As English period furniture is the mainstay of this fair, it was fitting that a big-ticket early sale came for a pair of George III carved giltwood armchairs in the manner of Thomas Chippendale (one shown here), sold for an asking price of £350,000 to a private collector by London dealer Frank Partridge.
The c.1765 chairs are closely related to one of eight designs for 'French Chairs' in the 1753 first edition of Thomas Chippendale's The Gentleman & Cabinet-Maker's Director.
The French Rococo-inspired chairs, which stand 3ft 4in (1.02m) high and are covered in contemporary 18th century needlework, are part of a suite of 12 chairs reputedly supplied to Robert Clive, 1st Baron Clive of Plassey (1725-74) for his lavish renovation of Walcot Hall in Shropshire.
Better known as 'Clive of India' after making his fortune as a military tactician protecting the interests of the East India Company in India during the mid 18th century, he used this wealth to purchase numerous large estates around England.
Frank Partridge also won the Object of the Fair award for his c.1680 rosewood and princeswood cabinet, embellished with pietre dura panels, described by the judges as "a work that combines exceptional quality with historic rarity".
Second prize went to Strachan Fine Art of London for Portrait of George Brooke, 9th Baron Cobham (1497-1558) by a Follower of Hans Holbein the Younger, while third was shared by John Howard of Woodstock for a large 19th century stoneware ewer made by W. Powell Pottery of Bristol and Witney Antiques from Oxfordshire for a c.1660 English embroidery c1660 depicting King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba.
A special mention was given to Sandra Lipton of London for her exhibition of English medieval horse harness pendants.
Best Stand went to W.W. Warner Antiques of Kent for "A most exciting and elegant display of porcelain", which may have aided their 36 sales on the opening day. Meanwhile, second place went to Anthony Woodburn of Lewes and third to Rogers de Rin of London.
