Clarks’ of Liskeard traditional New Year’s Day sale is adorned with entries covering many areas of collecting interest. Two great 20thC. artists Pablo Picasso & Bernard Leach, both have offerings in this sale. A Picasso limited edition Tetes A.R. 368 jug, sportingly sold with no reserve, goes under the hammer with a token guide of £200-300 & whilst a super hand signed Leach bowl asks £600-800.
A very large collection of mostly good quality boxed diecast agricultural toys enter the fray featuring many including popular makes such as Britains & Siku. Prices start from just £10 & these are sure to have a good following in the west country. There are other diecast toys & collectors pieces such as Lego so plenty on offer for sure.
The sale has a few fine paintings. An 1888 Carl Suhrlandt hunt scene in its original gilt frame hopes for £900-1000 whilst an unusual watercolour by renowned children’s artist & book illustrator Brian Wildsmith of a flourishing meadow above the grave of a dead soldier is in at £600-800. A 19thC. oil on canvas of an attractive young woman goes under at £300-400 & a large oil portrait of a woman needing a little TLC asks £200-300. Of curiosity though are a collection of 18thC. gilt framed portraits which visit a saleroom for the first time in their history. The paintings in the style of George Stubbs, are very well executed & depict portraits of historical Naval, banking & Methodist church interest, individuals of which appear connected to each other in one way or another. Guide prices for this fascinating circle of paintings start from £200-300.
There are several good coin offerings, notably an 1869 coin set that even includes sovereigns but notably an incredibly rare penny, all of which are in outstanding condition. These are expected to easily outstrip their guide of £600-800. Similar could be said about a 1595 gold coin. Again in very good condition for it’s age, the coin should easily fetch more than its guide of £500-600. However an 1893 six coin silver proof set really catches the eye at £200-300 & promises to do quite well.
There is a small selection of furniture. A decorative inlaid Syrian chair asks £200-300 while a similar bench hopes for £500-800. A mahogany dresser in fine condition asks £100-200 & an Edwardian mahogany display cabinet is in at £60-80. An expensive modern but clean, bespoke country cottage three piece suite of tasteful & classic styling goes under the hammer at £200-300 whilst a Georgian wine cooler is in at £600-800.
The cabinets are full of interesting collectables. A poignant family medal set awarded to privates H. J. Cross, A. E. Cross both of the Middlesex Regiment & R. L. Cross of 21 London Regiment along with two death plaques should fetch in the region of £300-500 while a Victorian 1900 China war medal with Relief of Pekin bar awarded to driver W. Gray of the Royal Artillery asks £500-600. A pair of 18thC. percussion pistols with walnut stocks & chased decor to steel should be around £500-600 whilst digressing somewhat a pair of attractive Lalique crystal swallow bookends hope for £200-250. A small private collection of Chinese censers have hope with prices from £60 whilst a small 19thC. Southern Hemisphere tribal art table is interesting at £100-150.
There is some fine jewellery on offer including a ladies Cartier watch £3000-4000 whilst an approx. 1.75ct diamond ring ought to fetch £1000-2000. A pair of emerald & diamond earrings ask £300-400 whilst an outstanding quality diamond & emerald cocktail ring is in at £5000-6000. Another outstanding piece is a articulated bumble bee brooch made of 18ct gold. Set with diamonds, ruby & emerald, the sublime quality brooch asks £1800-2000. A Victorian moonstone bracelet should exceed its £100-150 guide & a fine 18ct gold bracelet set with an impressive ten carat of diamonds isn’t expensive at £3800-4200.