Marilyn Swain, Grantham, May 21, Buyer’s premium: 15 per cent
Both had urn-shaped cistern covers, broken swan neck pediments, and with ivory finials and silvered dials. One inscribed for Webster of London sold at £3800 (estimate £1800-2500). The other by the Dublin family makers, T. and J. Mason, took £5000 (estimate £2000-3000).
Sold locally at £8600 (estimate £4000-6000) was a late 18th century, seven-day regulator longcase by B. Smarte of London. An attractive and well-figured, 6ft 3in (2m) mahogany case owed much of its elegance to a shallow curve to the hood flanked by fluted brass-filled canted corners.
A version of the scarce Royal Doulton figure, the 113/4in (24cm) high Huntsman, (known from 1930 to 1937 as John Peel before the makers realised the great man hunted on foot) sold at £2200 (estimate £300-500).
An example of its partnering figure of a gentleman on a grey horse, originally titled Hunting Squire (HN 1409) and renamed The Squire (HN 1814), sold at £2400 (estimate £300-500).
Barometers give business climate a boost at Grantham
Two very good stick barometers, in the popular 1820s form with bowfront and ebony-inlaid mahogany cases, were among the highlights at Grantham.
