June 2008 Fine Art and Antiques Catalogue Sale

Morphets Summer Catalogue Sale held on 5th June was a resounding success.  In the run up to the sale the level of interest was huge with literally hundreds of condition report requests from overseas and UK buyers.

A collection of paintings, Oriental ceramics and works of art and early English porcelain, originally from a Nidderdale Hall, which came under the hammer after being in store for nearly twenty years caused a frenzy of interest in a market hungry for fresh goods. 

Interest from China, private collectors here in the UK and specialist dealers went into battle over the ceramics, using on-line live bidding, telephone bidding, commission bids and in the room.  Highlights from the section included a pair of Chinese Wucai vases and covers of Transitional period, painted with galloping horses and mountains realised £3,500 despite extensive damage to one cover and a pair of Chinese famille verte vases and associated covers realised £5,000 again despite damage.  A pair of Chinese famille verte  salts of hexagonal form, chipped, realised £2,700.

Chinese famille verte vases

and associated covers

Paintings from the hall included a landscape with peasant family, cattle and goat, attributed to school of Francesco Zuccarelli (1702-1788), illustrated here, which realised £25,000 and an 18th century river valley landscape with herdsman and travellers attributed to Loutherbourg which realised £19,000.

School of Francesco Zuccarelli

A collection of five works by Tom McGuinness (1926-2006) a member of the Staithes Group of artists who lived and worked on the East Coast sold well on the day realising a total of £7,670.   McGuinness’ gritty depiction of life down the pit, might not be to everyone’s taste, but certainly has a strong following and one guesses collectors of his work may well have connections to the mining industry who appreciate the realism and sense of camaraderie depicted in the scenes, as can be seen in the mixed media scene of two men sawing pit props illustrated here which realised £1,400.

A bronze horse by  Walter Winans (1852-1920) was well contested between a descendent of the sculptor, bidding on the telephone, who outbid a gentleman in the room at £6,500.  A pair of Blue John vases realised £1800 and a tortoiseshell tea caddy realised £950.

The book section sold extremely well and top price of the day was Captain Thomas William’s Foreign Field Sports, fisheries, Sporting Anecdotes etc, published in 1819 and illustrated with one hundred and ten fine hand coloured aquatints, which sold at £1300.  

For further highlights of the sale click here

Morphets next Fine Art and Antique Catalogue sale is to be held on 4th September and entries are being accepted now and until the deadline 8th August.

Live Bidding for catalogue sales

Morphets now have live internet bidding for Fine Art and Antiques catalogue sales.

The move to internet bidding will enable clients from around the world to listen to the sale as it progresses and bid in real time from their home or office.

To register for Live Bidding please visit www.the-saleroom.com.  Please note that any bids made through the-saleroom will attract an additional 3% plus VAT Buyers Premium.

Morphets' Valuation Team Expands

Well known amongst auction goers, Andrew Hepworth, pictured here, has joined Morphets’ valuation team to expand and develop their growing business interests throughout the North of England.

Previously with Bonhams Leeds, Andrew is a Yorkshire man born and bred, hailing originally from Dewsbury and educated in Leeds. He began his training in 1999 in Leeds with the London Auctioneers, Phillips, who were later acquired by Bonhams in 2001.

Andrew, as a general valuer, brings a wealth of experience of the Fine Art and Antique market, specialising in Furniture, Works of Art and English Ceramics.