14 March 2023 | 9.30 AM GMT
Spring Fine Sale Catalogue
Clifford's Sale Preview Video for the Spring Fine Sale
Auction Preview
Lady Anne Blencowe
This Spring sale brings an array of antiques and collectables, hopefully with something for everyone. Starting from lot 1 with something to tempt the sweet of tooth; a cookery book from the late 17th century, handwritten by Lady Anne Blencowe with receipts (recipes) for such delights as bisketts, gingerbread, egg cheesecakes, Lady Probyn’s custard pancakes, Mrs Steptoes orange cream and Mrs Barnardistons sago pudding.
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Lot 1
Manuscript Cookery Book of Lady Anne Blencowe
Estimate: £5,000 - £6,000
Dicken’s Christmas Carol
Budding authors might like to consider lot 11, a first edition of Dicken’s Christmas Carol. It was published on 19 December 1843, selling 6,000 copies in the first few days. Despite its enormous success it was a financial disaster for Dickens who’d insisted on a fine coloured binding and endpapers with gilt lettering. Although it went into seven editions by May 1844 almost all the profits were absorbed in the expenses of binding, special papers, coloured plates and advertising, and Dickens found himself overdrawn on his Coutts account, and had to ask his friend Mitton for a (further) loan. The copy on offer is in perfect condition.
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Lot 11
Dickens, Charles - A Christmas Carol
Estimate: £5,000 - £8,000
Laphroaig 1976 & 1977
For those who prefer a wee dram, we have lots 28 & 29; limited edition bottles of Laphroaig 1976 & 1977. Take your pick, the 1977 has been the more expensive of the two in the past.
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Lot 28
A boxed bottle of Laphroaig Vintage 1977 Isla
Estimate: £800 - £1,200
Lot 29
A bottle of Laphroaig Vintage 1976 Islay
Estimate: £600 - £800
Quentin Bell for Fulham Pottery
Work your way through the Miscellanea, past assorted weapons, various bronzes, Vuitton trunks and into the ceramics to find two art pottery pieces by Quentin Bell. Lots 73 & 74, a pottery group and a dish. Demand for his work has seen a notable increase in recent years.
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Lot 74
Quentin Bell (1910-1996) for Fulham Pottery
Estimate: £400 - £600
A Chinese Imperial Blue Glazed Vessel (1736-95)
In the Asian art section, Dan has high hopes for lot 119, a Chinese Imperial ritual offering vessel part of an altar set used in state rituals held in the first lunar month of the year, during which the emperor made offerings to heaven at the Altar for Bountiful Harvest.
The archaistic shape of these sets was not designed until 1748 when the Qianlong emperor approved designs before manufacturing could begin.
The objects were illustrated and described in The Illustrated Regulations for Ceremonial Paraphernalia of the Qing Dynasty (Huangchao liqi tushi) and a similar vessel is in the Metropolitan Museum of Art.
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Lot 119
A Chinese Imperial Blue Glazed Vessel
Estimate: £2,000 - £3,000
A Charles I Oak Refectory Table
For those seeking oak dining furniture, we have a selection of refectory tables. Lot 255 is a Charles I example estimated at £4,000-6,000 and the others have varying ages, and finesse and are estimated accordingly.
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Lot 255
A Charles I Oak Refectory Table
Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000
Our Picture Section
The picture section includes a number of Old Masters, several good works by Albert Goodwin and from down under lot 416, ‘Jacaranda in full blossom’ by Cressida Campbell. This Australian artist has an unusual technique involving engraving a woodblock and then painting it with layers of watercolour. The tranquil study is a beautiful thing to behold.
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Lot 416
Cressida Campbell (Australian, 1960-), Jacaranda in Full Blossom
Estimate: £120,000 - £160,000
A Magnificent Group of Medals
For those with an interest in history have a look at lot 461, a magnificent group of Afghanistan, Indian General Service, Boer War, and Great War of eleven medals, awarded to General Sir John Eccles Nixon, GCMG KCB, who was the General responsible for the disastrous first British Expedition against Baghdad, in Mesopotamia. Simon Muggleton has kindly written an erudite essay on this remarkable group of medals.
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Lot 461
A magnificent group of Afghanistan, Indian General Service, Boer War, and Great War of eleven medals
Estimate: £12,000 - £16,000
Watches and Jewellery
And last but never least have a look at the watches and jewellery on offer. An impressive selection includes lot 527 a 3.3ct emerald cut diamond and 512 a charming 1930s charm bracelet.
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Lot 527
A Platinum and Emerald Cut Diamond Ring
Estimate: £8,000 - £12,000
Viewing
Friday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Monday: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
