Western Morning News (Saturday)
Years in the business mean auctioneer has seen many changes
With retirement approaching, Roger Shobrook’s 51 years spent as an auctioneer, having followed in the footsteps of his father and grandfather, is coming to an end.
In reflecting on the many changes which have taken place during that time, he says there are none more so than the recent decline in value of dark wood Victorian and Georgian furniture.
However, Roger says several fine examples of the skill and workmanship of the carpenters’ the time can be appreciated in Wednesday’s auction of Antiques and Collectables.
“It is testament to their craftsmanship that furniture remains in such good condition well over 100 years since being produced,” he says.
“And that drawers still slide in and out as easily as the day they were made.”
Among the lots on offer is a Georgian Mule Chest which has a lift-up lid with a large compartment which would have been used for quilt and blanket storage.
It also has two drawers below which might have been used for candles. This heavy piece has, on the sides, a pair of heavy brass handles for easier carriage.
A Victorian dainty rosewood needlework/games table was so well thought out in design. The top swivels and opens out to display a back gammon board and a chess board by use of different woods. Below is a fitted needlework drawer still with all the cottons and accessories in place and, underneath, a basket slide for the game accessories.
Gold and silver has held its value over many decades and, with Christmas approaching fast, the opportunity to buy a special gift of jewellery or silver is on offer with more than 100 lots to choose.
Several quality pieces of silver have been entered for sale to close an estate in the South Hams. The star attraction must be the 115 piece silver canteen of cutlery.
The maker is Viners of Sheffield with a date mark 1933. This company was started around 1902 by Adolphe Viener and continued by his sons. The hallmark for Viners Limited silver was registered to son, Edward Viner. In the 1960s the factory expanded in manufacturing stainless steel cutlery. It looks as if this set of cutlery has hardly seen the light of day if at all.
Other pieces of silver include salvers, tea services, cream jugs, cutlery, baby’s rattles, and a pair epergnes etc.
Grandfather clocks used to adorn the hallways of the Victorian era and chime in order to let the occupants around the house know the time.
An oak Grandfather clock in the auction has an attractive brass dial from Samuel Barnes of Oundle and would serve this purpose.
In the living room a provincial eight day repeating bracket clock by William Hood of Atherstone (1828-42) would serve the same role.
The mahogany case, standing 16ins high, is well made with plain styling, ball feet, brass carrying handle and brass scale with side frets. The door lock escutcheons, ebony to front and ivory to rear, are particularly attractive. The 5ins painted dial is adorned with a painted rural scene in the arch.
Three brass carriage clocks with enamel fronts are for sale and several marble mantel clocks.
An interesting Omega ladies’ wristwatch with silver strap would be a great gift and, for the gentleman, is a choice of gold and silver pocket watches.
Of interest to historians are five personal photo albums of varied locations giving a flavour of how life would have looked. One album depicts scenes in Cornwall in 1932, another has scenes from Plymouth Hoe, including the old pier, and another is further afield in 1933 including Stonehenge.
A general album has the Aquitania liner and Graf Zeppelin. The final album depicts Cumbrian and Scottish scenes, including hay making with the Land Girls. Certainly a wide variety of interesting collectables are up for grabs in this auction.
Shobrook Auctions, Plymouth; tel: 01752 663341 shobrook.co.uk