The power of the world wide web was never more evident than at Morphets Autumn Fine Art and Antique Catalogue sale held on the 6th September at the Saleroom on Albert Street, Harrogate.

The auction was the first of Morphets’ Catalogue sales to offer live internet bidding to potential purchasers world wide.  Buyers can see an image of the lot being sold and listen to the auction in real time choosing when to join in as the bidding progresses.  The sale was a huge success with top price of the day going to an oilpainting, illustrated above, and entitled ‘Crossing the Dunes’, by the Irish artist, Daniel O’Neill that realised £32,000.

As well as live internet bidding, Morphets use extensive marketing to bring the sale to the attention of the right people including a bespoke e-mail highlighting the principal lots and with a link to the fully illustrated on-line catalogue, which is sent to 30,000 subscribers world wide. 

However as any regular auction goer will tell you there is nothing quite like being in the room, to experience first hand the buzz, as the telephone commission clerks start to dial, the sense of something about to happen as the air imperceptibly stills for a second as if waiting for the sound of the starting gun, the commission clerks are all quietly muttering into the telephones, informing their bidder that the lot is coming up and then they’re off and the bids ricochet around the room, until a ping-pong dual between the last two finally slows and the hammer comes down.

The bids were coming thick and fast from the floor, the telephones and ‘the ether’ for a collection of seven original works by Louis Wain, famed for his scenes of cats.  The collection realised in excess of £30,000 in total.  A fantastic Victorian electroplated centrepiece by Elkington & Co, illustrated below, realised nearly double the pre-sale estimate at £5,900.  A three stone diamond ring realised £5,600 and a study of a young boy on the shore line by Henry Scott Tuke sold for £5,500.

Furniture prices were strong and a good offering of 18th and 19th century pieces with good pedigrees, were keenly contested.  A handsome George III mahogany chest on chest sold at £3000, a large walnut display cabinet went to the trade at £2,600.  Highlight amongst a good private collection of watches was a gentleman’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual Explorer wristwatch at £2,000.

Morphets next Fine Art and Antique Catalogue sale is on 29th November and entries of furniture, ceramics, works of art, paintings, jewellery, clocks and barometers, objets d’art and collectors’ items are being accepted now and until the deadline for entries on 2nd November.

If you would like advice on the auction value of your items please contact Elizabeth Pepper-Darling or Andrew Hepworth on 01423 530030.

  

 

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