Auction alert: The Contents of a Country House

Four pairs of antique treen boot trees

I do love a ready-made group of vintage items; handbags, copper jelly moulds, antique ironstone. There are so many types of collections from which to choose at the upcoming sale that we’re highlighting today; ironstone jugs, brass candlesticks, galvanised zinc buckets, shoe lasts, pen knives… The lot that jumped out, though, was the large piece by Rosslyn Ruiz – I recognised her work immediately; we once owned a similar piece – but it was orange.

To The Manor Born, The Contents of a Country House and Much Much More! takes place at John Rolfe Auctions in Tetbury, Gloucestershire. It’s scheduled for Saturday 21st October 2023, from 10am. In total, there are 1249 lots going under the hammer:

Watches, Clocks, Jewellery, Silver, Luggage, Ceramics, Glass, Treen, Metalware, Walking Sticks and MORE

Bid online at Easy Live Auction (fees apply).

Seiko AKA Alba stainless steel gents 'Space Watch'

Lot 19: Seiko AKA Alba stainless steel gents ‘Space Watch’

W670-4000, box and instructions in working order
Estimate: £100 – £200

Beautiful 1940s brown snakeskin bag by Mappin & Webb

Lot 363: A beautiful 1940s brown snakeskin bag by Mappin & Webb

Hardware in gilt metal with strong clasp opening to the top which opens up to a pale tan suede interior with zip pocket and further two patch pockets. 
26 x 19 x 7cm. Handle height 15cm. Suede lining has small pen ink mark towards the base of the bag but otherwise no stains or discolouration
Estimate: £60 – £80

Good terracotta dairy bowl

Lot 413: Good terracotta dairy bowl

With yellow glazed interior, 45cm diameter x 23cm high
Estimate: £50 – £80

Collection of seven ironstone jugs

Lot 417: Collection of seven ironstone jugs

With relief banded decoration, the largest 23cm high, with a further Booths ironstone jelly mould (8)
Estimate: £40 – £80

Four good quality pestle and mortars of varying sizes

Lot 481: Four good quality pestle and mortars of varying sizes

Diameter 24cm / 21cm / 18.5cm / 17cm
Estimate: £40 – £60

Four pairs of antique treen boot trees

Lot 597: Four pairs of antique treen boot trees (8)

Estimate: £100 – £150

Stanford's general map of Great Britain together with a similar insect study

Lot 687: Stanford’s general map of Great Britain

Laid and rolled on linen for a school room, 115cm x 93cm, together with a similar insect study rolled on linen (2)
Estimate: £30 – £50

4 vintage birdcages

Lot 711: 4 vintage birdcages

Estimate: £50 – £80

Collection of seven vintage galvanised watering cans

Lot 1109: Collection of seven vintage galvanised watering cans (7)

Estimate: £40 – £60

Pair of Herbert Terry angle poise articulated desk lamps

Lot 1166: Pair of Herbert Terry angle poise articulated desk lamps

On stepped square bases with stripped and polished finish (2)
Estimate: £200 – £300

Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen - PH lamp

Lot 1191: Poul Henningsen for Louis Poulsen – PH lamp

In red and blue, 50cm diameter
Estimate: £100 – £200

Cool 1960s rocket floor lamp with pierced copper shade

Lot 1220: Cool 1960s rocket floor lamp

With pierced copper shade, 135cm high
Estimate: £60 – £100

Rosslyn Ruiz: large abstract relief on board

Lot 1245: Rosslyn Ruiz (b. 1935)

Large abstract relief on board, signed, 46cm x 121cm, framed
Estimate: £200 – £400

Auction alert: Autumn Fine Art Sales

DAME LUCIE RIE - PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL

Coming up soon are Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne’s Autumn Fine Art Sales, October 2022. There are a total of 1,408 lots being sold over four days, so we’re concentrating on day two which is Pictures, 19th/20th Century Design & Ceramics. It takes place on Wednesday 12th October 2022 from 10am.

As usual, we’ve selected a handful of items that stood out to us; fine art paintings, studio pottery, vintage furniture. Two lots, in particular, we chose because of their importance in the social history of the UK.

First, is a very nondescript looking teacup & saucer. They’re marked with the logo of the British Antarctic Expedition, Terra Nova. This was an ill-fated trip led by Captain Robert Falcon Scott, an attempt be the first to ever reach the geographic South Pole. A group from Norway beat them to their destination by over a month. All 5 men on the British team died on the return leg of the journey.

Second, is a blue & white transfer printed teapot. It’s decorated with anti-slavery text. On two sides is printed, ‘Ladies I hope you will make free and tell me how you like your tea’. On the inside you’ll find the maxim, ‘Health to the sick, Honour to the brave, Success to the lover, and Freedom to the slave’. A very forthright message to be subtly shared by a 19th century society hostess with her lady friends who are visiting for tea and sandwiches.

BERNARD BUFFET - 'IRONS'

Lot 465: BERNARD BUFFET (1928-1999). IRONS (Sorlier 13)
Colour lithograph, 1955, signed and numbered 276/300 
48 x 69.5cm approx.
Condition: A few faint grazes within image; some handling creases; needs a light clean.
Estimate: £200 – £300

JOHN BROMFIELD 'BROM' GAY-REES - 'STILL LIFE WITH WINE BOTTLE, FRUIT AND A BOOK'

Lot 502: JOHN BROMFIELD ‘BROM’ GAY-REES (1912-1965). STILL LIFE WITH WINE BOTTLE, FRUIT AND A BOOK
Signed and dated 15.X.53, oil on canvas board . 34.5 x 45cm. 
Provenance: The family of the artist
Condition: Good condition.
Estimate: £300 – £500

PETER BROOK 'PENNINE VALLEY OF WHITE FARMS'

Lot 562: PETER BROOK (1927-2009) – ‘PENNINE VALLEY OF WHITE FARMS’
Signed, inscribed with title, oil on canvas 
30 x 38cm. 
Provenance: London, Thos. Agnew & Sons Ltd (stock 43684).
Condition: A few small spattered marks.
Estimate: £12,000 – £18,000

SIR KYFFIN WILIAMS, OBE, RA - 'PEN Y BRYN'

Lot 571: SIR KYFFIN WILIAMS, OBE, RA (1918-2006) – ‘PEN Y BRYN’
Signed with initials, inscribed with title in ballpoint pen on the overlap, oil on canvas, hand painted frame 
50 x 60cm.
Condition: Needs a very light clean.
Estimate: £16,000 – £20,000

ARKANA - RETRO 'MUSHROOM' CHAIRS & MATCHING TABLE

Lot 650: ARKANA – RETRO ‘MUSHROOM’ CHAIRS & MATCHING TABLE
A pair of ‘Mushroom’ shaped black chairs designed by Maurice Burke, with conical shaped bases and orange cushions. Also with a matching conical shaped table. Chairs stamped ‘Arkana, Bath, GB, Des Reg No 937057 & 937288, Process Pat Pending. Chairs 77cms high, Table 53cms high, 45cms diameter.
Condition: Age related wear as you would expect over time.
Estimate: £100 – £150

ARTS & CRAFTS ORKNEY CHAIR

Lot 652: ARTS & CRAFTS ORKNEY CHAIR
An antique stained pine chair with a curved woven back, the chair with scroll arms and a drop in woven and wooden seat. 107cms high, top of the chair 62cms across.
Condition: The rush seat is a little worn and needs a little work, otherwise in pretty good condition for its age.
Estimate: £200 – £300

DAME LUCIE RIE - PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL

Lot 662: DAME LUCIE RIE (AUSTRIAN/BRITISH 1902-1995) – PORCELAIN FOOTED BOWL
A porcelain footed bowl with a turquoise glaze and manganese drip effect rim, with a straight foot and unglazed footrim. Seal mark to the base, Diameter 13.5cms, 10.5cms high. 
*Artist Resale Rights applies to this lot.
Condition: Condition is good, rings nicely and no noticeable chips or damages. There is a couple of letters on the base, I think from a security pen in case of theft.
Estimate: £5,000 – £7,000

ALAN WALLWORK - LARGE STUDIO POTTERY VASE

Lot 658: ALAN WALLWORK (BRITISH 1931-2019) – LARGE STUDIO POTTERY VASE
A large ‘Pebble’ vase with curved sides and small aperture to the top section. Incised mark to the base ‘AW’, and with original paper label ‘Alan Wallwork Ceramics, Tel Lyme Regis 2756’. 30cms high 
*This lot qualifies for Artists Resale Rights.
Condition:Generally seems fine, small firing crack to the inside and base of the vase from manufacture.
Estimate: £400 – £600

PETER LAYTON (B 1937) - LARGE CONTEMPORARY GLASS VASE, 2006

Lot 737: PETER LAYTON (B 1937) – LARGE CONTEMPORARY GLASS VASE, 2006
A large heart shaped glass vase with small aperture, the ruby red glass with stripes of blue and yellow. Etched mark, ‘Peter Layton, 2006’. 25cms high, 28cms across 
*Artists Resale Rights applies to this lot.
Condition: Generally good, the odd minor scratch and some wear to the base.
Estimate: £200 – £300

19thC BLUE & WHITE TRANSFER PRINTED TEA KETTLE - ANTI-SLAVERY

Lot 797: 19THC BLUE & WHITE TRANSFER PRINTED TEA KETTLE – ANTI SLAVERY
An interesting large blue and tea kettle, with a verse on each side ‘Ladies I hope you will make free and tell me how you like your tea’, and with a motto inside ‘Health to the sick, Honour to the brave, Success to the lover, and Freedom to the slave’. With a transfer printed design with animals and figures within a landscape scene, the lid with the initials ‘W H’ on the inside, possibly for William Hackwood. 27cms high.
Condition: Lid, small area to the rim repaired, small chip to underneath the finial. Tea kettle, area of restoration at the base of the spout as it joins the body, this restoration is more visible inside right around the hole. Firing crack on the inside of the spout visible inside.
Estimate: £100 – £200

BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION 'TERRA NOVA' - CUP & SAUCER BY DUNN BENNETT & CO.

Lot 800: BRITISH ANTARCTIC EXPEDITION ‘TERRA NOVA’ – CUP & SAUCER BY DUNN BENNETT & CO.
A rare matching earthenware cup and saucer, made for the wardroom of the Terra Nova. Both with a crest marked ‘British Antarctic Expedition, Terra Nova’ and with a penguin standing on a rock, and with a blue border around the rim. Printed mark to the base, ‘Real Ironstone China, Dunn Bennett & Co, Burslem, England’. Saucer 14cms diameter.
Condition: Saucer, star crack to the base and crazing to the centre. Cup, 3 hairline cracks running from the rim downwards, general crazing.
Estimate: £400 – £600

Auction alert: September Fine Art & Antique auction

Seven Cornishware storage jars

Trevanion & Dean‘s September Fine Art & Antique auction takes place on Wednesday 14th September 2022 from 9am. A total of 761 lots are up for sale, we’ve picked out a dozen below that we like and thought you would too.

There’s a good mix of vintage & antique jewellery, fine art, furniture and other quality collectables. If you’re a James Bond fan, there are a number of 1st edition, hardback books by Ian Fleming. Lots of pretty jewellery – of course, I had to include a little Art Deco something here. I’ve been on the look out for vintage ceramic storage jars; in particular – raisins, currants and sultanas. I can never find a matching trio… but these for sale here are in T G Green’s blue – not a colourway I want. My search continues!

Bid via the Trevanion website where you’ll be charged a buyer’s commission charge of 20% + VAT plus an additional 2% + VAT. Alternatively, you can bid via The Saleroom or EasyLiveAuction. Please check each website for their added bidding fees.
As far as the auction house’s shipping policy goes, this is what they state:

Trevanion Auctioneers offer a limited in-house P&P service for small, non-breakable items during the 2 days following the auction only. We use Royal Mail Special Delivery for goods up to a value of £2000 weighing no more than 2kg.

Art Deco diamond, sapphire and emerald bow brooch

Lot 97: An Art Deco diamond, sapphire and emerald bow brooch
The central round old cut diamond weighing approximately 0.20 – 0.25 carats, bezel set with a bow shaped surround set with old cut diamonds, interspersed by baguette cut sapphires and emeralds, all set in white metal, with hinged and safety loop fastening to reverse, 65mm wide, weight 10.7gms (at fault)
Estimate £300 – £500

Rolls Royce chrome decanter

Lot 152: Classic Stable Ltd Rolls-Royce chrome decanter
In the form of a radiator, ‘Spirit of Ecstasy’ mascot fitted to the screw top, label to base numbered ‘RGC B339’, 24.5cm high
Estimate £200 – £300

The geese are getting fat artwork

Lot 263: After Rosemary Myers (British, 20th century), “The geese are getting fat”
Limited edition woodblock print on paper, unsigned, numbered “35/100”, 18cm x 24.5cm, framed and glazed
Estimate £50 – £100

1st edition copy of Ian Fleming's GOLDFINGER

Lot 273: JAMES BOND INTEREST: Fleming (Ian), GOLDFINGER
First edition, first printing, black cloth boards, cover with embossed skull with gold coins to the eyes, gilt title to spine, binding appears to be first state with small additional embossed line to top left of skull, plain white endpapers, original Richard Chopping DJ, unclipped price 15s net, front flap with introductory blurb and Doctor No review, rear flap with reviews for The Diamond Smugglers, back panel with five reviews, Jonathan Cape, London 1959
Estimate £300 – £500

Seven Cornishware storage jars

Lot 340: Seven Cornishware jars and covers by Green & Co Ltd
Of typical blue and white striped design, one each for salt, raisins, sultanas, lump sugar, sago, currants and rice, smallest 14.3cm high, largest 16cm high (7) (at fault)
Estimate £60 – £100

Joan Carrillo terracotta vase

Lot 394: Joan Carrillo (Spanish, b.1948), a terracotta vase
Mid-20th century, of ovoid form with narrow neck and flared rim, textured blue and white banded glaze, incised signature to base, 21cm high
Estimate £80 – £120

Tapio Wirkkala glass vase

Lot 410: Tapio Wirkkala (1915 – 1985) for Iittala, a glass vase
Of waisted cylindrical form with etched reeded detail, engraved signature to base, 13cm high
Estimate £100 – £200

Domed canvas motoring trunk

Lot 458: An early 20th century domed canvas motoring trunk
Applied with tan leather fittings and trim, opening to a removable tray, 59cm H x 69cm W x 51cm D (at fault)
Estimate £60 – £100

Rustic pine dog cart

Lot 465: A rustic pine dog cart
Of typical tapering slatted form, upon an articulated front axle and iron bound spoked wooden wheels, carriage length 80cm, total length 190cm, width 70cm
Estimate £100 – £150

An architectural model of a corner shop

Lot 506: An architectural model of a corner shop
20th century, constructed from plywood with strip wood and beading details, the hinged frontage opening to two floors, 32cm W x 33.5cm D x 59.5cm H
Estimate £60 – £100

Victor V Wilkins for G-Plan 1970s teak oval coffee table

Lot 744: A Victor V Wilkins for G-Plan 1970’s teak oval coffee table
Astro model 8040, 42cm H x 122cm W x 66cm D
Estimate £100 – £200

4 x Harry Bertoia 420 wirework side chairs

Lot 748: Harry Bertoia for Knoll, a set of four black vinyl coated model 420 wirework side chairs
Late 20th/early 21st century, each with a branded seat pad, impressed makers mark to the rear of all chairs, 72cm high (4)
Estimate £400 – £600

Auction alert: Antiques, Collectables & General sale including jewellery

Bottle of Napoleon Sempe Armagnac

Eastbourne Auction will shortly be holding their Antiques, Collectables & General including jewellery sale. The online only auction starts on Wednesday 7th September 2022 from 10am. A humongous 2,454 lots will be available over the 3-day event.

There are a few of our regular favourites up for grabs; Troika studio pottery, Whitefriars studio glass and quite a few lots of various light elm Ercol furniture. One of my favourite items is the unusual Bernard Rooke vase.

The buyer’s premium stands at 30% inc. VAT (with a minimum of £2.40 per lot). Bidding is also available via The Saleroom and EasyLiveAuction. Please check each website’s additional charges.

We can arrange packing and / or shipping on your behalf for smaller non fragile items. We will email you a quote detailing the shipping method, and will ship when you have approved and paid for this service… For fragile and larger items we recommend Mailboxes Tunbridge Wells.

Troika St Ives Pottery cube vase

Lot 2: Troika St Ives Pottery cube vase
Hand painted with circles, 8cm high
Estimate: £50 – £100

Whitefriars bamboo glass vase

Lot 5: Geoffrey Baxter for Whitefriars bamboo glass vase
In indigo or pewter, 20.5cm high
Estimate: £80 – £150

Laurence Stephen Lowry - 'Level crossing with train'

Lot 15: Laurence Stephen Lowry – ‘Level crossing with train’
Pencil signed print in colour, Salford Museum and Art Gallery, published by Patrick Searle 1973, mounted, framed and glazed, 59cm x 48cm excluding the mount and frame
Estimate: £1,000 – £2,000

Oiva Toikka for Iittala, Finnish glass bird paperweight

Lot 27: Oiva Toikka for Iittala, Finnish glass bird paperweight
Paper label and signed to the base, 14cm in length
Estimate: £30 – £50

Square silver plated mirrored cake stand

Lot 55: Square silver plated mirrored cake stand
Relief decorated with grapes on a vine, housed in a painted wood box with brass handles, the stand 14cm H x 46cm W x 46cm D
Estimate: £40 – £80

Bottle of Napoleon Sempe Armagnac

Lot 121: Bottle of Napoleon Sempe Armagnac
Housed in a Baccarat decanter
Estimate: £40 – £80

Bernard Rooke, studio pottery vase

Lot 169: Bernard Rooke, studio pottery vase
Decorated in relief with fossils, impressed mark around the footrim, 13.5cm high
Estimate: £30 – £50

Soholm, Danish mid century style wall plaque

Lot 246: Soholm, Danish mid century style wall plaque
Enamelled with flowers, impressed marks to the reverse, 33.5cm x 33cm
Estimate: £30 – £50

After Eric Ravilious - British Pavilion brochure 1939

Lot 377: After Eric Ravilious – British Pavilion brochure 1939
Woodcut engraving in colour, mounted, framed and glazed, 20.5cm x 13.5cm excluding the mount and frame
Estimate: £50 – £100

Eight vintage Homepride Spillers figures

Lot 627: Eight vintage Homepride Spillers figures
10.5cm high
Estimate: £20 – £40

Set of six Ercol ash and light elm stacking chairs

Lot 791: Set of six Ercol ash and light elm stacking chairs
74cm high
Estimate: £200 – £400

Scandinavian mid century design plaque

Lot 909: Scandinavian mid century design plaque
Hand painted with a female and stylised birds, signed F Ruth, 37cm x 25cm
Estimate: £30 – £50