Interiors & Works of Art

Overview

Our Interiors and Works of Art section is an exciting and ever developing part of the auction. It is led by fashion, and as fashion changes, we look at auctioning a diverse range to reflect this ever changing market.

Under Works of Art we include bronzes, sculpture, textiles, natural history, treen, boxes, lighting and clocks. Interior pieces that attract attention are always sought after and sell well – past examples include taxidermy, stump works, candlesticks, lustres, signs, mirrors etc.

However, there are no hard and fast rules, unusual period interior pieces which attract attention, are always in demand. The bronzes and sculpture which sell particularly well are classical figures or Art Deco figures and groups. This period is particularly popular and the exotic names of Franz Bergman, Josef Lorenzl, Chiparus Barye and Edgar Brandt all stand out and are keenly contested in the saleroom.

Treen items are very collectable, for example Black Forest carvings and nutcrackers, Welsh lovespoons, snuff boxes, turned mortars and coffee grinders, made in fruitwood, sycamore, ash and lignum vitae.

Lovespoons are very sought after as are other quirky examples of treen. Within this area we include tea caddies, games, dressing, sewing and writing boxes. This is very much a collector’s market when the unusual and the decorative really take off. Regency and Empire candelabra and candlesticks remain popular in modern interiors and early brass and bronze candlesticks can sell strongly.

More ornate Louis XV style examples are less popular as Deco and mid-century modern lighting takes centre stage in people’s homes. Metalware such as Arts and Crafts copper, pewter and brass remain collectable, and a recent collection of designer pewter for Liberty and Co sold for £6000 (plus buyers premium).

Collectable clocks is a strong market with a large sized Drocourt carriage clock selling for £3600 (plus buyers premium) this year. More standard traditional carriage and long case clocks are less in vogue unless by London makers. Names to look out for in the carriage clock world are Frodsham, Dent and Jacot and look for London maker’s names on mantel and longcase clocks. Recently an unusual Regency mantel clock by Adams of Lombard Street, was hammered down for £1300 (plus buyers premium).