So our other local auction house has a sale coming up this week. It contains the usual eclectic and eccentric mix of le bon dieu c’est quoi. Here are some of the “highlights”.
A cartoon by Rudolk Pick, signed and dated 98, showing an African gentleman in smart attire and smoking a pipe, riding a zebra alongside a muzzled lion cub, watercolour, framed
A carved bone erotic couple, an erotic bone bottle and a four section bone erotic inro
A paperweight in the form of a flag pole with the Swastika at full mast
A small carton of plated items including a cheese dish with goat finial
An American sterling centrepiece bowl on tall loaded foot, a Greek 925 bowl, and a pair of loaded 925 dwarf candlesticks
[Loaded with 12-bore cartridges, presumably?]
A stuffed snowy owl in a glazed case, and a stuffed grouse
[I never cease to be surprised at the amount of taxidermy that’s around]
Six flying ducks wall plaques and two seagulls, a quantity of character salt and peppers including chickens, mice, farmer, postman, etc., sauce pots …
A pair of impressive decorative ewers, the bowls supported by two cherub figurines, and garlands of flowers
A splendid large Victorian glass dome enclosing a display of stuffed jay and parakeet, with outstretched wings, in grass surroundings
A large Chinese tilework guardian lion with paw on brocade ball
A mixed lot incl. an old Shell petrol can, miniature straw boater, silver banded walking stick …
An unusual mannequin decorated with vintage fabrics, flowers, beads and glitter fairy wings
An attractive French clock garniture in gilt-metal and bronze, of Louis XVI design, the bell-striking movement by Vincenti, with painted enamel dial, in drum case on gazebo support, with two-light candelabra side pieces … c.1900
A bronze figure of Christ crucified by Rossini
[Have we been being mis-sold all these years, or has Herod had a name-change?]
A taxidermy specimen of a red squirrel, with grasses, in glazed case, c.1900
[Yes, and there’s more!]
Two decorative halberds.
The ultimate in ironing boards by Lauraster, the frame combining a constant steam action with integrated iron, including two covers.
[Which sound more like an instrument of torture!]
A carton of good reference books incl. cokkery [sic], gardening …
A rare 1950s orange-painted basketwork globular linen basket, probably by Lloyd Loom, on a metal stand
[Another instrument of torture? Or is it a cat basket?]
And finally …
… an Imari chamber pot …
I think we’re just going to have to go and have a look at this collection!