What do Doctor Who, the Seven Dwarfs and Morph, the little plasticine man have in common? Apart from all being icons of the big and small screen they all had a part to play in the success of Clevedon Salerooms Autumn Fine Art sale on September 12th
He may only be small but Morph – the little plasticine man beloved of a generation of children - certainly had a towering presence in the day’s proceedings. The diminutive but instantly recognisable figure, which had been modelled by his creator Aardman co-founder Peter Lord and was offered with a handwritten note of authenticity, had been donated to St. Peter’s Hospice. Clevedon Salerooms have a well-established relationship with St. Peter’s and are always happy to help them raise money for their valuable work, selling donations without the usual seller’s costs. The appearance of the little chap, offering as it did the opportunity to own one’s very own Morph, generated significant press interest and led to a slew of commission bids but in the end it was an internet bidder who secured his own piece of TV history with the gavel falling at £1,100 – a record price for an original Morph. Of similar allure was an original animation cell from Disney’s 1937 classic ‘Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs’. This particular cell was especially rare in depicting all seven dwarfs and a flurry of bids saw it sell for £2,000.
There were seven dwarfs and there have been fifteen actors who have played the lead role in Doctor Who. It was signed autograph cards by the first three of those actors who featured in the sale, together with a collection signed by his various companions, it was this latter group in particular which got bidders particularly excited, and after a sustained battle, during which the estimate was well and truly exterminated, bidding finished at £3,000.
As is customary at Clevedon, the sale commenced with a fine selection of jewellery, where some of the highest prices were achieved, including the day’s top price. A late 19th century diamond floral and foliate unmarked yellow and white metal semi parure comprising hair piece, brooch and hair pins, sold for £11,000. Other impressive results included an early 20th century diamond 18ct yellow gold and platinum set halo ring, which sold for £6,000; whilst a sapphire and diamond white metal three-stone ring sold for £4,000, slightly ahead of an early 20th century diamond necklace, which sold for £3,600. Amongst watches, it was the familiar name Rolex which hit the high note. A gentleman's Yacht-Master stainless steel bracelet watch, sold for £3,800, whilst an Omega limited edition James Bond Quantum of Solace Seamaster co-axal chronometer bracelet watch sold for £2,200.
Top of the tree amongst Ceramics and Glass, a Gallé cameo glass pedestal vase, cut with flowering foliage. Measuring an impressive 34cm high, hopes were set equally highly and were not disappointed when it sold for £3,400.
There were strong performances in the Pictures section. Leading the pack, a collection of late Victorian paintings of prize-winning greyhounds. Heralding from a country house in the North-East, they recorded a time when greyhound coursing was a popular aristocratic pastime. The source of much pre-sale interest the four pictures raced away from their estimates, selling for a combined total of £7,300.
Amongst furniture a rare mid-17th century English marquetry-inlaid box-top chest took top price at £3,400. Also performing well, a 19th century Swedish wall mirror in the manner of Burchardt and Gustav Precht, which sold for £2,400 and an Arts & Crafts influence rectangular chest, with repousse dragon decoration, which confounded expectations to sell for £2,300.
Rounding off an excellent day, a reconstituted weathered garden statue of Bacchus, after the Antique, modelled standing against a tree stump and holding a bunch of grapes in his right hand, sold for £4,000.
Bacchus was the Roman god of wine and, with some 80% of lots sold and a total well above expectations, auctioneers toasted another resounding success for Clevedon salerooms. The next Interiors sale on October 5th promises almost 800 lots, and the October 24th Specialist sale is already looking very promising indeed.