Auction Results: January 2023
Michael Bowman's opening sale of the year held at Chudleigh Town Hall on Saturday January 28th, proved to be a typically buoyant January event. Attendance at the auction returned to pre-Covid levels, offering strong resistance to the numerous internet bidders and contributing to many punchy prices and low levels of unsold items.
A small collection of coins featured an early 19th century George IV half crown that sold to an American internet bidder for £490. A Charles I silver seal top spoon made £1,000, a William & Mary example reaching £920, but this section was led by an elegant 19" Georg Jensen oval silver tray in the 'Blossom' pattern, selling at an above estimate £3,900 to a bidder in the room.
Top price of the day came with the watches, when a 1980/81 Rolex GMT-Master sold to a Hampshire internet bidder for £6,500. An unusual WWII military issue Eterna wrist watch known as the 'Dirty Dozen', doubled its estimate to another Hampshire internet bidder at £2,200.
Highlight of the jewellery was the late Victorian three stone diamond ring of total diamond weight 2.5 carats, which also doubled its estimate in selling to a Hatton Garden mailing list client for £6,000, despite stiff opposition in the room. The same buyers also having to compete strongly to secure a pair of Art Deco diamond tassel earrings for £5,600.
Michael Bowman is now accepting suitable entries for his next auction on March 25th and is available by appointment for free appraisals on Monday afternoons at either Chudleigh or Kingsteignton. Tel 01626 324071 www.michaeljbowman.co.uk