News

Proof that Blondes are definitey more fun....

This fascinating news of one of the most unusual pieces to come up for auction all year just arrived in my in box. It's a  complete vampire killing kit that was made around 1800 and comes complete with stakes, mirrors, a gun with silver bullets, crosses, a Bible, holy water, candles and even garlic, all housed in a American walnut case with a carved cross on top. It sold for $14,850 in the sale of the Jimmy Pippen estate  in  Natchez Mississippi.I cannot think of anything like it being sold that I've ever seen before.

Two fascinating lots are coming up for auction at Ewbank's the auction house at Send near Woking. They are two wellheads that originated in the old Palace of Westminster that date from before the fire in October 1834. This hexagonal carved stone well-head, carved in relief with alternating shields, of lion rampant and three lions passant, all topped with a crown, 34" diameter, 36" high, with later added cast iron frame, (total height, 91").  This would originally have formed part of the Gothic Revival work of Wyatt on the Houses of Parliament around 1805 and was probably removed following the fire of 1834 and the subsequent rebuilding by Sir Charles Barry. It is known that prominent political figures of the day including Sir Robert Peel were given statues and architectural fixtures.

The provenance is that it was removed from a private residence in Guildford, Surrey. The family remember this as having been in situ for very many years. The estimate is £ 3,000-5,000 and it, along with another similar piece comes up for sale on 18 December.

After my post about the difficulties faced by the antique furniture market my attention was drawn to this piece that sold at my old friends Lyon & Turnbull in Edinburgh. On November 5 this Charles Voysey secretaire went way over its modest £3000-5000 estimate and sold for £70,000 in their Decorative Arts sale. Bought by specialist dealer Paul Reeves,  it was among the exhibits at the 1905 Arts and Crafts Exhibition. The original drawings remain at the Royal Institute of British Architects.

What does it tell us? There will always be pieces that are desirable and prized by collectors and we should always be aware that articles in the press and reports on our TV screens are often done by people with little knowledge of the detail of the subject they are reporting upon.

150 year old silver chalices were stolen from a church in Northamptonshire this week. There is something shocking about thieves who will steal from a church, but then again there is something shocking about stealing from anyone. The offenders forced their way into the church before stealing modern silver plates which were of sentimental value and the chalices dating back to 1856. Anyone with information can call police on 08453 700700.