The first half of the year the Motley Crew has seen some wonderful lots pass through the auction room. Not only has the number of online bidders grown, but the ever-increasing number of people attending the auctions has returned to pre-covid levels.

 The rising price of gold and silver has seen an explosion in the number of lots offered and prices realised. In particular a Patek Philippe 18ct gold Ricochet purse watch fetched £9,175* at the fall of the hammer. On a more traditional note, a silver cased pocket watch by possibly the greatest English clock and watch maker Thomas Tompion realised £7,810* after intense telephone bidding.

 Militaria remains a strong market with medal groups always proving popular with collectors and investors. Items with an interesting back story of good provenance are at premium. Included in our July sale was a World War II Luftwaffe pilot’s watch which sold for £3,470*.

 Whilst there are green shoots for ‘brown’ furniture, interior designers are still looking at 1960’/70’s furniture especially any Scandinavian, Italian and Danish pieces are sort after. A pair of ‘Japan’ chairs designed by Finn Juhl for France Daverkosen sold for £1,985*. In the same vane a contemporary raku fired model of a seated fox by Jennie Hale realised £435*.

 On a more traditional note a pair of 19^th century Irish decanters from Cork fetched £245* despite missing their stoppers. A large Victorian silver trophy vase of tapering form sold for £3,350*.

 The Motley crew always enjoys something different and five different locomotive plates hit the mark, of which the ‘Duchess of Gloucester’ was the most expensive realising £22,550*. ‘If music be the food of love’ then we certainly hit the right note when a Henri Selmer Series II alto saxophone was sold to a telephone bidder for £1,800*.

 *prices include buyer’s premium at 20% +VAT

Entries Invited for our September 8th/9th 2025 Jewellery, Antiques & Collector's Sale
We are looking for:
Jewellery, Watches, Silver, Mid Century Furniture & Design, Coins, Toys, Collectables, Asian Antiques & Ceramics, Records, Musical Instruments & Hifi, Art, Quality Antique Furniture, Militaria, And More!