Christmas is coming, at Moore Allen

IT”S July, so thoughts at the antiques salerooms of Moore, Allen & Innocent in Cirencester are naturally turning to Christmas.

This Father Christmas pipe dates from Victorian times, before Coca Cola turned the festive figure into a jolly old man with a red coat and white beard. He has a distinctively pagan look about him, and wears a crown of holly and ivy.

The pipe features the salutations ‘Merry Christmas’ on one side of the stem and ‘Happy New Year’ on the other.

Auctioneer Philip Allwood said: “It’s unusual to find a clay pipe of this size modelled figuratively like this.”

The pipe is expected to achieve between £30 and £50.

Always a popular gift at Christmas is a bottle of port, or six. What makes these bottles of 1963 Sandeman Vintage unusual is that they were manufactured during a year when there was a massive shortage of port.

“Cold and wet weather meant the grape harvest was very late in 1963,” explained Philip. “The grapes did not start to colour until mid-July, the latest for decades. That said, those grapes that did ripen were of excellent quality and 1963 is considered one of the 14 ‘outstanding’ vintages of the 20th century.

“These bottles have never had paper labels on them and have been properly stored. After 45 years the vintage is now at its best, and experts consider this is the time at which bottles of 1963 port are best consumed.”

There are six bottles in a case, which is expected to achieve £300 to £400.

Finally, a collection of military memorabilia includes a fine dress uniform from an officer of the 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars, dating from the mid 20th century.

The lot includes an officers mess kit, dress hat, belt and beret, which is expected to achieve between £150 and £200. The dress sword is being sold as a separate lot, and alongside several other ceremonial swords, bayonets and a small collection of hats and helmets. The sword is expected to achieve between £60 and £80.

“The 8th King’s Royal Irish Hussars has a long and proud history, not least for its part in the Charge of the Light Brigade. This should be a very popular lot,” said Philip.

The next general sale of antiques takes place at the Norcote salerooms, Cirencester on Friday, July 27 from 10am.