Circular Georgian lead cistern dated 1774 – £12,000 at Summers Place Auctions.
The 3ft 7in diameter x 4ft 6in high (1.1 x 1.38m) cistern, catalogued as a planter, which is their inevitable use today, also had an impressive past.
Dated 1774, it was initialled ID and bore a coat of arms centred with the red hand of Ulster, probably that of the Chetwynd family. Decorative touches adding to its appeal included signs of the Zodiac, Renaissance-style romaine heads and an elaborate bronze stylised dolphin tap.
Pitched at £5000-8000 at the October 1 sale at Billingshurst, it sold to a private UK buyer at £12,000.
