It's the way we were

Last week we had a fantastic sale here at Boldon Auction Galleries, with a lot of interest placed on the diaries and photos linked to local newspapers! We had so much fun in the saleroom, excited with anticipation to see who would be the lucky winner... You can read about the photos and diaries in the above article by The Chronicle

Beauty in Black and White

This exquisite Vizagapatam Easel mirror will be offered for Auction on Wednesday 16^th March with an estimate of £200-£300.

Vizagapatam District was the largest district in the Madras Presidency of British India until 1936.  The town of Vizagapatam was a principal trading port between Europe and East Asia with the Honourable East India Company establishing a base there.  

In its heyday it must have been a fascinating bustling place with ships passing through on their way to and from China and England.  

The outstanding craftsmanship on this mirror is typical of the grey or black decoration on creamy white ivory that is seen in furniture, mirrors, sewing boxes, trinket boxes and the like from the early 18^th century onwards.

Fight of the Century

A certified official cap badge from the 1971 MSG World Heavy weight Championship between Ali and Frazier, with an Official Inaugural Induction Cover and photo of Carmen Basilio ( an Italian-American professional boxer who was the world champion in both the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions and good friend to Ali) signing and holding it.

In 1971, with both Ali and Frazier having legitimate claims to the title of World Heavyweight Champion. a tremendous amount of hype and anticipation was created for a match pitting the two undefeated fighters against one another to decide who was the true heavyweight champ.

Ali displaying uncommon speed and dexterity for a man of his size dominated most of his opponents and had often predicted the round in which he would knock them out. However, Ali struggled at times during his 15th round TKO of Oscar Bonavena, an unorthodox Argentinian fighter who was prepared by Hall of Fame trainer Gil Clancy

Frazier was known as a tenacious competitor who attacked the body of his opponent ferociously and had an outstanding left hook. Frazier had a serious bout of hypertension in the lead-up to the fight but appeared on top form as the fight between the two undefeated champions began.

The fight held a broad political meaning for many Americans as Ali had become a symbol of the left-wing anti-establishment movement during his government-imposed exile from the ring, while Frazier had been adopted by the conservative, pro-war movement. According to the 2009 documentary Thriller in Manila, the match, which had been dubbed "The Fight", "gripped the nation, but also split it down the middle.

Its said that the evening of the match there were scores of policeman seen to be trying to control outrageously dressed fans and celebrities among a huge crowd.

The fight went the full 15-round championship distance, exceeding its own promotional hype. While Ali dominated the first three rounds, Frazier connected with a horrifying hook to Ali's jaw, throwing his head back before ferociously attacking Ali's body.

The fight continued with both Ali and Frazier dealing each other unlimited blows and ending with the Judges coming to a unanimous decision officially naming Frazier as the The World Heavyweight Champion, dealing Ali his first professional loss.

The lot will be sold in our Antiques and Interiors sale on Wednesday 16th March 2016.

"When the Devil was sick the Saint would be 

When the Devil got well Devil a Saint was he"

An extremely rare and beautiful example of a Royal Doulton character jug / toby mug Mephistopheles - The Devil.  Designed by Charles Noke and Harry Fenton and hand-painted in England. It numbers D5757 and was issued between 1937-1948. This very rare and highly sought after jug was one of the very few produced during WWII, at a time when the production of decorated China for the UK market was prohibited due to wartime restrictions.

Mephistopheles was the very first two faced character jug produced and remained so for fifty years! The Jug depicts both a happy and miserable faced Mephistopheles. Mephistopheles mood altered depending on his ability to make a deal for a soul or not. 

Mephistopheles is a demon he was first mentioned in German folklore back in the 16th century, best known in the Johann Von Goethe's drama "Faust" (1808). He was portrayed as an evil spirit or devil, making deals with Faust who sells his soul in return. 

The Mephistopheles jug stands approximately 5.5-6 inches tall, and is in good condition. The bottom of the jug bears the inscription "When the devil was sick the Saint would be When the devil got well devil a Saint was he"

Mephistopheles is listed on page 214 of A Century of Royal Doulton Character & Toby Jugs, and in The Royal Doulton Jugs Charlton Standard Catalogue 10th edition on page 265. Listed book value of $2500. 

The jug will be held for sale in our 16th March 2016 Antique and Interiors sale.

Here at Boldon Auction Galleries we sell everything, from books to furnishings, everyday items to antiques, ornaments to... Well we could go on for hours but we know you understand! If you are downsizing, or simply want to move on unused items, please free to pop in to one of our FREE valuation days and we will do our best to help you sell them at auction. 

Below we have put together a selection of highlights from the last General Sale, showing the diversity of items we sell at Auction.

Welcome to the Spring!!

As the daffodils are blooming we are loving the new Spring sunshine!!

But what we love more is how blooming amazing 

our selection of lots are for the next upcoming General Sale.

The Sale will be held on Wednesday 2nd March 2016 at 10am - we start promptly guys and we get through around 150 lots per hour!! Don't be late! Come and grab a bargain!!

A selection of some of our new fantastic lots!

We really wanted to share this fantastic selection of the stained glass that is going for auction in our Antique and Interiors sale Wednesday 17th February 2016 - We love this beautiful lot donated by the people of Sunderland to Mother Superior Alyosis (The Sisters of Mercy)

The month of Love 

As we approach that wonderful time of year again, 

Boldon Auction Galleries are thrilled to introduce to our next 

Antique and Interiors Auction on 17th February 2016

A collection of paintings to be sold on behalf of The Bede Gallery Jarrow.

We had such a fantastic response to the first half of the collection we are 

anticipating the next part will be just as exciting 

Glass from the past

Included in the sale will be this fantastic Stained glass window.

A large twelve piece stained glass window by Franz Mayer at Mayer and Company Munich; and a selection of other glass windows. Estimated to sell between £800 - £1200

 The Stained glass windows was originally used in the St Bede’s Convent Chapel, 
it was donated to Mother Superior Aloysius of the Sister’s of Mercy 
(Superior for 36 years) by the people of Sunderland.

On the closure of the St Bede’s Convent the glass was brought to 
Oaklea Convent on the corner of Thornhill Terrace, 
this however coincided with WW2 so the glass was hidden 
in the cellar behind false walls for protection.

The glass remained hidden in the cellar and forgotten until 1992 
when the community were preparing for their 150 years celebration 
to be held in 1993, only then did an old sister remember their whereabouts.

Some of the windows were then mounted on the staircase of Oaklea convent 
and some of the smaller pieces used in the new 
Chapel of St Anthony’s Girls Catholic Academy.

We have in the sale the windows that have not been reused.

Steaming into February 

Lot number 4 to be sold in our General Sale on Wednesday 3rd February 

As we enter swiftly into February 2016, we are pleased to present our third sale of the year.

The General Sale has a wide variety of lots from ceramics to jewellery and watercolours to furniture, we are sure there is something for everyone.

The full sale can be viewed via our website at:

http://www.boldonauctions.co.uk/nextsale/

This eye catching water colour is one of the lots to be sold in our General Sale on Wednesday 3rd February 

We are delighted to announce that Boldon Auction Galleries are now holding all our future sales live on the internet broadcast over the-saleroom.com alongside the traditional room-based Sales.

We believe this provides a broader online audience hugely benefiting our clients by opening Boldon Auction Galleries doors to an ever expanding global market of Purchasers and Sellers with diverse interests and tastes. 

You can register to bid live at:

http://www.the-saleroom.com/en-gb/auction-catalogues/boldon-auction-galleries

Lot number 48 to be sold in our General Sale on Wednesday 3rd February

We want you to get involved!!!

Boldon Auction Galleries are actively involved on many social media platforms and would like to invite you to get involved.

Like our facebook page and follow us on twitter by clicking on the below links:

https://www.facebook.com/boldon.auctiongalleries

https://www.twitter.com/boldonauctions

Bringing music to our ears!!

Boldon Auction Galleries are in love with this fantastic lot

A lot to be sold in our General Sale Auction on Wednesday 3rd February

A Capo Di Monte, Vintage Reuge Musical movement box,

 Carousel Lipstick Holder with cherub on top and surrounding print. 

The box plays 'Raindrops are falling on our head' (instrumental).