The European decorative arts that preceded the tribal session at John Nicholson’s (24% buyer's premium) on October 10 had included a handful of notable bids, not least the £14,500 (estimate £300-500) tendered by an Italian buyer for a small early 20th century Louis Vuitton leather box measuring just 11in (27cm) across.
It dated from the same era of the Louis Vuitton clothes trunk but is a scarcely seen form. In addition to stamped brass hinges and locks was the gilt-tooled serial number 744908.
There was also plenty of competition for an unusual 18th century two-division square tea caddy set with a series of mother-of-pearl ovals listing the virtues. It had a token £200-300 estimate but took £3600.
