Western Morning News (Saturday)
Lots on offer at pre-Christmas sales
OVER 900 lots will be offered this week at Eldreds’ traditional pre-Christmas sales. Tuesday sees Eldreds’ winter sale of antiques and art, while on Wednesday is a sale of jewellery, silver, watches and gold coins, both sales get underway at 10am.
The first day includes a good selection of traditional and contemporary pictures, including a charming oil painting by Mabel
Gear (1898-1987) depicting two Sealyham Terriers tethered in a barn. Other dog portraits include a Robert Lenkiewicz sketch of two young dogs.
An attractive contemporary oil painting on canvas by Charles Pears (18731958) depicts numerous sail and steam vessels by moonlight, entitled ‘The Roadstead’ and a strong section of 18th and 19th century engravings includes views of Plymouth Dock, Her Majesties Dockyard and an early view of Stoke Town.
Although the market for 18th and 19th century furniture is selective, 20th century offerings of quality furniture seem to do well. This sale has a Cotswold School oak bedroom unit by Peter Waals, made for
Loughborough College, while among more traditional pieces are five yew wood Windsor armchairs, in the main of good colour.
Among the clocks can be found three Atmos clocks by Jaeger LeCoultre. These have a following amongst clock enthusiasts and a particular example, model 526, with faux green marble pillars and beaded lacquered brass case, appears to be in good working order.
On the second day, a vast array of jewellery, gold coins, silver and watches includes a very special royal gift. Queen Victoria gave many gifts to family, friends and servants, often commemorating notable events in her life and Eldred’s sale includes a fine amethyst stick pin, engraved From the Queen, Baden Baden 1872. The pin commemorates a visit made by the Queen to Germany in 1872 when she stayed with her maternal halfsister Princess Feodora of Leiningen in her Villas Delmar and Hohenlohe.
For anyone contemplating proposing to their beloved, there is a classic diamond ring with IGI certification that the 1 carat diamond is flawless and colour F – the perfect diamond set between baguette diamond shoulders. (£2,000-3,000).
A perfect finishing touch for the well-suited gent is a gold pocket watch and chain and this sale boasts a fine selection.
Two hundred lots of British, European and Oriental silver includes an unusual and good quality large silver London-made two-handled punch bowl or monteith of circular form on ribbed foot, with five panels depicting Oriental emblems and the sixth with inscription.
Viewing for the sales is today, 9am-12noon, and Monday, 9am-5pm.