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Fine Art, Antique and Collectables Sale Report - Thursday 20th May 2021

Thu 20 May 2021

The Portcullis Saleroom had a fantastic sale on the 20th May. Prices were up across the board with antique furniture making proper money at last.
We believe that people are beginning to realise just how wonderful it is to own and use furniture made many years before they were born. It’s just so useful, beautiful and durable. No carbon footprint either as it was made such a long time ago. You can just use it again and again! And pass it down to future generations.

Predictably, the most expensive lot of the day was the rather splendid Chinese Daoguang period (1821-1850) dish decorated and incised in iron red, painted in coloured enamels and beautifully gilded with dragons chasing the flaming pearl. It had a wonderful provenance as it was brought to these shores in the c.1890s by an Englishman who had been engaged in employment by the Chinese customs 1860-1890. It was consigned to our rooms by a direct descendant and naturally there was considerable interest before the sale, especially from collectors in Asia. After a protracted battle on three telephone lines and two internet platforms the hammer was finally knocked down at £12500 to an online bidder.

Chinese Daoguang Dish









Other highlights on the day included £4000 for a French 19th century serpentine commode chest of three drawers and a rather charming play worn rocking horse by Frederick Henry Ayers c.1900 that achieved £900.

Rocking Horse











Our next Auction will be held on Thursday 17th June at 11.30am.

Please email fineart@mccartneys.co.uk to be added to the Mailing List for the Catalogue and links to the Online Platforms.

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