Dreweatts

Much of the market for ‘country house’ antiques is now in the hands of UK’s regional auctioneers. Here we review two recent bellwether sales.

Chairs and sofas by Howard & Sons are a pricey niche market these days, largely immune to the varying fortunes of the wider market for Victorian and Edwardian furniture.

The highlight of the sale of Fine Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments at Dreweatts was this French mantel clock with orrery c.1810. Although unsigned, it is thought to be by the talented Paris clockmaker Antide Janvier (1751-1835).

Recent picture highlights at auction include works by artist renowned for his poultry depictions and writing on the subject

Vases tell the story of an obsession to recreate a celebrated antiquity

German artist Hans Bellmer (1902-75) explored themes of desire, sexuality and the subconscious mind through his surrealistic sculptures, drawings and photographs.

The market has certainly been challenging but recent results allied with metal prices give encouraging grounds for optimism

Dreweatts’ (26/25% buyer’s premium) Fine Jewellery, Silver, Watches and Objects of Vertu sale of June 18 offered only 35 lots of silver but all were good quality and many rare in form.

This rare Chelsea porcelain leaf-moulded teapot and cover came between a goat-and-bee jug and a crayfish salt.

Dreweatts’ (26/25/20/12.5% buyer’s premium) single-owner dispersal of items from Bussock Wood on June 4 included significant works from the Modern British canon.

The Dreweatts (26% buyer’s premium) sale on June 18 included two Cartier brooches commissioned by Sir Stephen Courtauld to designs inspired by Eltham Palace.

Two days needed to disperse items collected over generations thanks to biscuit production success

Serpenti jewels, which followed the launch of Bulgari’s signature gold Tubogas bracelets in the late 1940s, were featured in Vogue and other fashion magazines on countless occasions in the Sixties.

Count Manfredi Della Gherardesca 's collection offers old and new mix of more than 400 varied lots

Dreweatts and Christie’s will jointly sell the Stanley Goldfein collection of ceramics across two sales this year.

Roseberys and Dreweatts both posted two six-figure prices during the spring round of UK regional Asian art sales.