Movie magic helped two vintage red velvet chairs from the first ever Harry Potter film soar to success at auction attracting bidders from all over the world.
The chance for Potter fans to own a piece of cinema history sparked fierce bidding at Hansons London March (24th) auction at Teddington’s Normansfield Theatre.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons London, said: “We had strong bidding from America but eventually the chairs sold for £4,200 to a French collector.
“That final hammer price was more than double the original estimate of £1,000 to £2,000 and proves, yet again, the power and popularity of the Harry Potter films and books.”
The atmospheric armchairs, were used in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone in 2001. The London seller, who wished to remain anonymous, said: “They chairs were used in Gryffindor’s common room. I purchased them some years ago from a major film set props company.”
The auction was only the second at the Hansons London sale venue, which held its first sale in February. The company, which launched in Etwall, Derbyshire, in 2005, has also opened a consignment and valuation office in Hampton Court Village.
“Once again, we had a packed crowd at the beautiful Normansfield Theatre,” said Mr Hanson. “The atmosphere was buzzing. In fact, it was pandemonium at times as we had to source more chairs for our guests. Aptly, another sale highlight was a Michael Ward abstract painting called Pandemonium (lot 485) which sold for £950.
“Clearly, there is an appetite for everything Hansons has to offer – theatre, drama and a friendly, approachable service.”
Other highlights from the sale included a Victorian sapphire and diamond bumble bee brooch (lot 88) which sold for £3,000 and a Henry Bolton of Liverpool regulator longcase clock, circa 1820/40, in excellent condition and featuring a silvered circular Arabic numeral dial. It was contested to £2,900 (lot 210).
In addition, a set of six 19th century Ottoman sherbet spoons, featuring ivory bowls and pineapple carvings, sold for £1,300 from an estimate of £300-£500 (lot 409A) and a pair of late 19th century gold inlaid Sikh Punjabi Indian scissors sold for £550 (lot 78).
Chris Kirkham, Hansons London associate director, said: “We were delighted to see such a large crowd at our second London auction. It followed on from the success of the first on February 10 which saw a copy of the Quran smash its £100-£200 estimate to sell for £6,500.
“More than 500 lots went under the hammer at both auctions and hundreds registered to bid online.”
Star lots at Hansons London February auction included a Chinese Doucai Yen Yen vase, which sold for £3,800; 19th century Chinese peach blossom dishes which sold for £1,100 from an estimate of £500-£800, and a Chinese Famille Rose Rouleau vase, which soared to £3,600 from a £300-£500 estimate.
In addition, a Robert Taylor Carson oil painting sold £800 above estimate at £2,000 and a jimbaya dagger was contested to £2,400 from an estimate of £50-£100.
Other items which did well included a collection of Islamic metalware, which reached £2,100 from an estimate of £80-£120, and a selection of Chinese and Japanese scrolls which fetched £2,500 from an estimate of £70-£100.
Hansons London holds monthly auctions at The Normansfield Theatre, Langdon Down Centre, 2A Langdon Park, Teddington, TW11 9PS, the next one being on Saturday, April 28. Closing date for entries April 7. Free valuations will be available at the Normansfield Theatre every Saturday from April 7, 9.30am-noon. Free valuations are also available every Wednesday and Friday, 10am-4pm, at Hansons London Consignment and Valuation office, 7 Bridge Road, Hampton Court Village, KT8 9HH. Hansons also plans to launch valuation days in Notting Hill, Maidenhead and Dulwich. To find out more, call 020 8979 7954 or email [email protected].
