Boldon Auction Galleries: February 2020

Friday, 28 February 2020

Delightful Durham!

Lot 326
A white Durham quilt, the reverse with pink outer border, central floral medallion and pink floral design, 250cm x 212cm approx.
Estimate £150 - £200
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

R. L. Howey Watercolour Study

Lot 424
Watercolour, R. L. Howey, study of fishing trawlers mending nets, unframed and unmounted, 46 x 38cm
Estimate £150 -£250
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

Cartier Class

Lot 354
A Cartier ladies stainless steel ‘Tank’ watch, model number 2384, case number 765337 UF (boxed, instructions and outer sleeve)
Estimate £500-£600
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

Terrific Tiffany

Lot 342
A Tiffany and Co designed by Elsa Peretti 18ct gold ‘Teardrop ring’ stamped 750, weight 18.5 gram
Estimate £300-£400
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

One of many Tiffany lots we have for Auction on the 4th of March.

Super selection of Jewellery to be auctioned

Lot 358
An 18ct gold ring, mounted with 12 0.05ct old cut diamonds, size 'T', 4.1g
Estimate £800-£1,000
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

The heart of Cartier

Lot 326
An 18ct gold Cartier diamond encrusted heart shape pendant, with round brilliant cut diamonds and an 18ct chain. Pendant stamped Cartier 750, J11666 (with box and outer sleeve)
Estimate £800-£1,200For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

Classic silver gilt writing set

Lot 315
A silver gilt writing set in tooled leather case, comprising Capstan inkwell, dip pen, nib brush and wax holder, John Collard Vickery, Birmingham, 1909, together with a boxed wax seal set
Estimate £150-£250
For Auction Antiques and Interiors Sale 4th March 2020

Thursday, 27 February 2020

Poor as a Church Mouse

Over the years Boldon Auction Galleries have sold many pieces of Robert "Mousey" Thompson hand crafted wooden items. From ashtrays, tables, chairs, lamp bases, cheeseboards and stools.

However we have to say this is a Boldon Auction Galleries first - a full size pulpit entered into the Antique and Interiors Sale on Wednesday 4th March.

A Robert "Mouseman" Thompson oak pulpit of carved panelled form, with integral steps, book shelf, seat and book rest, having signature carved mouse with long tail running up the front of the pulpit.
137cm high, 123cm x 119cm wide
Estimate £800 - £1,200

Robert Thompson's firm has gone from strength to strength from humble beginnings in 1894 to the successful business it is today. With a visitors centre, cafe and shop it is well worth making a trip to the heart of the Yorkshire Dales.

Before Robert Thompson took over the family business of carpenter, joiner and wheelwright he was employed by an engineering firm in the West Riding. On his way home from work Robert would often stop at Ripon Cathedral and admire the medieval oak furnishings which later inspired him to study the qualities of the British oak and the tools that would have been used by Medieval craftsmen.

In 1919 Robert received his first commission from Father Paul Neville from Ampleforth College who was looking for someone to build a large oak memorial cross for the Catholic Cemetery at Ampleforth. Robert made a large number of hand carved oak furniture and fittings for churches, schools and public buildings many of which can still be seen in situ.

There are two striking characteristics of Robert "Mousey" Thompson craftsmanship:

The use of the adze, a hoe like tool which produces a ripple effect on the surface of the wood.
The trademark mouse which is carved on all pieces.
Robert Thompson once explained the trademark: “The origin of the mouse as my mark was almost in the way of being an accident. I and another carver were carving a huge cornice for a screen and he happened to say something about being as poor as a church mouse. I said I will carve a mouse here and did so, and then it struck me, what a lovely trademark.”

Robert Thompson died on 8th December 1955 and is buried in the churchyard next to his workshop, in the grounds of Kilburn Parish Church.

Please click on this link to see a delightful film made by husband and wife film makers Cyril and Betty Ramsden in 1948 from the Yorkshire Film Archive

Fascinatingly Cyril and Betty who lived near Kilburn had met Robert Thompson who agreed they could make the film on condition he did not appear in it and that he should see it first. The film was shown in Kilburn village hall and Cyril and Betty received a large bowl of brown eggs, home cured ham and a collection of £5 for their efforts.

Tuesday, 25 February 2020

What came first the Chicken or the Egg ?

A large Victorian Staffordshire pottery Hen on a basket egg tureen

to be sold in the Antiques and Interiors Sale

on Wednesday 4th March

Back by Popular Demand

Friday, 21 February 2020

Enamel style

Auctioneer Giles Hodges' auction pick was

Lot 126 An original enamel bread bin, with original cardboard box, sold for £25 19th February 2020

"classic design in great condition"

White and Newton

Lot 392 A teak White and Newton sideboard, with table and four Eon chairs, sold for £280 19th February 2020

Music to our ears

Lot 79.
A Sigma acoustic guitar and case, a Tanglewood and case and an amp sold for £190 19th February 2020

Gamer's Delight

Lot 274. An Omen laptop (a/f) sold for £220 19th February 2020

Reynolds of Ludlow

Auctioneer Tom Robson's favourite lot of the Auction was

Lot 345. A Reynolds of Ludlow coffee table sold for £160, 19th February 2020

"distinctive style and quality"