Excellent Sales at Mallams’ 16 September Country House Sale

A Maori Hei-Tiki Pendant was the top selling lot at Mallams’ Country House Sale on 16 September, selling to a buyer for a staggering £30,000. See full details here 

Overall the sale made £114,000, almost double the low end estimate, with approximately 21% of bidders using MallamsLive, our own online bidding platform.

A gothic arched oak door (lot 60), probably dating from the 14^th or 15^th century, which featured original battens to one side, iron engraved straps and exposed iron nailheads, also proved popular amongst bidders. The rarity and uniqueness of this lot meant it attracted a huge amount of interest, with the hammer eventually falling at £8200, against a top estimate of £4000.

Lot 4, a rosewood Anglo-Indian table, was another top-performing item, selling for £6800 against a conservative estimate of £200-£400.  Dating from the 19^th century it featured a floral design ivory inlay to the top, crossbanded frieze with drawer and a barley-twist stretcher.

Meissen was founded by King Augustus the Strong in 1710, making it the oldest porcelain manufactory still operating in Europe, so it’s no surprise that Meissen figures continue to be highly collectable. Mallams’ Country House Sale featured several Meissen lots and two of those performed particularly well. Lot 362, a pair of Meissen figures depicting a girl and a boy holding apples with a basket by their feet, after Alfred König, saw some strong bidding with a bid of £2500 securing the deal, and a group of five Meissen ‘Monkey Band’ porcelain figures (lot 415) with blue crossed swords mark, impressed numbers to the base and an estimate of £300-£500, also proved popular, eventually selling for £950.

Mallams Cheltenham is now inviting entries for its November Asian Art sale so if you have any interesting items you are considering selling at auction please email cheltenham@mallams.co.uk for a free, informal valuation.

All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).