Our Autumn Fine Art & Antiques Auction produced strong results across all departments, signalling a strong appetite for fine works from sought-after artists and designers.
Atmospheric Scottish landscapes constituted some of the top-performing lots in our Paintings department. William Turner of Oxford’s mystical depiction of the famous Loch Coruisk, soared past its estimate, selling for £4,508*, while Joan Faed’s Robert Burns-inspired work of a maiden relaxing beside the Logan Water sold for £2,576*. Two depictions of the Bass Rock, one by Reverend John Thomson of Duddingston and the other by Mcneil Macleay performed well, selling for £1,159* and £1,545* respectively. Alexander Nasmyth’s magnificent rendition of Edinburgh Castle attracted international interest, selling for £4,894*.
Sold: £4,508* Sold: £4,894* Sold: £2,576*
Signalled by strong prices throughout the sale, the interest and appetite for collecting Scottish Contemporary Art is continuing to climb. Anthony Scullion’s Head in Blue (£708*), James McDonald’s Books (£669*) and Kenny Hunter’s Classical Head (£1,545*), were some of the stand-out lots of the day.
A plethora of works from Glasgow School of Art Graduate Peter Thomson garnered significant attention, achieving a collective price of £2,680* for the selection.
Sold: £1,545* Sold: £708* Sold (collective price): £2,680*
Traditional portraiture of top quality proved to be popular as ever, with Louise Jopling’s elegant depiction thought to be Jessie Bullough of Argyll selling for £4,894*.
The top-selling lot in the paintings department was a superb work by Dorothea Sharp, achieving a strong market price of £15,456*.
Sold: £4,894* Sold: £15,456*
Gold jewellery and objects of vertu achieved weighty prices, influenced by the high price of the precious metal, with a charming sunray pattern cigarette case achieving £2,704*.
Quality diamonds and coloured gemstones commanded strong prices. A striking demantoid garnet and diamond ring sold for £1,223*, a tourmaline and diamond example for £1,803*, and a ruby and diamond twin stone for £2,833*. A three stone ring claimed the top spot, selling for £6,182*.
Sold: £2,704* Sold: £1,223* Sold: £6,182*
The esteemed firms of Rolex and Omega continue to prove their enduring popularity in our Watches department. An Automatic Seamaster jumped past it’s estimate, selling for £3,992*, a bi-colour Perpetual Datejust achieved £2,447*, while an Oyster Submarine achieved £6,182*.
Sold: £3,992* Sold: £6,182*
Standout pieces from a variety of periods were the highlights in our Furniture department. An architectural model of a staircase more than doubled its high estimate, selling for £1,030*. An impressive Gothic revival lectern, decorated with an eagle and inscribed with a church inscription flew to £5,409*, claiming the top spot of the department.
Sold: £1,030* Sold: £5,409*
A specialist Arts & Crafts section filled with a variety of decorative delights was a great success on day one of our sale. Some highlights included a Fred Passenger designed bowl for William De Morgan, whimsical book covers by Talwin Morris and Jessie M. King. Furniture & rugs from William Morris, one of the names synonymous with the Arts & Crafts movement, were the star lots of the section. Pieces from Morris included two pairs of Sussex chairs as well as rugs in the famous Tulip & Lily and Hammersmith patterns. The section achieved £16,705*.
Sold (collective price): £16,705*
A selection of Studio glass from Sam Herman, considering the founding father of the movement, ignited the interest of collectors in our Decorative Arts department. Three pieces, two globular vases and a striking yellow dish, sold for a total of £1,738*. Glass from Mdina designed by Eric Dobson as well as Lalique pieces were also sought-after, with an onion vase selling for £309* and a Coquille plate for £283*. The top-selling lots included a Franz Bergman horse, which galloped to £1,228*, and a set of flower-handled Paragon cups and saucers, achieving the same price.
Sold (collective price): £1,738* Sold: £1,228* Sold: £1,228*
A private collection of charming animal figures from the Zimbabwean silversmith Patrick Mavros were popular features in our Silver department. With renditions of lions, elephants, leopards and warthogs, the collection achieved £2,704*.
Sold (collective price): £2,704*
The department also featured silver from across the globe. Examples included a Russian silver throne salt (£1,159*), a Chinese export silver christening mug (£618*), a pair of French silver plates (£837*) and a Thai gilded silver offering jar (£515*).
Famous makers from past and present also achieved strong prices. A pair of Aurum commemorative goblets designed by Hector Miller sold for £901*, while the top-selling lot was a five piece silver-gilt tea service by Garrard, achieving £3,606*.
Sold: £901* Sold: £1,159* Sold: £3,606*
Gold coins both old and new produced consistently strong results within the department. A James I 1 Unite sold for £1,545*, Elizabeth II sovereigns achieved £708*, while a St Mungo Prize medal achieved an over-estimate price of £1,803*.
Sold: £1,803* Sold: £1,545* Sold: £708*
Our weird and wonderful Collectables department had many curios which sparked collectors’ interest. First came a skilfully carved wooden Noah’s ark (£1,030*), followed by a maritime signal cannon (£3,091*), and then a Robertson’s highland sheep dip enamel advertising sign (£3,864*).
Sold: £1,030* Sold: £3,091* Sold: £3,864*
The star lot of the section was of particular historic naval interest. The work was an early 19th century depiction of The Lady Juliana, a ship notable for being the first completely female transport to arrive to the established penal colony of Australia. With multiple phone bidders and strong interest online, the work sailed to £6,697*.
Sold: £6,697*
Full results from our Autumn Fine Sale can be viewed here.
We are now accepting consignments for our Winter Fine Art & Antiques Auction on 5th-6th December. To book a valuation appointment, click here.
To receive an online valuation, fill out our form here.
