A STRONG Oriental ceramics and works of art section performed impressively at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s September antiques sale.

Although only a small entry featured at the auction at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton, it contributed a hefty sum towards the overall sales total.

A mighty tussle among would-be internet buyers saw the price of a Chinese porcelain bowl climb stratospherically. Three phone bidders were left on the sidelines as the price tag soared ever higher. However as the internet drew breath a phone bidder took command of proceedings and bought the colourful bowl, which featured a procession of figures, for £11,100.

The internet proved more successful with a Chinese pot pourri and secured this piece for £1,230. In the same section a patinated metal figure of a wading bird, thought to be from the Japanese Meiji period, sold to a net bidder for £420.

Before the sale commenced principal auctioneer Derek Biss noted it was full of variety with something for everyone and his comments proved correct as a veritable cornucopia of lots went under the hammer during the day-long event.

A varied jewellery section, which had been well viewed prior to the sale, offered something for most price points, while those with deep pockets were amply rewarded.

Top lot in this section was a super 11 stone diamond cluster ring, which sold to a room bidder for £1,600, while a plain nine carat gold cigarette case went to a commission bidder, who paid £1,300.

A room bidder proved successful with a pair of lapis lazuli and diamond drop earrings. These were bought for £500, a pretty diamond and pearl bar brooch, circa 1900, sold for £400 to an internet bidder.

There was a striking performance from the clocks section with a large 8-day Edwardian bracket clock taking top honours and was bought online for £1,110.

A George III mahogany eight-day longcase clock was another net star and sold for £400. Just behind this was an 18th Century Irish 8-day longcase clock that went for £350.

The same sum was achieved for an Arts and Crafts copper charger, signed and dated by John Pearson. Decorated with a peacock, it was a handsome piece.

Continuing the animal theme in the ceramic section a Royal Copenhagen figure of a badger proved an internet hit and sold for £300.

The saleroom is already accepting items for next month’s antiques sale, which takes place on Thursday, October 5. Entries have now closed for the biannual Autumn Sporting Sale, which follows on Friday, October 6.

For more information about forthcoming sales and valuation events ring the saleroom on 01823-332525.