Auction alert: Claridge’s, The Connaught & The Berkeley

Five-star hotels offer superlative service and fine dining in luxury surroundings. Every so often, these establishments have major refits and redecorations to keep their appearance fresh and appealing. Rather than simply disposing of their old fixtures & fittings into bins and skips, often the outgoing items are sold off. This week we’re highlighting such an auction. NCM presents an exclusive sale on appointment of Maybourne Hotel Group – Claridge’s, The Connaught & The Berkeley Part 1. The event takes place on Thursday 27^th July 2023, from 11am.

Over 100 Years of Stored Surplus Assets Will Be Sold By Public Auction – Including Antique, Designer & Vintage Furniture, Lighting, Artwork and More!

The lot that caught my eye straight away was the set of Claridge’s crested crockery. I can just imagine enjoying a special birthday champagne breakfast (see lot #176) or perhaps an afternoon tea with pot of Darjeeling, scones and dainty sandwiches – off the fancy, gold-trimmed china… in the comfort of my own home. There are 16 separate lots of this crockery on offer – so lots of opportunities to win a set.

There will be 640 lots in this sale, mostly with no reserve and no estimates. Part 2 and part 3 sales are also planned, to end on 3^rd & 10^th August. There’s a buyer’s premium of 25% (ex. VAT). Bidding on this auction is also possible via iBidder and The Saleroom websites (with extra fees).

Lot 12: Set of Claridge’s crested crockery

To include:
• 4 x 31.5cm plates
• 4 x 25cm plates
• 4 x 18cm plates
• 4 x tea saucers
• 4 x coffee saucers
• 4 x espresso saucers
• 4 x soup dishes
• 4 x tea cups
• 4 x espresso cups
• 1 x large milk jug
• 1 x tea pot
• 1 x butter dish
• 1 x olive saucer
• 1 x bone dish
• 1 x double handed sauce pot

Lot 87: Vintage trunk

Leather style antique chest of drawers. Signs of general use. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 65cm
Width – 60cm
Depth – 50 cm

Lot 94: Davies & Brook salt dish x 6

New – boxed. Approximate dimensions:
Depth – 6cm

Lot 123: Bespoke Luisa Piexoto side table made for Claridge’s

Some signs of general use. Tag shown. Scratch on the surface as shown. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 51cm
Width – 70cm
Depth – 60cm

Lot 134: Pair of T shaped dining chairs from the Connaught

Oak frame. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 85cm
Width – 50cm
Depth – 55cm

Lot 176: Set of 6 French 1960s glass table lamps

Untested. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 46cm
Width – 12cm

Lot 263: Set of 4 Laurent Perrier champagne buckets

Various condition as shown. Please be aware that you are not bidding on the exact buckets shown but ones of the same specification and similar condition. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 22cm
Width – 19cm

Lot 265: Set of 4 Kick Sol garden chairs

Signs of general use. Metal frame, some missing feet and screws on the underside of seat/frame. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 86cm
Width – 46cm
Depth – 49cm

Lot 299: Vintage shelf with three shelves in wired glass

Signs of general use. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 69cm
Width – 59cm
Depth – 45cm

Lot 825: Pair of Le Corbusier LC2 style leather armchairs

With tubular chrome shaped frame. In fair condition. The pair would benefit from a clean. Leather, metal frame supports. Approximate dimensions:
Height – 68cm
Width – 78cm
Depth – 66cm

Sponsored: Dark and dramatic autumn table setting

It’s the first of September in a couple of days – and that means the meteorological start of autumn. As the evenings draw in, our minds turn to cosy nights indoors, warm blankets, wood-burning stoves, candles and fairy lights. And, of course, equally important – good hearty food and perhaps a glass of red wine or two. It’s the perfect time to invite family or friends over for an evening feast – an opportunity to celebrate the harvest season and all of nature’s bounty.

Nothing will suit the occasion more than a dark and dramatic autumn table setting! A black or dark grey tablecloth is the ideal backdrop – decorated and accessorised with antique brass candlesticks, feathers, fossils, pine cones, leaves, berries and fruit. Whatever you feel adds to the interest and drama for a special meal.

We’ve recently received some lovely tableware from Wayfair that is perfect for creating just the right style and atmosphere.

First, is this gorgeous burnished gold cutlery set by Viners. It’s titanium coated stainless steel and has a real feel of luxury and opulence. It’s just perfect for that celebratory meal – and we loved it combined with the other metallic tones that we incorporated into the table setting through candlesticks, ribbon and other trimmings. On a practical level, the coating creates exceptionally hard cutlery that is ten times more resistant to scratching than untreated stainless steel. It also helps prevent corrosion, rust and tarnishing.

The luxurious quality continues with the porcelain china dinner plates by Seltmann Weiden. There’s a crisp white central presentation area with an organic, flowing black border which frames the food like a picture. Again, absolutely perfect for creating the dramatic table setting. As with the cutlery, these don’t fail when it comes to practicality either – the plates have a scratch resistant surface, are dishwasher safe, oven safe and microwave safe.

Two lovely items that we’ll be able to enjoy year after year.

[disclosure*]

Price Points: Rectangular platters

You won’t believe what a tough time I’ve had trying to find a rectangular platter. Ever since I bought myself a rectangular loose-bottom baking tin, I’ve been looking for a plate, charger, platter… whatever, that can accommodate the full, uncut quiche / tart. The tin measures 31 x 21cm, so I need a plate that’s at least that big. A bit of a rim around it would be perfect.

The plain white rectangular platters I’ve finally found are all well and good, but it’s the vintage example with the pretty green & blue border that’s really taken my fancy.

Vintage Mikasa Mexicana by Ben Seibel rectangular serving platter (38 x 27cm): £21.67, Etsy
‘No Limits’ platter in white by Seltmann Weiden (36 x 24cm): £58.03, Wayfair
Denby large ‘Natural Canvas’ rectangular platter (39 x 26cm): £50, Debenhams

Duckydora dinner party

We’ve just received some lovely Sienna patterned tableware from duckydora.

It was put straight to use that evening as we were having pasta with some garlic bread and salad. It was absolutely perfect for serving.

This range is pared back, clean and simple with a modern, rustic feel. The bowl & plates are glazed terracotta in a lovely, soft baby blue shade – hand decorated with a repeating raindrop pattern. It’s photographed here with the complementing Florence tea towel which adds pretty stylised flowers to the scene.

This Sienna tableware is just one of a range of products available at the duckydora website.