Strong demand for all types of antiques and collectables was underlined by Hansons’ August sales.
Bidders worldwide are keen to obtain the quirky, vintage and sometimes unique finds that emerge at auction – prompting many lots to exceed their estimate.
Here we explore top-selling items in Hansons’ four-day August (2023) Antiques and Collectors sale.
Taste of Asia
This wonderful collection of Asian – Indian and Burmese – white metal, probably silver, decorative items proved popular. The set included two circular bowls, two sugar bowls, a soap box, circular dish and a large box and cover with canted corners, all chased and engraved with profuse decoration to include flowers, birds, figures in high relief, animals and deities, approx gross weight 2222.4 grams.
Hammer £750 | Guide £400 – £600
Jewellery charms
With gold prices soaring, charm bracelets regularly surpass expectations. This 9ct gold charm bracelet, comprising 9ct gold charms, mostly marked 9ct gold, including Churchill, a camera, £10, cameo shoe, theatre, cockerel, some enamel charms, etc along with some plated etc, padlock clasp, total gross weight approx 110gms, hammered comfortable above its top guide.
Hammer £1,450 I Guide £800-£1,200
Amber appeal
Amber necklaces routinely sell well but this amber-type offering more than trebled its estimate. It comprised graduated round beads, the largest approx 15mm to 13mm, (one with large crack/chip) the reverse with later glass beads, total gross weight approx 95.7gms
Hammer £1,400 I Guide £300-£400
Fruitful result
This fruit-inspired Royal Worcester ceramics set was one of the stars of the show in terms of smashing estimates – selling for eight times its guide price. The lot consisted of a collection of mid 20th century Royal Worcester, painted with fruit.
It included a vase, shape no 307, painted with apples and cherries signed by Freeman, 21cm high. A small pot, shape no 2491, painted with apples and cherries, signed Roberts, 7.5cm high. A small oval pot painted with apples and grapes, signed Roberts, 6.5cm high. A small round pin dish, painted with peaches and grapes, painted by Roberts, 11cm diameter. A scalloped rim plate painted with peaches and berries, signed Ayrton, 22.5cm diameter. Along with a yellow, pink and gilt border plate, the centre painted with apples, grapes and blackberries, signed Love, 23cm diameter.
Hammer £800 | Guide £80-£120
Crowning glory
When it comes to ceramics Royal Crown Derby is gaining some impressive hammer prices. This set, 1128 Pattern, consisted of three cups and one saucer, date mark L1, two cups and three saucers, date marked XL1X, another cup and saucer, date marked L along with a saucer, date marked XLVII.
Hammer £400 | Guide £100-£150
Dutch timepiece
This classic Jan Gobels of Amsterdam 18th Century Dutch eight day longcase clock with alarm soared to success. It strikes on two bells on the hours and half hours (Dutch striking). With two train five pillar movement brass cased weights, 12″ brass dial with moon-phase to the arch, four season spandrels, date calendar and subsidiary second. Dial edged with engraved pattern. Contained in a lovely veneered red walnut case raised on claw feet.
Hammer £950 | Guide £600 – £800
Ready for bed?
Quality vintage interiors pieces are sought after and this 1960s Heals of London dark teak bedroom suite proved hugely attractive to bidders. It comprised a chest of five drawers, chest of three drawers either side, dressing table/desk and two bedside cabinets.
Hammer £800 | Guide £200 – £300
Vintage bags bagged!
Shoes, bags and textiles shone bright in summer sales, not least this collection of 14 handbags.
They included an envelope-style Perspex bag with metal shoulder strap and pink fluffy make-up bag inside – possibly American;=.
There was also a peach/cream evening bag with paste brooch and metallic chain handle, cream leather 1960s bag by Alligator, 1960 gold crochet evening purse with punched metallic button design; pink plastic, late 1950s American bag in the style of an oblong box; another American plastic oblong bag in cream with dimpled effect design; a pearlised envelope evening bag with pearl handle; a silver metallic evening purse; a small pink and silver evening bag with pink sequin design; a 1960s/70s cotton velvet evening bag in a deep peach colour with a metallic frame by Cotton Product; a cream velvet Dorothy bag with a gold rose detail, 1950s/60s; a glitzy iridescent evening bag in cream pearlised fabric by Butler & Wilson and a see-through plastic American handbag with a floret embossed pattern, mid-1950s.
Hammer £440 | Guide £50-£60
Feather in our cap
Still on the textiles trail, a collection of feather boas smashed their estimate to smithereens. The set included: original 1920s feather boas; ostrich feather cape from 1920s/30s;1960s Biba cape with original label in pale peach; large pale pink ostrich feather fan, 1930s, with bakelite sticks.
Hammer £750 | Guide £50-£60
Another large box of feather boas also surpassed its estimate by miles. It included a 1960s’ decorative peach mini-skirt embellished with ostrich feathers and a diamante waistband; peach feather cape, edged in black, fully lined; 1920s, 60s, 70s feather boas and a collection of feathers; plus a cream feather skirt on a gros-grain waistband; large fan with ostrich feathers on bone sticks (damaged).
Hammer £600 | Guide £30-£50
Entries invited
Hansons holds monthly Antiques & Collectors sale at its Derbyshire headquarters and at its other salerooms. To discuss a potential consignment, or arrange a free valuation, email [email protected] or call 01283 733988.
