It’s February and like most of you I’m looking forward to longer days, rising temperatures and the first signs of spring, writes Charles Hanson.
What I can promise you is that if you’re keen to be distracted from all the bad news going on around us, Hansons has a feast of 12 sales days to interest you this month – starting today. (Feb 1)
Whether you’re new to auctions, fascinated by antiques and collectables or are considering selling with us, there’s no better way to find out what it’s all about than to tune into a live auction. Everything is sold online-only via our bidding/catalogue platform www.hansonslive.co.uk and you can bid and browse from the comfort of your armchair.
Our February 1-4 Antiques & Collectors Auction features 1,843 lots – everything from jewellery, silver and watches on day one to ceramics, glass, paintings, furniture and garden statues. You’ll find everything from neo classical candlesticks to a boot scraper. If you’re looking for Valentine’s Day inspiration, I defy anyone not to find something to delight a loved one.
Meanwhile, our February 5 Toy, Railwayana and Gaming Auction serves up another 229 lots to fire up childhood nostalgia, and more auction catalogues will go live as the month progresses.
Of course, this steady stream of sales demands a steady stream of auction entries and, despite lockdown, items can be consigned with Covid-safe plans in place to make this possible. In fact, there is still time to consign to our February 24 Fine Art Auction and February 25-26 Historica, Coins and Banknotes sale.
Much of my time is spent sourcing items and I was delighted to find a snowy scene to match a snowy day recently. The discovery also demonstrated how items given to people decades ago can gain value over time.
A print I discovered during a house clearance in Nottinghamshire had been signed by world-famous artist LS Lowry – which means it could sell for thousands of pounds at auction.
The snow-filled picture, titled Peel Park, was one of 850 copies signed by Laurence Stephen Lowry, who lived from 1887 to 1976 and gained recognition for painting scenes of working life in England’s industrial North West in the mid-20th century. Much of his art depicts Pendlebury, Lancashire, where he lived and worked for more than 40 years, and the Salford area.
The rare print had been given as a gift because it was inscribed on the back to ‘Barbara and Peter’ and was given to them in 1976 to make their wedding day. It’s expected to fetch between £1,500 and £2,000 in our February 24 Fine Art Auction.
Peel Park in Salford was one of the first public parks to be opened for the people of Manchester in 1846. It was visited by Queen Victoria in 1851 and was highly acclaimed, so it’s not surprising Lowry chose to paint it for posterity. He captured the magic of a winter’s day with people flocking to enjoy the white stuff – as much of Britain has been doing of late.
During house clearances we come across lots of prints which are often of little or no auction value. To uncover one signed by the great master of 20th century urban art was a real find.
Discoveries like this warm my heart – and they keep coming. Other highlights in the February Fine Art Auction include around 150 lots of Moorcroft pottery – a wonderful array of hues and designs to delight collectors worldwide.
We also have a rare 300-year-old clock discovered during a house clearance in North Derbyshire which ticks all the right boxes. The monumental mantel clock, dating back to the time of King William III or Queen Ann, is a remarkable survivor.
It was wonderful to find an item of such exotic fancy crafted centuries ago. The late 17th or early 18th Century clock, which dates back to circa 1700, was made by eminent clocksmith William Jourdain of London who worked between 1690-1720.
In a striking red chinoiserie lacquered case, its design owes much to the overriding fashion at the time to own objects inspired by China due to the mystique people attached to the country.
The case with its stepped, domed outline gilded and decorated with raised lacquer, captures the early European intrigue with the Far East. It has a silvered dial and inscription and a beautiful foliate back plate on a repeating strike and moon phase.
This work of art captures the true meaning of an antique – it’s functional, practical and a beautiful item to adorn a home. Worthy of any table, mantelpiece or sideboard, it’s estimated to fetch £2,000 to £4,000.
If you would like to consign items into future Hansons’ sales, arrange a free valuation, book a home visit or house clearance, please call 01283 733988 or email [email protected].
