As we say goodbye to 2020, a year that will be remembered for great spring sunshine, sourdough bread & alcohol sales, Clarks’ kicked off 2021 in sensational style with their stunning traditional New Year’s Day sale.
With 95% of entries sold & a third best all time per sold lot average (the best recorded last summer), the Heathlands Road saleroom quickly laid to rest any seller concerns about selling finer lots during a pandemic as most entries sold above the top end of its guide price. Auctioneer Paul Clark said, “As I have always maintained since the first lockdown, there has never been a better time to sell, never”, adding “The desire for good lots is stronger than ever & the market is buoyant”.
The sale started with over one hundred silver entries. An 1833 William IV Birmingham silver box with fox decor by Thomas Shaw saw the ‘come & get me’ guide price of £60-80 eclipsed when achieving £400 at the hammer. Auctioneer Paul Clark said, “I figured this one would make £200-250 come the hammer so to get £400 was great for our seller & a lovely piece for the buyer to own”. An 8.5g miniature Victorian novelty London silver miniature chamberstick by William Comyns made £60 whilst a three-piece Birmingham silver tea set by George Nathan & Ridley Hayes started proceedings in style at £480. An impressively detailed small model of a wild boar made by the late Cornish based silver & goldsmith Edmund Kaszewski, saw interest at £390 & a bulldog by the same maker made £320. A William Hutton & Sons cigar ashtray stand made £130 while bids of £95 won a pair of small sugar sifters. A bid of £85 won a small silver mustard whilst £70 was received for an art nouveau spoon.
The decorative arts in the sale did not disappoint. Clarks’ once again proved their ever-growing prowess when it came to selling art by Robert Lenkiewicz in what many regard as a flat market. A small painting of Lisa saw bids of £6000 to a private collector. Auctioneer Paul Clark said, “We were told we’d never sell the large painting in the summer near what I asked but we did at £18500 & we were told the same with this good quality smaller one”, adding “Our business is about marketing and in my opinion, it’s what we do better than any of our competitors – good lots will always find good buyers who recognise quality, the auction house has a responsibility to find them”. A small painting in need of restorative cleaning by Icelandic artist Johannes S. Kjarval, saw Icelandic internet interest at £1650. The bronze works within the sale all did well. A bronze figure depicting Narcissus the hunter made a good price at £820 but the main interest was in two Coalbrookdale bronze dogs after Jules Mene, a setter (£740) & a pointer (£800). A beautiful c.1780 elm Windsor chair saw a bidding battle won by a room bidder (£350) & the same bidder acquired an arts & crafts corner chair at £210.
Clarks’ prowess at jewellery is second to none. Auctioneer Paul Clark said, “I have developed a real passion for jewellery. When I see the right piece it always excites me – I know exactly what the market seeks. A thing of beauty will always have many admirers”. A small Victorian silver & yellow metal brooch set with paste stones around a star sapphire saw international interest before the hammer of £500 & a pair of emerald & pearl earrings saw interest made £270. A small diamond trilogy ring of good clarity (£800) whilst a Victorian bangle saw interest at £600. From the same family was a fine ladies art deco Dunhill ladies minaudière. The Richmond, London based vendor chose St. Ives to deposit a loved one’s ashes & brought down a few effects. They were informed the item was “worthless” by their local house clearance team. Fortunately, they felt otherwise – hammer £500. A silver bangle achieved a great hammer of £160 whilst good, solid prices were achieved for small diamond solitaires (£600 & £720 respectively).
A quantity of OO gauge railway engines saw bids well in excess of £4000 while a bid of £140 won a Britains no.9748 diecast self-propelled 155mm gun. Other collectables hit the right tune, notably three hand drawn door notices for the Rolling Stones, originally owned by Art Collins, assistant to the President of Rolling Stones Records. The items were submitted to auction to raise funds for Livewire Youth Music Project in Saltash & these made £1210 combined.
Our saleroom does require your support. With threat of a third & most damaging lockdown on the horizon, many limited company SME’s like ours will face pressures like they have had never before. For entries visit or call: www.clarksauctionrooms.com 2a2b Heathlands Ind. Est. Liskeard, PL144DH 01579-349960/07756070198
