£3K SMASHED VASES STEEL THE SHOW!

Trade was brisk at Richard Winterton’s Fine, Decorative Arts & Jewels Auction this week. Only a few Lots remained unsold with the majority finding buyers as far as New York, Australia and Hawaii. These auctions now accommodate live bidding which means international buyers can participate in the auction in real time.

The sale only included handpicked items representing the very best of consignments from local private individuals and deceased estates. Fine modern and antique jewellery, gold, silver, ceramics, glass, pictures and antique furniture were all on offer with sensible estimates which paid off.

Highlights included Lot 18, ten boxed Victorian sovereigns at £1,000 and Lot 26, a 1930’s Art Deco diamond and sapphire ring (pictured right) at £1,300. Lot 155, a Stourbridge cameo glass vase, c.1880 had been discovered amongst the effects from a Lichfield deceased estate. Attributed to the firm of Thomas Webb, cameo glass in all its forms is extremely sought after so it was no surprise that this good example sold for £1,400. Lot 186, a small Royal Doulton model of a polar bear (top left), measuring only 10cm high covered in a rich metallic lustre glaze was thought to date from the early twentieth century probably modelled by Charles Noke. It flew past the estimate to bring £2,600.

The real star of the auction was Lot 100, a pair of Minton Aesthetic Movement vases (bottom left) dating from 1873. Both had been previously smashed and restored with the old staple method. These defects did not deter buyers as the design was attributed to the UK’s most important industrial designer of the late nineteenth century, Dr Christopher Dresser. Dresser designed these vases using influences from the orient, Persia and even Egypt. Known as ‘cloisonné ware’, they were discovered on a routine valuation day held at the Burton On Trent Saleroom one Friday. After much pre-sale interest, bidders battled it out with the gavel eventually falling to a New York buyer paying a total of £3,500.

The next Fine, Decorative Arts & Jewels Sale is 19th June. Entries are currently being invited. Please contact Adrian Rathbone, (Associate) on 01283 511224 for further information.