Clarks’ latest sale again saw some great results. A 3.5 gauge engineers model train & tender from Hollywood House of Liskeard needed some TLC however that didn’t stop it steaming home under the hammer at £1500. Auctioneer Paul Clark said “We were very hopeful it would do around £800-1000 as it did require quite a bit of work so to achieve such a great price has made all the marketing we put in worthwhile”.

The sale of Oriental items was well received, both online & locally. A Ming period utility piece of Longquan celadon ware saw bids of £660 whilst a bronze censer with Xuande tribute marks made £700. A Chinese polychrome carved wood figure depicting Sun Simiao, King Of Medinicals, saw bids of £300 while a small Chinese blue & white teapot made £160. English ceramics also saw great results with a small but attractive Shelley breakfast set for two achieving £230 thanks to online internet interest & a small Poole pottery Aegean ovoid form vase making £45. A large vase by Wenford Bridge studio potter Seth Cardew saw bids of £220 in the room & a Parian Ware bust of Nelson won bids of £80 via the net.

Jewellery prices once again excelled at Clarks. An early/ mid 20thC. Tiffany ring with approx. 0.85ct diamond secured bids of £1400 at the hammer whilst a Victorian old cut diamond solitaire of approx. 0.95ct made £1300. Auctioneer Paul Clark added “It is great that we regularly achieve such fantastic jewellery prices & to smash the £1000 barrier with stones that are under a carat not once but twice is remarkable!” adding “We have such a strong private buyer base that any bidder around the country has to pull out all the stops to win the more desirable lots”. Fine jewellery also has a strong following online with an 18ct gold Boodles bracelet making £2000 to the internet. Two diamond rings with carved bridges made £760 & £400 respectively online while a tiny 14ct ring set with child’s tooth achieved a amazing £360, thirty six times above estimate, is on its way to India! 

The auction saw a series of fine prices among a small collection of antique books dating from the 17th & 18th centuries. Despite most being of a religious nature & in poor condition, they still achieved around £1200 gross with local & worldwide interest. Other books did well including a six volume set on British Birds at £160. A brass ships clock secured bids of £200 & a silver Georgian Lima florin made £80. Entries are now invited for our next sale.