Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information
Auction PR Publicity Announcements News and Information

THE MYSTERY OF THE CHINESE BOX

A mysterious antique Chinese box has just totalled £1,600 at auction this week, (25th June).

CHINESE BOXThe box discovered in a rural property in the Tamworth/Lichfield area appeared as Lot 655 in Richard Winterton Auctioneers of Lichfield three-day Antique, Home & Interiors Sale.

Oriental works of art of all varieties are kept back for specialist sales where they will attract the scrupulous attention of specialist buyers in this field. The box in question dates from the nineteenth century and measures 40cm wide and is made of lacquer, an ancient oriental technique. Of rectangular form it is inlaid with various hardstones and mother of pearl to form the ‘hundred boys’ pattern of figures at play in landscapes with trees, flowers and butterflies. A brass escutcheon ensures the lid can be securely locked implying it was made for containing something precious although its exact purpose remains a mystery.

Chinese works of art of all kinds are very much in demand with buyers from the orient keen to purchase their heritage. Two telephone bidders and Internet buyers from China took the box to a total of £1,600 with a one of the former clinching the piece.

Elsewhere in the same sale in the jewellery section Lot 120A, a diamond solitaire ring brought in over the counter sold way past the £3,000 expectation to bring a total of £6,500.

In the Collectors’ section Lot 591, a fine nineteenth century boxwood and ivory clarinet by Goulding of London had been donated to St Giles Hospice in Lichfield. It sold for £380 hammer price with proceeds going to St Giles.

In the ceramics section, Lot 694, a rare Royal Doulton Charge of the Light Brigade figure group sold for £1,560.

In the picture section Lot 1638, an oil painting by Michael Barnfather (1934) titled ‘Cheswardine’ sold to an absentee bid for £505.

In the furniture section, the current trend for post-war Danish design continues with Lot 1753 a set of six Danish teak dining chairs bringing £220 and Lot 1914, a trio of 1960’s Danish rosewood side tables realising £320. Traditional furniture was also holding up well with the £780 bid for Lot 1937, a Georgian oak dresser base.

The next three-day Antiques, Home & Interiors Sale is 22nd to 24th July and entries are now being invited. Please phone 01543 251081 or email [email protected] for further information.