Submitted by aarAdmin on Wed, 04/02/2014 - 00:00
Auction goers took Philips Auctions March sale by storm from the moment auctioneer Tony Philips stepped onto the podium.
He no sooner declared Lot 1 – a small 1889 Victorian pocket barometer – available for sale than bidding became frenetic.
What was estimated in the catalogue to bring $40-$50 was knocked down for $500 (or $590 when the buyers premium is included).
And it didn’t stop there. Two lots later, an 1860s Victorian mother-of-pearl and tortoiseshell card case changed hands for $378 (almost double the upper estimate) and an early 20th century music box for $2360 ($800-$1200).
By the time Tony Philips reached the oriental section, the auction had become like a giant tsunami.
A typical result for these items was a large Chinese famille noire bowl whose sale price of $1298 made a nonsense of the $150-$250 estimate.
Likewise, a suite of four Chinese export water dishes (estimate $100-$150) sold for the same amount.
Tony Philips explained the strong bidding – from the several hundred buyers in attendance – by saying the items on offer were interesting and worth collecting.
“Every item in the Russian and English silver collection belonging to the late Michael Holdorf (who suffered from a congenital heart condition) sold – many at double or triple the catalogue estimates,” he said.
One of the outstanding results was the 1863 Victorian sterling silver bosun’s call, which was presented to T. Dorgan aboard his ship Samartian by Queen Victoria’s fourth daughter Princess Louise and her husband the Marquis of Lorne the day they arrived in Halifax Nova Scotia to take over duties as Canada’s fourth Governor-General.
The bosun’s call (estimate $80-$120) changed hands for $2124, while an 1890 Russian silver cake basket ($800-$1200) sold for $1770 and an 1870 set of four sterling silver salt cellars ($500-$650) for $2242.
Every item of glassware and porcelain in the auction also sold, often at several times the estimate. A Royal Worcester coved vase was typical of the good results, selling for $885 against $200-$400 estimate and a Royal Worcester covered signed Stinton for $1888.
Victorian brown furniture, too, appears to be making a comeback with William IV mahogany occasional table bringing $767 and an 1860s walnut veneer stretcher base table $1298.
The Monday night jewellery auction also delivered good results with a diamond line bracelet selling for $8850 and a diamond and pearl brooch/pendant for $15340.
A large (three-carat) pair of diamond studs sold for $10,030, while a 1920s diamond cluster ring changed hands for $3540.
Likewise, a quality old cut diamond ring brought $8850 and a gold gents Patek Philippe wristwatch $10,620.
Philips Auctions next sale on Sunday and Monday May 4-5 will offer a collection of about 60 Staffordshire dogs – one of the largest in Pennsylvania.
The auction also will contain a large collection of modern Royal Worcester and Royal Crown Derby and a dolls house fitted with lights and Victorian-style furniture.
A North Balwyn estate has quality furniture from Acorn Antiques – including a bookcase, davenport, ladies and gents chairs, fold over card table and porcelain.
