I’m 21 again this year – 21 years on TV’s Bargain Hunt – and that’s quite a milestone! – writes Charles Hanson
When I started out in the world of antiques I never imagined it would lead to so many television opportunities. And it all began with Bargain Hunt in 2002.
Consequently, I’m hugely excited to be welcoming the Bargain Hunt crew to Hansons’ Staffordshire saleroom, Bishton Hall, on August 16 to film the show’s Children In Need special.
Hansons has welcomed Bargain Hunt for many years. It’s exciting to see cameras capturing all the excitement as lots chosen by the red and blue teams go under the hammer.
We’re expecting up to 800 bidders and guests from across the country at Bishton at what promises to be a spectacular day. Thanks to the Georgian mansion’s ample gardens and marquees, Hansons can offer the space, and perfect place, for a summer jamboree.
Fans of the TV show will know Bargain Hunt lots go under the hammer as part of a general auction. If you want to join the fun, there’s still time to enter lots. In particular, I’m on the hunt for jewellery, silver and watches to make the day sparkle.
And if you’re lucky enough to be among the guests I hope the saleroom drama will capture your heart. The beauty of auctions is that they’re awash with surprises. For example, Hansons’ June Fine Art sale saw a cracked vase achieve £17,000. The Chinese blue and white porcelain rouleau vase, Kangxi Period (1662-1722), below, easily eclipsed its £3,000-£5,000 guide.
Its painted decoration depicted dignitaries and attendants addressing a celestial maiden. However, there was a slight buckle to the foot rim and various cracks, one being 10cm long. The vase previously sold at Christie’s in 1933 and its provenance, from an important collection, gave it wings to ensure it flew back to China.
Chinese buyers also came calling for a late Ming Dynasty, 17th Century, Chinese cloisonne tri-pod censor with two stylised Dog of Fo mask handles. Despite heavily rubbed gilding and lost enamel it doubled its estimate to make £5,000.
Also a little worse for wear was a small, 18th Century English blue and white delft punch bowl inscribed ‘Jon Goldsworthy 1750’, below. Extensive cracks, old rivet repairs and chips to the rim couldn’t stop it packing a punch. It made £1,100 from a £600-£900 guide.
Other items to sparkle included lot 136, a diamond and platinum solitaire ring featuring an impressive old cushion-cut diamond. It made £5,000, well above its £3,500 top estimate. Buyers seek the quality and clarity of vintage diamonds.
Designer timepieces dazzle, too, and lot 172, an Omega gentleman’s Seamaster Planet Ocean steel chronograph wristwatch, reached £2,200 from a £1,500 guide. Item like this, often forgotten in dusty drawers, can sell for thousands. In Hansons’ July sales a 1962 Rolex Explorer, below, made £6,500 and a 1974 Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air King Date Precision watch achieved £2,150.
But variety is the spice of life at auction and the Summer Fine Art sale displayed this beautifully. I particularly liked a rare, strikingly decorative Meissen spoon made in 1735, below. It was an absolute work of art. Its bowl was finely painted with a Kauffahrtei scene of merchants by a quayside. It also featured gilded stripes and a spirally-moulded handle painted with miniature landscapes within a gilt cartouche. It sold for £800.
An auction surprise – selling for 20 times its estimate – came courtesy of a Victorian Order of the Garter Seal presentation box with manuscript bestowing the honour to Charles Chetwynd, Earl Talbot K.G (1777-1849). It was signed by Queen Victoria and dated 1844. The lot, which made £2,000 from a £100-£150 guide, included a letter to Lord Talbot from Sir Robert Peel dated May 17, 1844.
More smashed estimates came thanks to lot 162, an early 20th century English School river scene, oil on canvas, below, which made £1,300 from a £150-£250 guide, and a George IV mahogany wine cooler in the manner of renowned maker Gillows. It reached £2,300 from an £800 guide.
It is wonderful to see lots excelling for clients in Hansons’ Fine Art sales, and such an eclectic mix of items drawing bidder interest.
Auction entries invited
Entries are invited for the August 16 Bargain Hunt Auction and Hansons’ Autumn Fine Art sales. For advice or a free valuation, email: [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
Free valuations | Adam Schoon
Adam Schoon, a consultant on TV’s Antiques Roadshow, will offer free antiques valuations at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom on July 17, 10am-4pm, and at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire, on July 18, 10am-4pm. Adam is an expert in Fine Art objects and Chinese/oriental works of rt and ceramics.
To book an appointment in Derbyshire call 01283 733988 or email [email protected]
To book an appointment at Bishton Hall email [email protected]
