Posted on: 30 November 2021
November in Review
The November auction closed the year with a bang, rounding off our 2021 auction calendar with a record-breaking two-day auction. “2021 has been a year full of new challenges for Trevanion Auctioneers, as it has been for so many businesses up and down the country,” Christina Trevanion. “In the past twelve months, we have undergone a major refurbishment, an extensive building project, emerged from a third national lockdown, and taken on some of the largest, most important collections that the team and I have handled to date. When we re-opened our doors in April, there were feelings of anticipation and trepidation, but the response has been overwhelming, with record-breaking results across the board. I am incredibly proud of what we, as a team, have accomplished this year.”
Three single owner collections were at the heart of this month’s auction. Day one began with an exquisite collection of jewellery belonging to a Shropshire business woman, amassed over two decades. Highlights from the collection included an exquisite 19th century brooch by renowned jewellers Arthur & Carlo Giuliano which sold for £2,000, an unusual enamelled locket pendant depicting a masked woman which made £1,600, and a belle epoque diamond brooch which sold for £1,200. “This collection has been a joy to handle,” says head of the jewellery department Helena Waudby. “The collector’s passion for jewellery was evident, with exceptional examples ranging across all eras of design, from Georgian gems to 20th century masterpieces. In all, there were over 130 pieces in the collection, all of which sold. With such a broad and varied selection of pieces on offer, there truly was something for everyone!”
Other stars from the jewellery section included a beautiful sapphire and diamond cluster ring which sold to a private buyer for £5,000 (destined to be opened on Christmas morning!), a diamond five stone brooch which brought £3,200 and an Art Deco emerald and diamond ring with took £2,900. “This year we have handled a number of exquisite gemstones, many of which have exceeded our pre-sale estimates. The appetite for coloured stones in particular has shown exponential growth this year, and going into 2022 it shows no sign of slowing down,” said Helena. “The jewellery department at Trevanion Auctioneers has yielded some exceptional results for our clients thanks to Helena’s expertise. As a fellow of the gemological association and a certified diamond grader, Helena has grown the jewellery department to be one of the biggest in the region. I am very proud of her achievements,” said Christina.
Also being offered on day one of the auction was a large collection of art consigned by a collector from the North West. The collection included a charming oil painting titled ‘Mee-i-ow!” by Victorian artist John Morgan, depicting two children playing with their cat, which made £4,600 plus buyer’s premium, and ‘The Prisoner’ by Edmund Blair Leighton (British, 1852-1922) which shows a bound man being fed by his captors, which sold for £3,400 plus buyer’s premium. “This was a collection of diverse works covering many styles, periods and subjects – from portraiture to landscapes – but they were all linked by their quality” said valuer Simon Grover. “Many were relatively small scale, making them ideal for modern interiors, but it was great to see larger works like ‘Mee-i-ow’ selling so strongly.”
Day two of the sale saw some impressive results from a private consignment of furniture and works of art from a Shrewsbury vendor. The top results from the second day came from a large and impressive pair of 19th century style cast iron garden Campana urns on plinths, standing over 1.6 metres high, which sold for £4,400 plus buyer’s premium. They were closely followed by a stunning bust of British Prime Minister and former MP for Shrewsbury Benjamin Disraeli by Italian sculptor Mario Raggi, which measured nearly a metre tall, and made £3,000 plus buyer’s premium. “Country house pieces like these are something of a speciality for us here at Trevanion’s commented auctioneer Ian Woodward. “Finding new homes for impressive and important pieces such as these is a joy, and it’s great to know we are playing our part in helping to preserve the nation’s heritage”.
Another owner collection will be coming to the fore again in Trevanion’s January sale, which will comprise a vast collection, of classical antiquities and art from a Chichester collector. “Entering the house was like visiting a museum” say Christina Trevanion, “I’ve never seen anything quite like it – there were beautiful objects on every surface and spilling out of every cupboard and drawer!” The auction will take place on 12th January, and should prove an auspicious start to the new year. “After a challenging 2021, we have high hopes for 2022” says Christina, “my team and I are feeling hugely positive about the future, and looking forward to a new year full of exciting finds and great auctions”.
Trevanion Auctioneers will begin taking consignments for their February auction in the new year.
