A RUSSIAN Imperial porcelain plate realised £5,800 in Tamlyns Auctioneers of Bridgwater’s Antique Auction, which was held on Wednesday, March 8.
The plate, which was spotted during a routine house visit by one of the auctioneers’ specialists, came from the Raphael Service of Alexander III (1845-1894) who was the Emperor of Russia, King of Poland and Grand Duke of Finland from March 13, 1881, until his death on November 1, 1894. The plate, which had a centrally painted female figure with a classical border with cherubs in roundels and a gilt Imperial cypher for Alexander III, attracted worldwide interest with bidders from as far away as the USA and Singapore.
Further included in the auction was a Japanese Scroll, which realised £7,800 after a lengthy phone battle. The scroll was a gouache picture of magpies and prunus laid onto material, and was a number of Oriental items which attracted a worldwide audience. A Japanese carved ivory of a netsuke of an Oni seated on a large claw, from the Meiji period, realised £420, whilst a further Indonesian ivory figure of a Buddha seated on a dragon throne, with inset glass red eyes, realised £150.
In the jewellery section, a ladies platinum solitaire diamond ring with a brilliant cut diamond, claw set and four small diamonds to each shoulder realised £2,500. In a very strong section, a 14ct gold and diamond cluster ring realised £600, and a 14ct gold bracelet, £280.
A 18ct gold ‘Cartier’ Tank wristwatch, the face with white dial and craquelure effect and black Roman numerals, realised £460, and a plain 9ct golf stamp/sovereign case, £500. An eight-day longcase clock with an arched painted dial and moving Adam and Eve figures, mounted into a case, sold for £250.
In the furniture section, a large early 20th century Arts and Crafts-style oak club fender attracted considerable pre-sale interest which materialised on the day, selling for £680. A mahogany Regency what-not, of four shelves on turned columns and with the top fitted as an adjustable reading/writing slope, also drew in the bidders to sell for £440. Also included was a 20th century oak hat, coat and umbrella stand, which realised £220; a 1970s extending teak dining table with six upholstered arm chairs, £270, and a William IV mahogany writing table, £170.
Tamlyns are currently inviting entries for their forthcoming Antique Auction, which is to be held on Wednesday, April 19. A weekly valuation morning takes place every Friday from 9.30am-12.30pm at their Bridgwater saleroom, with the roadshow valuation mornings taking place at Dulverton (9.30am-12.30pm) on Thursday, March 23 and Worlebury Golf Club (9.30am-12.30pm) on Monday, March 27.
If you are unable to attend one of the valuation mornings, or for larger consignments, a free house visit can be arranged with one of Tamlyns’ Specialists. For further information on consigning items for any of Tamlyns’ auctions, please contact the saleroom on 01278-445251 or via e-mail at saleroom@tamlyns.co.uk.