Our most recent Eclectica IV auction concludes the year with a great number of star lots selling above and beyond their estimates.
We are delighted to share with you ten of our favourite lots from the sale. From fabulous novelty bronzes to gorgeous works in porcelain, our December sale stands out with fantastic works fetching great prices for our vendors.
We were very pleased to have sold a 19th century gold cased full hunter pocket watch for £6,018 against an estimate of £1,800-2,200 (Lot 338). While the recent price of gold has been soaring to reach all time highs, our sale shows that quality antique timepieces will always be valued beyond their intrinsic materials.
One of our favourite star lots from the sale was Lot 208, a late 19thC French or English cold painted hollow cast bronze. This unusual piece amusingly resembles a frog Napoleon or a frog French military officer. The bronze's desirability was clearly reflected by the market where it fetched a spectacular £1,593 against an estimate of £120-180. Vive La Frog!
The sale featured a great number of Austrian or Vienna cold painted bronzes in the auction from a large private collection. One of our star lots from the sale was an Austrian bronze and marble cigar rest (Lot 211). The bronze of the cigar rest is modelled in the fantastic form of a dragon painted in blood orange and sold for an impressive £708 against an estimate of £80-120.
The auction saw a number of paintings and prints that shows the impressive and historic and grand surroundings near where we are based in the Pantiles, Royal Tunbridge Wells. A particular sensation in the sale was a pen and watercolour on paper by Rowland Hilder (British, 1905-93), titled 'The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells' (Lot 179). Hilder has often been called the 'Turner of his generation' and is well-known for his views of Kent. The market clearly appreciated Hilder's skill with the work commanding a superb £2,006 against an estimate of £400-600. Similarly, a fabulous portrait of Catherine Clarke (1839-1907) by the circle of Richard Buckner (British, 1812-83) achieved a great result in the sale, selling for £1,652 (Lot 166).
Silver and jewellery performed well in the sale with a number of pieces by great makers, designers and retailers such as Aspery & Co, Archibald Knox, and Liberty & Co. A highlight in the auction was a pair of Carrington & Co cast sterling silver candelabra which fetched £2,006 (Lot 316). A particular highlight was a stunning Amy Sandheim of Notting Hill Gate Celtic sceptre brooch, c1930, sold for a superb £767 (Lot 120).
We sold a great number of ceramics from a large private collection in the sale. One of our favourite highlights was a Burmantofts Faience turquoise glazed grotesque spoon warmer, modelled in the form of a three legged 'jin chan' toad (Lot 22). The piece sold for an admirable £496 against an estimate of £80-120. Similarly, a 1930s Austrian Art Deco Goldscheider ceramic figure of a dancer designed by Stefan Dakon, sold for £944 against an estimate of £400-500 (Lot 2).
A particular favourite from the metalware sold in our auction was a Victorian Arts & Crafts Newlyn copper charger by John Pearson (British, 1859-1930), decorated with a Viking Longship in full sail (Lot 289). This fantastic piece sailed far beyond its estimate of £250-300, fetching £649 in the sale.
Our next auction Eclectica V will be held on 5th February 2026. Contact us by the early new year to consign lots for the sale.
From all of us at Mark Hill Auctions we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
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At Mark Hill Auctions we provide a complete and dedicated service in handling your items. From expert valuations to selling on market leading platforms reaching a worldwide audience, we provide multiple high quality images and a condition report as standard, alongside our professional in-house packing and shipping service.
Lots Featured above
- Lot 208, an unusual and amusing late 19thC French for the English market, or English for the French market, modelled as a frog French officer, sold for £1,593
- Lot 338, Mid-19thC Clerke, Royal Exchange, London 18ct gold cased full hunter pocket watch, sold for £6,018
- Lot 211, An Austrian cold painted bronze and marble cigar rest, c1900, modelled as a bronze dragon painted in blood orange, sold for £708
- Lot 179, Rowland Hilder (British, 1905-93), 'The Pantiles, Tunbridge Wells', pen and watercolour on paper, sold for £2,006
- Lot 120, an Amy Sandheim of Notting Hill Gate white metal Celtic sceptre brooch, c1930, sold for £767
- Lot 166, Circle of Richard Buckner (British, 1812-83), portrait of Catharine Clark (1839-1907), c1863, oil on canvas, sold for £1,652
- Lot 22, A Burmantofts Faience turquoise glazed grotesque spoon warmer, modelled in the form of a three legged 'jin chan' toad, sold for £496
- Lot 316, Pair of Carrington & Co cast sterling silver candelabra, two-branch candelabra with scrolled arms and piecrust rims, sold for £2,006
- Lot 2, A 1930s Austrian Goldscheider ceramic figure of a dancer designed by Stefan Dakon, sold for £944.
- Lot 289, John Pearson (British, 1859-1930), a Victorian Arts & Crafts Newlyn copper charger, c1898, decorated with a Viking Longship in full sail, sold for £649
