Submitted by aarAdmin on Fri, 11/06/2015 - 00:00
Three sets of 1930s vintage handmade silk lingerie selling for $1320 against a catalogue estimate of $50-$100 set the early auction trend for Philips Auctions October 25 decorative arts sale.
More than 210 registered bidders soon got into the buying mood as the hammer fell regularly on items that could only be regarded as somewhat unusual – even for an auction house.
An antique Chinese carved elephant tusk was typical of the results – selling for $6600 (on a $2000-$4000 estimate) – while a mid-20th century Chinese ivory miniature covered jar changed hands for $1080.
Sterling silver is proving ever popular, particularly among Chinese buyers, a pair of large silver candelabra selling for $1320 and a boxed set of 1889 Russian enamel and silver spoons for $1920.
The auction clearance rate for porcelain, glassware and furniture was equally impressive – a pair of aesthetic movement flask vases typical of buyer interest with its sale price of $1440.
A circa 1915 Moorcroft “pomegranate” vase was another pleasing result, changing hands for $780.
Other impressive items included a circa 1933 Carlton Ware “devil’s copse” vase ($960 on a $300-$400 estimate), the Ernest Buckmaster painting The Church Street Bridge ($3840), a fine Tabriz silk rug ($3720) and a large wool Aubusson carpet ($2640).
Only 15 furniture items were left unsold at the end of the auction. Typical of the results was an antique Louis XIII style walnut court cupboard, which changed hands for $3600, a late 19th century Victorian cedar secretaire Wellington chest ($1920) and a late Victorian mahogany dining table ($2520).
The following night’s jewellery auction reflected a strong interest in quality period jewellery, particularly art deco items.
Typical of this was the 1930s diamond set bracelet by Draysons of London – which sold for $15,600 – an art deco diamond brooch ($2400) and a pair of art deco diamond drop earrings ($7200).
