Ottery Auction Rooms had over 900 lots in their last Antique and Fine Art Sale at the Finnimore Industrial Estate Auction Rooms. There were interesting and quirky items from all over the world things. It is the burgeoning economy of China that is producing dividends with approx. 100 lots of Chinese ceramics, glass. paintings, weaponry and silk works being fiercely contested with bidders in the room, on telephones and on the internet. Some of these items were sold directly to China via the live internet bidding service offered by Ottery Auction Rooms and some items bought by Chinese runners who will take their purchases back to their employers in Mainland China and Hong Kong and some items went into the hands of English collectors.

Among the big ticket items was a delightful set of Chinese watercolours on rice paper bound in a silk folio. This lot dated to the late 19th century and was in a very fragile state and sold to the European market for £2900 (incl. Prem.). A set of ivory snooker balls again selling to the Chinese market reached £1500 plus premium, these will never be played with but carved into puzzle balls and netsuke. An interesting collection of four late 19th century and later Chinese pole arms sold for £1400 to European trade and an early jade Cong sold for £300 again to the Chinese market.

The gold and silver again proved to be worth more than its weight, again this is partially down to the need of gold and silver in China for their new technologies market. A sovereign bracelet sold to a collector for £1000 plus commission. While a half sovereign sold to a collector for £170.

Among the quirky items a large collection of over 300 hickory shafted golf clubs sold for £1000 plus premium to a collector who will go onto restore them. An old petrol pump globe made £290 plus premium and three old enamel signs made £470 amongst the higher end automobilia items.

Two items that would have destined for jumble sale or tip that were spotted by eagle eyed auctioneer was a painting by Alexander Sofronoff, a Russian emigrant who lived in Ceylon made £230 and a damaged early 19th century Staffordshire lion made £150 much to the surprise of the owner who admitted it would have gone to the tip.

So bring your items down to the saleroom for a free appraisal alternatively call auctioneer valuer David Sumner on 01404 811800 for on site visit.

Our next sales to be held at Ottery Auction Rooms are on Saturday November 9th and then the Christmas gifts and general items sale on Saturday 7th December.