A simple toast rack snapped up by Leicestershire newlyweds more than 80 years ago – just because they liked it – has turned out to be one of the most expensive and sought-after in the world.
The Christopher Dresser toast rack, first designed for Hukin and Heath in 1878, was identified as a design classic by decorative arts specialist John Keightley at Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers – and is now expected to spark a bidding war at auction.
Mr Keightley said: “Christopher Dresser was a pioneer of industrial design based on form and function rather than decoration.
“I had seen his work before and recognised the toast rack design. That’s because one just like it has sold at Christie’s for £11,250. Others have sold for £4,000.”
The seller, from Coalville, Leicestershire, who does not wish to be named, said: “The toast rack was bought by my wife’s parents when they got married in 1936. They chose it because they liked it – and they used it. I would guess that they didn’t pay much for it. They needed it for their first home.
“They bought it, along with a few other bits, when the contents of a Church of England vicarage in Hogarth Road, Whitwick, went up for auction.
“They had no idea it was anything special and, when we acquired it, we didn’t at first. We used it a few times bit it’s a bit wobbly and the toast fell out, so we put it away in a box.
“Later, we heard the name Christopher Dresser crop up on antiques programmes on TV and realised it could be something special.
“We took it along to a free valuation event run by Hansons at Marlborough Square Methodist Church in Coalville and were advised to let their decorative arts specialist see it.”
Mr Keightley said: “I was delighted as it is an original 1878 design and is embossed on the back with the words ‘Designed by Dr C Dresser’, which adds to its value.
“I have put a modest estimate of £200-£400 on it as there is some slight damage but it could fetch far more thanks to its rarity and pedigree.
“Christopher Dresser was born in Glasgow in 1834 and died in 1904 and yet, more than a century after his death, his work is still inspirational thanks to the simplicity and cleanliness of his designs.
“The toast rack appears as modern today as it has ever been, with Alessi producing the same design today – angular, clean and simple.
“Designs like this were made for the forward-thinking Bohemian elite of Victorian Britain.
“Dresser also designed ceramics, textiles and glass with the influence of Japanese aesthetics, known as the Aesthetics Movement. He was a master of his craft.
“I was hugely excited to make this find. I hope the couple who are selling it will be toasting success after the auction.
“This goes to show, yet again, that people should always bring things for free valuation at our Leicestershire events. So many items of historical value are left gathering dust for decades.”
Hansons holds regular free valuation days at Marlborough Square Methodist Church, Marlborough Square, Coalville, LE67 3WD, and will be there again on May 15, from 10am-1pm. Their valuers will also be at the Dew Drop Inn, 49 Loughborough Road, Hathern, LE12 5HY, on May 7 and May 21, 10am-3pm, and at The Manor House, Woodhouse Road, Quorn, LE12 8AL, on April 24, 10am-1pm.
The toast rack will be sold on June 19 at a Decorative Arts Auction at Hansons Auctioneers, Heage Lane, Etwall, Derbyshire. Entries are invited until June 1. To find out more, email [email protected]. Hansons also offers free valuations at its Etwall saleroom on Wednesdays, 5-7pm, Fridays, 10am-4pm, and Saturdays, 9am-noon. To find out more, visit www.hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.
