Global interest and demand for collectables
July 2024
Quality and variety were the hallmarks of Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s latest sale of collectables and selected antiques in the accessible and comfortable surroundings of the Somerset Auction Rooms at North Petherton.
Leading the way was a 19th Century Gothic Revival papier-mâché chess casket, by Jaques, which was spotted by the firm’s specialist valuer on a routine house call in Taunton. Unassuming in appearance, and with some structural damage, this nevertheless attracted international interest, eventually selling to a buyer on-line, in Canada, for £2,000.
A group of late 19th Century silver and bronze photographic medals also out-performed their pre-sale estimate. Extensively catalogued and pictured in detail these, too, drew global demand, and sold to a collector in Australia for £1,500.
The coin and medal sections were sell-out successes and, as always, the toys and models did well. This is an area in which GTH has considerable in-house expertise and, to underline the point, a group of four tinplate toys, discovered in a mixed, general consignment of goods, realised a combined £1,335. A fine Pocher kit-built Rolls Royce Torpedo Cabriolet Phantom II made £500 and a similar Bugatti Type 50T was not far behind at £480, while the latest instalment from a single-owner collection of diecast model vehicles added another £2,100 to the vendor’s growing return.
The sale finished with a flourish as a selection of Chinese works of art came under the hammer. Among them were what a casual observer might have assumed were four wooden napkin rings but which research revealed to be carved coconut archer’s thumb rings from the late Qing dynasty. Keenly contested between the internet and the telephones bidding for these intricately decorated pieces climaxed at £1,250. A small group of embroidered silk fan cases and purses fetched £680, and a pair of large blue and white jars and covers made £900.
Entries are already being accepted for the next specialist Collector’s Sale, on 28th August. For free, professional advice contact the saleroom at [email protected], via the website, or on 01278 410250.
Leading the way was a 19th Century Gothic Revival papier-mâché chess casket, by Jaques, which was spotted by the firm’s specialist valuer on a routine house call in Taunton. Unassuming in appearance, and with some structural damage, this nevertheless attracted international interest, eventually selling to a buyer on-line, in Canada, for £2,000.
A group of late 19th Century silver and bronze photographic medals also out-performed their pre-sale estimate. Extensively catalogued and pictured in detail these, too, drew global demand, and sold to a collector in Australia for £1,500.
The coin and medal sections were sell-out successes and, as always, the toys and models did well. This is an area in which GTH has considerable in-house expertise and, to underline the point, a group of four tinplate toys, discovered in a mixed, general consignment of goods, realised a combined £1,335. A fine Pocher kit-built Rolls Royce Torpedo Cabriolet Phantom II made £500 and a similar Bugatti Type 50T was not far behind at £480, while the latest instalment from a single-owner collection of diecast model vehicles added another £2,100 to the vendor’s growing return.
The sale finished with a flourish as a selection of Chinese works of art came under the hammer. Among them were what a casual observer might have assumed were four wooden napkin rings but which research revealed to be carved coconut archer’s thumb rings from the late Qing dynasty. Keenly contested between the internet and the telephones bidding for these intricately decorated pieces climaxed at £1,250. A small group of embroidered silk fan cases and purses fetched £680, and a pair of large blue and white jars and covers made £900.
Entries are already being accepted for the next specialist Collector’s Sale, on 28th August. For free, professional advice contact the saleroom at [email protected], via the website, or on 01278 410250.