This was the top price of the 494-lot sale after the failure of the projected best sellers, two low oak armchairs designed by Charles Rennie Mackintosh for Miss Cranston’s Argyle Street, Glasgow tearooms, each of which carried estimates of £40,000-60,000.
Elsewhere the strongest bidding came on the Lalique, confirming the resurgence of this market area after a depressive 1990s, driven mostly by American and English demand for the French glass. All but one of the 19 lots sold. Highlights included Bacchantes an 11in (24.5cm) high cylindrical vase moulded with a frieze of naked women which made £4500, Ceylan, a frosted and opalescent blue stained vase moulded with Budgerigars measuring 9in (23cm) high which attracted a double-estimate £2800 and Avallon, an opalescent, blue stained glass vase moulded with birds perched on berried branches, measuring
53/4in (14.5cm) high, which sold at £1200.
Elsewhere a frosted glass clock, Deux Colombes, moulded as opposed birds among prunus blossom, 8in (21cm) high, took £2000, Lutteurs, an frosted glass bowl of archaic form, 51/2in (14cm) high, the high foot moulded with a frieze of naked male figures, took £2600 and an 11in (27.5cm) diameter, frosted glass plafonnier known as Stalactites because of its serrated appendages attracted £1050.
Seeking enlightenment on lamp
One of the more mysterious objects at Lyon and Turnbull’s (17.5/10% buyer’s premium) decorative arts sale in Edinburgh on November 6 was this Art Nouveau pewter table lamp. Auctioneer John Mackie could not comment on why the futuristic design, measuring 2ft (60.5cm) high and apparantly unmarked, should have eclipsed a forecast of £300-500 and reached £6500.
