Strong Sales at Mallams’ Home Sale
19/01/2021
With more people than ever using online portals to find interesting and unique pieces for their home, Mallams’ 18 January online Home Sale had strong bids in all areas, with the sale total well in excess of the top estimate. Almost 89% of lots sold, and Mallams’ own bidding platform, MallamsLive, continued to grow in popularity with approximately 23% of online bidders using this as their bidding platform of choice, saving themselves 6% in commission.
One of the top performing items was lot 301, an oil on canvas by Ernest Townsend, entitled ‘Marsh Marigolds’. Townsend was from the late 19th/early 20th century school and his painting was highly contested by online bidders, possibly encouraged by the low estimate, eventually selling to a UK based bidder for £3400.
Furniture proved particularly popular with interior design enthusiasts looking for items with a retro feel and clean, simple lines. Lot 326, a Howard & Son style light brown leather armchair, sold for £900 against its £200-£400 estimate, and lot 211, a late 19th/early 20th century green, upholstered easy chair surpassed its £120-£180 estimate, selling for £450. Another item which saw some highly competitive bidding was lot 310, consisting of a range of Ladderax shelving and cabinets. Estimated at £200-£400, the hammer eventually fell at £1200.
An early to mid 20th century continental, art nouveau-style sideboard (lot 176) which featured a marble top and walnut veneer, also performed well, more than doubling its top estimate to achieve £950.
A George III mahogany kneehole desk (lot 293) was also highly contested, selling for £480 against an estimate of £100-£200, and Art Deco enthusiasts loved lot 158, a pair of Art Deco-style cylindrical bedside cabinets made from burr walnut, which sold for £550 (estimate: £100-£200).
Mallams is now inviting entries for its February/March sales so if you have any interesting items you are considering selling at auction please email Henry Cooke on henry@mallams.co.uk or Duncan Lloyd on duncan.lloyd@mallams.co.uk for a free, informal valuation. Cases of wine and garden ornaments are of particular interest for Mallams next Abingdon House & Garden Sale scheduled for March. Mallams is still very much open for business and can offer, Covid-safe, remote valuations with couriers available to collect goods from you where appropriate.
All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).
