Antiques & Fine Art News

          
 
Frank Marshall & Co Auctioneers & Valuers based in the historic market town of Knutsford had one of their major sales of Antiques and Collectors items on the 4th of May which as usual caused a great deal of internet and bidding from far and wide.

 

The highlight of the event was the specialist evening section devoted to Fine Jewellery and Watches which saw the atmospheric saleroom packed with private clients and top-end dealers battling over the gems. The Marshalls staff were busy keeping everyone’s glasses topped up with complimentary wine whilst Principal Auctioneer and TV Expert Nick Hall took the auction.

 

The mostly hotly contested lot was a rare 18ct gold and diamond encrusted wristwatch in the form of the iconic Rolls Royce radiator grill, complete with flying lady emblem. This much sought after rarity was made by the Swiss firm Corum in 1978 and came with the original bill of sale from Garrard & Co of Regent Street, London. After a flurry of interest and telephone bids from around the world the hammer finally came down at £10,000 to a local prominent businessman.

 

Other highlights of the evening included a sapphire and diamond cluster ring at £7,200, a pair of diamond pear-shaped earrings also selling for £7,200, a diamond and pearl necklace in a striking Art Deco design sold above estimate at £3,050, an emerald and diamond platinum ring fetched £3,000 and a diamond and white gold bracelet found a new home at £2,900. A good selection of diamond solitaire rings sold well, each of different sizes, fetching £2,600, £2,300 and £2,100. A modern designer ring by noted jewellery designer Theo Fennell found a new home too, the striking piece set with amethyst and citrine and known as a ‘Rumba’ ring sold for £1,200.
 
The day-time section was filled with a 1000 lots of antiques, fine art and collectables which included a fascinating piece of royal proportions! A Victorian rosewood firescreen was previously owned by Queen Victoria and had resided at Osborne House on the Isle of Wight. Carved with a crown and the national emblems as well as Prince of Wales feathers, and inset with a needlepoint Armorial panel of the Royal Coat of Arms it was decorative as well as historically interesting. Two bidders certainly thought so and took it all the way up to £1,800.

 

Other highlights of the day-time section included a pair of George II silver sauceboats by Edward Wakelin, London 1754/55 which sold for £2,500, a fine quality Royal Worcester vase painted with swans by celebrated designer Charles Baldwyn sold well at £2,900, and porcelain maintained strong results when a 19th century German painted plaque depicting ‘Ruth’ by the KPM factory sold above estimate also at £2,900. A decorative river scene oil painting by Irish artist James Humbert (1878-1944) drew interest from across the water and sold for £1,800. Good furniture carried on making solid results, in part due to the auctioneers mass marketing and advertising which has seen a lot of traditional ‘brown furniture’ starting to rise, and an exceptional £1,150 was paid for a Victorian walnut oval tilt-top breakfast table.

 

Frank Marshall & Co have a major sale on the 5th of July, which includes all the usual fascinating array of Antiques, Fine Art and Collectables as well as Vintage and Modern Motorcycles and a specialist evening section devoted to 20th Century Design. The 20th Century Design section will include rare ceramics, furniture, glass, silver and metalware from many iconic designers such as Dame Elisabeth Frink, William Moorcroft, Clarice Cliff, Rene Lalique, A.W.N. Pugin, Daisy Makeig-Jones, Andre Arbus, Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, Bernard Leach, Archibald Knox and many, many others.

 

Frank Marshall & Co have a busy year planned, with specialist sales of Paintings, Jewellery, Classic Cars and Fine Wines as well as all the usual and traditional pieces, and some rare Chinese porcelain which is currently selling at an all-time high. All this as well as hosting the BBC’s Flog It (6th September) and Bargain Hunt (8th November) means there has never been a better time to contact Frank Marshall & Co.

 

 

For further information regarding forthcoming auctions or to discuss a free and confidential home visit to assess your treasures please feel free to contact us by telephone on 01565 653284 by Fax 01565 652341 or by email antiques@frankmarshall.co.ukor why not visit our website www.frankmarshall.co.uk