Clarks’ kick off 2021 with their traditional New Year’s Day sale. Despite Cornwall moving into Tier 3, the new rules introduced on December 2nd have enabled salerooms to continue to trade under fairly normal circumstances. Like so many local businesses, Clarks’ have had to endure a very challenging year. Auctioneer Paul Clark said, “As a limited company, the government support we receive is minimal, therefore I would like to personally thank all of those who have remained loyal & selflessly continued to support us in what is our time of need, despite their own lives & livelihoods also being blighted by the enforced consequences of CV19”. Company director & auctioneer Paul Clark added “We have invested heavily in a safe valuation suite & urge those who wish to sell to contact us to arrange safe collection/valuation of prospective entries”.
Things will be a little different at this year’s sale. Room bidders will have to reserve a space prior the sale. Paul Clark explained “We have had more than 200 in the room on past New Year’s Day sales, so we have to be mindful & limit numbers on this occasion. Bidders are also reminded to be responsible – if unwell, please stay away. Bidders can also bid live via our website or via the-saleroom.com”.
The sale itself includes in excess of 100 lots of silver including some from the original family at St. Cleer’s Treworgey Manor House. An 1895 1075g Victorian three-piece Birmingham silver tea set by George Nathan & Ridley Hayes (£300-500) starts off proceedings while an 1894 675g Victorian three-piece London silver bachelor’s tea set by Sibray Hall & Co. ought to find a new home at £200-300. A large, impressive 19thC. repoussé silver monteith or punch bowl if you prefer, catches the eye. Decorated with Asian rural scenes by Grish Chunder Dutt & Sons, Bhowanipur Calcutta it is hoped to achieve £1000-2000. Of real quality is an 1833 William IV Birmingham 105g silver box by silversmith Thomas Shaw. The gilt lined box has chased decor depicting a fox & is hoped to exceed its guide of £60-80.
There are numerous pieces of fine jewellery & related items. A very fine ladies 1920’s period minaudière by leading makers Dunhill ought to do well. Presented beautifully in its original case, this silver framework & tortoiseshell cased evening purse should easily achieve its guide of £100-200. From the same house in Richmond, London is a Victorian diamond bangle. The bangle tests as 15ct gold & is set with approx. 1.24ct of old white, cut diamonds a guide of £500-600 has been attached. An antique white metal memorial brooch depicting a dove set with natural turquoise (£30-50) & an attractive pair of 14ct gold emerald earrings with cultured pearl (£60-80) should also raise interest. An antique 18ct white gold ring set with approx. 0.75ct old cut centre diamond of good colour & clarity with approx. 0.15ct diamonds to shoulders should be thereabouts at £600-800 & a similar guide is attached for a diamond solitaire of approx. 0.7ct, again with good colour & clarity.
Among the decorative arts is a framed early 20thC. landscape oil on canvas by Icelandic artist Johannes S. Kjarval (1885-1972). Kjarval was Icelands leading painter & this effort is expected eclipse it’s guide price with ease (£300-500). A Kurt Jackson watercolour (£300-500) should sell whilst a Robert Lenkiewicz oil on canvas depicting Lisa with a portrait of the artist, faces the open market for the first time with a guide of £6000-8000. Two high quality 19thC. Coalbrookdale bronze figures of hunting dogs after Pierre Jules Rene hope for £300-500 each whilst an impressive bronze of Narcissus the hunter asks £600-800. An 18thC. elm Windsor chair (£100-150) & a c.1890 pretty arts & crafts corner chair (£100-200) are other notable decorator pieces as is an 19thC. Italian micro-mosaic of the Doves of Pliny set within a gilt frame (£600-800).
The sale also sees many collectable items of interest, including toy collectors of railway & military items. There are numerous boxed, some as new, Bachmann & Hornby engines, many starting from just £20 & numerous toys by Britains, the most noted being a vintage boxed set of Britain’s Soldiers Regiments of all Nations no. 1284, in at £100-200. Other collectable items including coins as well numerous gold sovereigns in at £200-300 each, Moorcroft pottery from £20 including a large Rachel Bishop vase (£200-300) whilst glass collectors see two Lalique lots – a scent bottle (£60-80) & a pair of swallow bookends (£200-300). A family medal set comprising Queens South Africa medal won by Co. Sgt. Major W. Carter A.S.C & two WW1 sets, believed to be his sons, have a guide of £200-300. The sale also sees an 1869 fifth edition of Charles Darwin “Origin of Species”. Whilst needing some restoration to its binding, this is reflected in its guide of £200-300 while a quantity of Oriental antiques is probably led by an 18/19thC. blue & white bowl of which despite faults, should at least achieve its £100-200 guide.
