The Fine Art Sale - 23rd & 24th November 2011

Cheffins November Fine Art sale saw good prices throughout the two day sale. Ceramics began the keen bidding with an excellent collection of Chelsea Porcelain, acquired by Peter Chance, chairman of Christies from 1958-1974, selling very well. In particular separate lots within a collection of ‘gold anchor’ Chelsea porcelain comprising plates, custard cups, bowls and two handled cups and covers sold well and fetched just over £15,000.

In the jewellery section the more unusual attracted attention and made good prices. A pair of circa late 19th early 20th coral and diamond miniature assumed bracelets in a Tiffany box had keen bidding and finally made £1,600. Continuing the theme of the slightly more unusual was lot 261 a woven hair bracelet, the broad plaited band with rococo style gilt clasp collet set with two oval portrait miniatures of William and Mary made £2,600. Another excellent price was achieved for lot 293 a circa 19th Century glass sampler demi-parure, the necklace comprising a riviere of oval cabochon multi coloured glass samples, the set including necklace, earrings and a pair of brooches made £5,200.

Collectors items saw lot 616 attract keen bidding from the phones and in the room. HMS Rawalpindi’s gang plank board, (148 x 38cm) sold with a framed letter from P&O to Mrs Taylor whose husband died when the ship was sunk by the Scharnhorst and Gneisenau on 23rd November 1939. The ship sank under the command of Captain EC Kennedy off Iceland. The Captain was father to Ludovic Kennedy and was lost with 37 officers and 226 men. The plank finally sold for £2,200.

Furniture also saw good prices throughout, in particular lot 768 a 19th Century Italian specimen marble table top, circa 1870 inlaid as a chess board with four micro mosaic vignettes of Rome, 66cm, finally fetched £7,600.