High Fine Art Jewellery Prices 2001-2010
RICHARD PARKES BONINGTON AT AUCTION IN DEVON
SOLD FOR £62,000
RICHARD PARKES BONINGTON (1802-1828)
Watercolour - Rouen, from Bon Secours, 5" x 9"
A new house record was set in the summer of 2008 when Michael J Bowman offered this tiny watercolour in his Chudleigh auction. Eight telephone bidders were in action as well as several bidders who had travelled to Devon. A determined London bidder in the room forced the price up high above the £4,000-6,000 estimate, finally giving way to one of the telephone bidders - a specialist in Bonington's scarce works.
The North Devon vendor had hoped to raise at least £1,000 to paint the back of her home!
SOLD FOR £40,500
This certified 7.57 diamond solitaire, colour J, clarity VS1 set a new house record for jewellery when it was sold by Michael Bowman at Chudleigh in December 2008.
The buyers were a couple from Paignton who had surplus funds from the sale of their home which were earning very little interest in the bank!
SOLD FOR £31,000
ERNEST HOWARD SHEPARD (1879-1976)
This tiny black ink drawing, 4" x 6.5", depicting Rat, Mole & Toad from Wind in the Willows was offered for sale at Chudleigh in May 2012. It sold for a triple estimate price to a Canadian telephone bidder.
This was a late drawing by Shepard, being dated December '69 and came with an accompanying letter from the artist, offering it in gratitude to his neighbour, Mrs Shipley,in return for the gifts she gave him on the occasion of his 70th birthday.