Lichfield Winter Fine Arts auction is a high calibre cracker!
AS we say ‘going, going, gone!’ and prepare to throw the gavel down on another year, it’s certainly been a memorable 12 months.On top of a busy schedule of regular general sales and valuations at our Fradley Park HQ and at our new Tamworth auction house, we’ve been delighted to finish the year on a high with a wonderful Winter Fine Arts sale packed with luxury items.
From antique oil paintings and modern works of art to fine ceramics and a cellarful of wine and whisky, bidders from all over the world joined us online and over the telephone for the sale live from The Lichfield Auction Centre.
Appropriately enough for such a high calibre spectacle, one of the highlights was a handsome antique Tranter revolver.
The third model Tranter revolver circa 1860 which sold for £4,000.
The 54 bore percussion pistol, a rare third model from around 1860, was in fine condition retaining virtually all its original finish and came in its original mahogany case with a full set of accessories.
After an intense bidding battle, the revolver finally sold to a bidder on the internet for £4,000.
Also in the antique guns section, Colt and Remington models from the 1850s each sold for £1,100 and a Harvey's patent 1st model revolver – very few of which are known to exist – made £950.
A Royal Doulton prototype by Stanley Thorogood of Joan Of Arc on horseback, signed and dated 1919, sold at £3,200.
Lots of energy conveyed in the Royal Doulton prototype by Stanley Thorogood of Joan Of Arc on horseback, signed and dated 1919, was marvellously mirrored as bids flew in online, in the room and on the phone, charging to a final hammer price of £3,200.
A Della Robbia Pottery slender bottle vase made £1,400, two handbuilt live steam models totalled £2,700 and a 1950s Heuer chronograph sold at £1,200.
This 1950s Heuer chronograph sold at £1,200.
It was a great day for paintings too, with 'Native Air', a 91cm-square colourful abstract landscape by David Prentice selling for £2,000 to a telephone bidder and 'The Gateway, Tunis' by Sir Hubert von Herkomer taking £2,300.
There was also a flurry of bids for an early Victorian painting by George Jackson, finally knocked down for £1,350.
'The Gateway, Tunis' by Sir Hubert von Herkomer sold at £2,300.
Furnishings under the hammer on the day included a pair of Regency window seats, selling at £1,500, a tree of life silk rug, sold for £1,300, and a Victorian breakfront credenza, which made £1,000.
With international interest from America and Ireland, an eclectic archive of Dublin's Abbey Theatre achieved a total hammer price of £1,080 and everyone said a special ‘cheers’ to the wines and whisky section, which served up a record 100 per cent selling rate!
‘Native Air' by David Prentice went under the hammer for £2,000.
Free quotations for house clearances, probate services and in-person valuations of any item at The Lichfield Auction Centre, Wood End Lane, Fradley Park, can be booked on 01543 251081 or by email to office@richardwinterton.co.uk.
Free valuations for pictures, ceramics, watches, jewellery and collectables of all types can also be booked at the new Tamworth saleroom at 34-35 Church Street – telephone 01827 217746 or email tamworth@richardwinterton.co.uk.
Home visits for bulky items or large collections and appointments to view pre-sale are available to arrange, too.
Online catalogues can be viewed via our Auction Dates page.
We break up for Christmas on Tuesday, December 21, returning on Tuesday, January 4.