On Wednesday 10 and Thursday 11 September, Dreweatts held its autumn edition of its Fine Furniture, Sculpture, Carpets, Ceramics, and Works of Art auction. From the rare and academic to the highly decorative, the breadth and depth of the sale - spanning works from the ancient world to the present day - attracted an engaged and competitive international audience. The auction achieved a fantastic result, totalling £2.35 million, representing 155% of the pre-sale estimates.
Commenting on the results, Ben Brown, Head of Dreweatts Furniture department, said, "We were very pleased with how well the sale was received and the results achieved, with strong interest throughout the five days of viewing. Our aim is always to present pieces of the highest possible standard alongside works with strong visual appeal. It was gratifying to see that this approach was appreciated, with many of the final prices reflecting that."
The top highlight was a spectacular work by British sculptor George Frampton, playfully depicting J.M. Barrie’s beloved character, Peter Pan. This example, cast after 1987 in a limited edition of just eight by the Morris Singer Foundry for the Fine Art Society, drew significant international interest and sold well above its estimate for £441,200, demonstrating the enduring appeal of this iconic work.
Other highlights included an impressive Soho tapestry attributed to Joshua Morris, which achieved £59,420; a large mythological bronze group of Theseus and the Centaur Biénor locked in combat by Antoine-Louis Barye, cast by Barbedienne, which sold for £27,920; and a Victorian Gothic Revival breakfront bookcase cabinet, which realised £20,320.
Here, we take a look at some of these exceptional pieces and other highlights.
Thinking of selling? For a free auction valuation, please contact our specialists on: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | furniture@dreweatts.com. Alternatively, you can also complete our online valuation form, here.
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