Autumn gliding into view with a wonderful result

9th September 2026

The September Antiques & Interiors auction felt like the last breaths of summer as we all march our way into the autumn of 2026, and it must be said that the September 9^th sale showed great hope amid the darkening evenings and tumbling leaves.

The sale started extremely well with some tremendous results within the ceramics and glass section. Most notably, with the single owner collection of Bovey Tracey “Our Gang” figures, comprising wonderful war time depictions of WWII leaders and characters of the time – such as Land Girl, ARP Warden and Tommy the soldier. The collection of 27 figures, split into 12 lots made a collective hammer total of £20,220. The best of the group being lot 36, comprising Nurse, Sailor, New Zealand and Australian Anzacs, that made £8,500.  It was amazing to see the variety of prices within the groups, driven by the individual rarities of each figure; the one to find, is Mussolini with the “baddies” of the period fetching greater sums.

Our typical works of art section began with a large collection of antiquarian and collectors books, and like with so many things these days, the 20^th century productions lead the charge with £1600 seen for the Lord of The Rings trilogy printed in 1955. We then gained £1,150 for a deeply patinated Mouseman bowl – obviously showing it to be one of his earlier works, as opposed to a later factory piece.  Of the sculptural offerings £1000 came from a stern looking bronze bison, £1400 for an early polychrome carving of Saint Peter and £2700 was seen for a beautiful marble of Hebe with the Eagle of Jupiter by Joseph Cassaigne.

The silver and jewellery sold as well as ever, with 12 four figure sums raised including £1700 for a stunning emerald and diamond cluster ring, £2100 for a pair of diamond drop earrings amid the jewellery lots and £2,300 each for three 18k gold pocket watches.  Of the silver the most notable pieces were a beautifully produced aesthetic etched three-piece tea service that fetched £1550, a four-piece George V service that made £2200 and a late Victorian table service of 76 pieces that made £5200.

The paintings came next with all their usual gusto, with international names and local artists presented as equals around the walls of our saleroom. Of the “none-local” artists we saw £1200 for a calm and intricate still life by John Bulloch Souter and £1500 came for a vibrant image of Provence by Frederick Gore.  Northern artist and famed man of the Lake District William Heaton Cooper gained £2100 and £2200 respectively for two classic views, including one from Lingmoor across to Blea Tarn, with the peaks of Langdale looming in the distance.  We then crashed into the wonderful array of Yorkshire artists, but do not let that fool you, as the international spirit was kept alive with a wonderful offering of works by David Hockney.  A brilliant man by the name of Mark Senior stood out, known for his oil landscapes dappled with sunlight, his three paintings saw prices of £1150, £1800 and £2600; the best being a wonderfully loose image of Runswick Bay.  Mr Hockney claimed a highlight with £2800 for a “1st British International Print Biennale” signed in pencil, and Peter Brook stole the crown of the section with £3200 and £5000 for two depictions of ruinous Yorkshire farms in the snow.

We ended the day with the clocks and furniture, which after the drama of the paintings, came with a lot of reliability and comfort, with the majority of lots hitting their expected estimates. Within the clocks two brilliantly gothic oak cased bracket clocks made £1,150 and £1550 respectively; both as wonderfully traditional in form as any clock could ever be.  However, flying in the face of this traditional triumph, all the highlights amid the furniture came within the 20^th century made produce, with a set of four stylish Danish dining chairs by Hans Wegner making £1300, a stunning modern Silverlining dining table and chairs making £1350 and a Mouseman display cabinet that made £2800.

The sale was a fantastic success with highlights throughout, as well as some real surprises; thanks to Bovey Tracey!  Work has already begun on the Christmas Fine Sale, which boasts all the usual sections, as well as a specialist small silver and bijouterie section – perfect for some stocking fillers. Our Toy Sale kicks off soon on October 10^th and our Wine Sale is building until our final date of entries on October 23^rd; it’s all go!