Furniture Sells Well at Cheltenham’s Country House Sale

The Cheltenham saleroom hosted its latest Country House Sale on 28 April and achieved sales of almost £63,000, close to top estimate, with almost 88% of lots sold.

As always, the sale featured some striking items of furniture and the top performing item was lot 21, a large 18^th century gate-leg dining table in oak, with two drop leaves and turned supports. Conservatively estimated at up to £400, it saw considerable interest amongst bidders which pushed the hammer price to £3000, selling to a trade bidder via MallamsLive, Mallams own, online bidding platform.

Another 18^th century item that saw enthusiastic bidding was lot 49, a walnut and herringbone inlaid kneehole desk with one large and four small drawers finished with engraved brass handles. The hammer eventually fell at £1800 to an online bidder, against an estimate of £150-£200.

A near set of six yew and elm Windsor elbow chairs, featuring pierced splat backs, bowed arms and crinoline stretchers (lot 18), also proved popular and sold to a trade buyer for £2200, close to mid estimate.

A good selection of ceramics were also featured in the sale, including a Delftware posset pot and cover dating from circa 1720 (lot 353), decorated with panels of bird and foliate designs. This lot soared way above estimate, with the winning bid of £1300 coming from an online bidder via MallamsLive.

A trade commission bid secured a late 19^th/early 20^th century Meissen porcelain hot chocolate service (lot 251) consisting of a tray, two hot chocolate cups and covers, two saucers and a jug. Estimated at £200-£400, it saw a final, winning bid of £1100.

Other lots of note were lot 6, a walnut cased barograph marked ‘M W Dunscombe of Bristol, 428606’ which sold for £1100 to a phone bidder and lot 171, an oil on canvas by John Frederick Warne (1847-1932) entitled ‘Children in a Garden’ (together with another study by the same artist) which sold to an online bidder for £750.

Mallams Cheltenham is now inviting entries for its upcoming Asian Art, Modern Living and Country House sales so if you have any interesting items you are considering selling at auction please email cheltenham@mallams.co.uk for a free, informal valuation.

All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).