A DIVERSE range of desirable items captivated antiques enthusiasts at Greenslade Taylor Hunt's November auction at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton.

A silver 12 place setting table service by Barber Brothers & Sons Ltd, Sheffield and Birmingham, 1935, took top billing and sold to a room bidder for £2,460.

Not far behind was a well -viewed matched pair of fox head silver stirrup cups. Believed to have been made by Neresheimer & Co, Hanau, Germany. A net bidder paid £1,480 for the pair.

A collection of Swarovski crystal consigned by a single owner proved appealing and collectively sold for more than £3,700.

Bridgwater Mercury:

• SPARKLING: Single owner collection of Swarovski Crystal birds sold in the October and November sales made over £5,000

A small – just 12 cm high - intricately designed Royal Worcester reticulated teapot (below) in the manner of George Owen charmed the internet and a phone bidder. The phone bidder eventually won the battle for possession and paid £1,050 for the beautifully produced piece.

Bridgwater Mercury:

The oriental section also attracted good prices. A battle of the phones ensued over a Chinese carved hardwood box with jade lid.  One phone bidder edged out the other with a claim of £925.

A significant book and maps section rounded off the sale. A limited edition illustrated edition of stories by Hans Andersen was the top seller. Artist Edmund Dulac had signed and illustrated the copy, which dated from 1911. It sold for £675 to a room bidder.

Bridgwater Mercury:

• BEST SELLER: Limited edition illustrated edition of stories by Hans Andersen sold for £675

Once again tiny articles held sway as a Magee's Miniature Almanack for 1782 with hand coloured pictorial boards, engraved frontispiece of Hibernia measuring 7cm by 4cm in its original gilt-tolled leather wallet was bought for £245.

Other notable sums achieved in this section included a minute book for the Associated Board of the Royal Academy of Music and Royal College of Music, 1890-1982, which fetched £370.

The same sum was achieved for a manuscript commonplace book, circa 1770s-80s, comprising notes, quotes, maxims, historical facts and a few recipes.

Entries are being accepted for the December sale, which takes place on Thursday, December 6. For more information please contact the saleroom on 01823 332525.

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