October 2011 Results
Fine Art Auctioneers in Devon sell wooden carving of goose wing for £18,200
GOOSE WING CARVING MAKES £18,200
One of the most surprising results in Michael Bowman's 25 years of auctions in Devon came with the final lot of the October 8th auction 2011.
An exquisitely carved study in wood of the wing of a goose, on a thin wooden backing board measured 28" x 16" overall. It came from a Teignbridge family whose grandfather was the artist Ivor Symes. Symes was reputedly given this by Sir Hubert von Herkomer at the Bushey School of Art as a reward for being a star pupil. The family have always believed the wing to have been carved by Herkomer, but it remains a possibility that it might actually have been by an earlier hand.
Against a speculative estimate of £400-600, three telephone bidders were attracted as a result of national advertising. A commission bid of £700 was received from the USA. Bidding started in the room at £100 and the family were in attendance to see two London telephone bidders battle over several minutes until the final price of £18,200 was reached.
NATURAL PEARLS SELL FOR £4,800
The popularity of natural (wild) pearls with accompanying laboratory report to verify origins was confirmed when five telephone bidders fought over this graduated pearl necklace with diamond clasp. The largest pearl measured 6.5mm diameter. The result was three times estimate to a collector in Buckinghamshire with London trade underbidders.
SS LADY CHARRINGTON £3,300
This 47" long shipbuilders model depicts the collier launched in Sunderland in 1952 by Lady Charrington bearing her name. Surviving members of the Charrington family attended the auction in the hope of purchasing, but in the event a Dorset bidder prevailed.