The perennial appeal of Robert Thompson oak furniture ensured almost all the highlights in the antique sale came from a single-owner private consignment of Mouseman oak furniture. Foremost was a six-drawer partner’s desk which went above estimate when it took £7000 from a Scottish dealer.
A pair of carved armchairs decorated with shield and rosette motifs doubled expectations at £2800, a similar pair fetched £2600, a side cabinet realised £4000 and six dining chairs brought £400.
While the Mouseman furniture was always expected to sell well, given the recent difficulties in finding buyers for large pieces of Victorian furniture the auction house set a more cautious £800-1200 estimate for a fine quality Victorian amboyna and inlaid breakfast credenza.
In the event, this private consignment caused the biggest surprise when two telephone buyers contested the quality entry to £6000.
Highlights of the architectural auction included a tall pair of marble urns at £3300 and a pair of 18ft x 7ft (5.49 x 2.13m) 19th century wrought iron gates from the old Mansfield Brewery which took £2100.
The Mouseman roars again
JUNE was a busy month for Wellers (15% buyer's premium) who hosted an 819-lot antique sale on June 12 in addition to a 4000-lot two-day architectural auction held off the premises at Enfield’s Reclaim Centre on June 11-12.