With a moulded cornice above four arched glazed doors, and two central panelled doors enclosing a fitted interior of six drawers, it was of good quality and obviously represented good value for someone with a large enough house to accommodate it. It fetched £5500.
Furniture provided most of the top sellers, with an early 19th century rosewood circular pedestal table inlaid with a satinwood marquetry design making £1500 and a decorative 19th century gilt and gesso-mounted overmantel mirror, elaborately moulded with birds of prey, going at £2200.
At Keys 1439-lot sale on July 13-14, the highlight was an early 19th century mahogany longcase with an eight-day movement by Robert Pilch of North Walsham and a rocking ship automaton. Although the market for longcases is fairly flat at the moment, this was unusual enough to realise £4400.
Among the collectables was a trio of 6 1/4in (16cm) high Mabel Lucie Atwell figures by Shelley – the Bride, Bridegroom and Curate. Although the curate’s head was off, the group fetched £1600.
Bookcase at £5500 sees Victorian values restored
BULKY Victorian brown furniture may be the least attractive subject at many sales, but the most expensive entry at Keys (10% buyer's premium) 1386-lot Norfolk outing on August 3-4 was a 9ft square (2.74m) mahogany library breakfront bookcase.
