George III Tea Caddy Sparks Interest at Mallams’ Home & Interiors Sale

Mallams’ final Home & Interiors Sale of 2021 was held this week at the Abingdon saleroom and comprised 635 lots.

There was great interest in a George III octagonal tea caddy (lot 100), made from mother of pearl and tortoise shell which had a conservative estimate of £80-£120.  A bidding war broke out between telephone bidders, commission bidders and online bidders, pushing the price ever upwards, eventually selling to an online bidder for £1400.

Bronzes also outperformed, with lot 185, a striking bronze sculpture of Apollo, after the Flemish sculptor Giambologna, achieving a hammer price of £1400, well above its £800 top estimate. A 41cm tall bronze of an Indian runner duck (lot 315) also saw robust bidding, selling for almost three times top estimate at £350. Another bronze sparking interest was a small dish in the shape of a shell with a dragon perched on the edge (lot 38). Mounted on a later marble base, it stood at 13cm high and went 10% above top estimate, selling to an international bidder for £220.

As always, Mallams’ Home & Interiors sales feature a good selection of antique and contemporary furniture and an Edwardian, Howard & Sons upholstered armchair with square tapering legs and brass casters (lot 123) just topped the high estimate to sell for £2600.

An 18^th century oak dresser with a three tier plate rack (lot 82) also outperformed its £300-£500 estimate, going to an online bidder for £620, and a small oak cupboard with fitted interior (lot 409) sold for three times top estimate with the hammer falling at £450.

Mallams Abingdon is now inviting entries for its next sales, namely the 13 December Collectors’ Sale and its 2022 Home & Interiors sales. If you have any interesting items you are considering selling at auction please email Henry Cooke on henry@mallams.co.uk or Duncan Lloyd on duncan.lloyd@mallams.co.uk for a free, informal valuation.

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