2024 ended on a high at Trevanion Auctioneers’ two day pre – Christmas auction, with buyers from around the world keen to buy gifts of all kinds for their loved ones – and themselves!
Day one of the auction heralded a spectacular array of jewellery, silver and fine art, with some great results in all areas.
Leading the field was a much sought-after 9 carat gold Rolex Oyster Perpetual Datejust ‘Red’ wristwatch. Dating from the mid 20th century, the watch featured a circular patterned dial with arrow markers and an unusual red date aperture. ‘Rolexes of this period were considered the height of fashion at the time, and for many modern buyers remain the epitome of elegance and good taste,’ says watch valuer Amelia Tomkinson. ‘This piece was bought by the vendor’s father in the 1960s when he was working in the Far East, and travelled all over the world with him’. The watch attracted global interest, and eventually sold for £5000 plus fees to a Dutch buyer.
The jewellery section was led by an Edwardian style untested ruby and diamond ring with a 3 carat central stone surrounded by nine diamonds, which sold for £4200 plus fees. Also performing well was a mid 20th century 1.4 carat diamond solitaire ring set in 18ct white gold, which made £4000 plus fees.
Silver was also a strong seller, with a large Victorian hunting interest silver centrepiece made by London silversmiths Stephen Smith & William Nicholson in 1860 attracting much attention. The 41cm high centrepiece was modelled as a central tree trunk surrounded by a huntsman, hounds and fox, and was engraved ‘Presented by the members of the Tipperary Hunt, to their esteemed master & friend, John going ESQ, 6th May 1861’. The centrepiece sold for £3000 plus fees, while an unusual late 20th century silver and silver gilt figural chess set followed close behind, making £2600 plus fees.
Day one concluded with fine art, and it was a charming oil on canvas which stole bidders’ hearts. Painted by renowned Victorian artist Alfred Richardson Barber, the picture depicted rabbits stealing cabbage from a basket. ‘Barber didn’t only paint animals, but it’s his rabbits in particular which are sought after in today’s market’, commented art valuer Simon Grover. ‘This was a well balanced composition of a very cute subject, and the selling price of £2200 plus fees reflects this’.
Day two started with a fabulous collection of teddy bears by makers including Steiff and Charlie Bears Ltd. All consigned by one vendor, the eleven lots – all in beautiful condition – sold for a total of £2020 plus fees, while a single owner collection of model railway equipment made £1080 plus fees. A great deal of interest was also garnered by a collection of antique firearms, which included an early 19th century officer’s Flintlock pistol by London maker Prosser of Charing Cross, which sold for £850 plus fees, while the collection as a whole made £1880 plus fees.
The specialist clock section of the auction saw strong results, with a George III mahogany cased single fusee bracket or table clock with a dial signed ‘Joseph Eayre, St Noets’ selling for £750 plus fees. ‘The attraction of this clock was its beautiful case’ says clock valuer Ian Woodward. ‘We think the original movement was probably replaced by London retailers Percy Webster of Mayfair, but the case was so good that clock enthusiasts were still keen to own it’. Continuing the Georgian theme, a huge country house George III style gilt brass and nut brown leather club fender, made £750 plus fees, and a George III style camel back sofa upholstered in a parrot and foliage print fabric sold for £650 plus fees.
Perhaps the most unusual lot in the auction was an early 20th century painted papier mache ventriloquist’s dummy head with opening mouth and glancing glass eyes, possibly made by Alfred LeMare. ‘Alfred LeMare was a mid 19th century artisan who started out making props for theatres, before specialising in magic and ventriloquial goods which he sold from his shop in Manchester’ says Associate Director Ashley Jones. ‘Being made of papier mache, his pieces are extremely fragile, and it’s highly unusual for them to survive in working order, so it’s no surprise that this piece sold for £550 plus fees’.
‘Our bumper Christmas auction was an absolute extravaganza and one of my favourites of the year’, says Managing Partner Christina Trevanion. ‘Just browsing the catalogue filled me full of festive cheer, and it’s lovely to think of some of the wonderful pieces we sold appearing in Christmas stockings around the world!’
Trevanion Auctioneers’ next auction will be held on Wednesday 12th and Thursday 13th February 2025. The two day auction will feature a specialist jewellery and watches auction on day one, perfectly timed for the valentine in your life.
