Count Bruhl’s Tailor – £7000 at Gildings.
A late 19th century version of Kaendler’s original, it was a large example at 17¼in (44cm) high and was incised 107, but had suffered damage and losses.
There was a broken section to the sash across the tailor’s chest, the large scissors were loose as well as lacking their blades, and there were various losses elsewhere.
Nevertheless, the figure, with its well-known back story of a social-climbing tailor, is almost always popular.
At the Market Harborough sale, UK and European bidders were interested in the figure estimated at £3000-5000 but, in another indication that the Americans are returning to the British market, it went to a US dealer at £7000.
