Martin Millard, Director, Cheffins said: “This was our first Fine Sale since lockdown and we are confident to say that there has been no drop in appetite for the best quality furniture, art, antiques and collectors’ items in the market. We saw huge spikes in interest in the lead up to the sale with over 900 new bidders registered online for the two-day sale. There has been a clear increase in the numbers of people looking to buy through auction as they become progressively well-versed in the process but are also starting to appreciate the joys of searching for antiques. The Asian art section also did particularly well and this is a part of the auction which we are looking to grow over the coming years. This is an area of the market which always throws up surprises, such as the Tibetan bronze Buddha which sold for £7,000 on day one, against an estimate of £150 - £200.”
The highlight of the sale was a French ormolu mounted kingwood commode, in the Louis XV style, signed Henry Dasson and dated 1884 which is sold for £17,000, well over its £6,000 - £8,000 estimate. It saw competitive bidding in the room and also online, eventually selling to an overseas buyer online. Also in the furniture section, a pair of rare mid-18th century yew and mahogany armchairs sold for £10,000, against an estimate of £3,000 -£5,000, whilst an imposing 19th century French bronze table clock sold for £3,600.
In the Asian section, a Chinese blue and white porcelain dragon dish from the Qianlong period, dating between 1736 and 1795 which sold for £8,000 to a collector from mainland China. The second highest value achieved in the section was £7,000 for a small Tibetan bronze Buddha which was bought by an American buyer.
Amongst the paintings, a pair of works by Flemish artist, Gerard Thomas, dating back to the late 17th century depicting an astronomer working in his studio sold for £7,000, to an online bidder in Belgium, while a large hunting oil in the manner of Henry Chalon sold in the room for a double mid-estimate £2,000.