Western Morning News (Saturday)
Cast iron sign is a weighty matter
With the emergence of the railways, and road vehicles on British Highways in the late 19th and early 20th century, it became of immediate importance to assess the suitability of some of our roads and tracks to accommodate this new type of transport.
The railway companies issued warning signs with weight restrictions and in the sale is a large diamond-shaped iron sign from the North Eastern Railway Company. It gives precise tonnage instructions for various vehicles crossing a bridge, stands 37ins high, and invites bids of £200-£250.
Traditionally associated with Indo-Tibetan Buddhism the Kila is a three-sided peg-like implement. Named after the meditational deity Vajrakila, it was used as a ritual implement during ceremonies It was believed to have a fierce energy, and could be used as a tool of exorcism and to pin down negative energies.
The traditional bronzed metal version on offer has the pommel modelled with faces showing the different moods of Vajrikila. The blade has three triangular facets meeting at the tip, with serpent-like relief decoration, representing the three root poisons of negativity that it seeks to expel. It is 10ins long and has an estimate of £60-£100.
Louis Comfort Tiffany, the son of the founder of Tiffany & Co, embraced many areas of Art & Craft design from the 1870s to the 1920s. He patented a type of iridescent glass which was known as ‘Favrille’.
The sale has a small shaped glass vase demonstrating this technique. It has his initials and the pattern number R6765 (£220-£250).
Perfect to adorn the table for the upcoming festive season is a pair of silver three-branch candelabra in the 19th century style. They carry the hallmarks for Broadway & Co of Birmingham, and have a guide of £280-£320.
A lobed 19th century Bilston enamel table trinket box is painted with traditional courtship scenes. It is 4ins wide and is priced at £70-£100.
Perhaps the ultimate gift for the person with everything is an 18ct gold feather shaped dip pen, intricately decorated in relief with a diamond studded floral spray at £450-£500.
Viewing Monday 10am-1pm; Tuesday noon – 6pm. Sale Day from 8.30am.
Okehampton Auctions; tel: 01837 55592 okehamptonauctions.co.uk