Historic church tiles did twice as well as expected

DECORATED tiles that have graced the floor of Cirencester parish church for a century and a half sold for up to £20 each at auction last week.

Nearly 1,000 floor tiles, which have been removed as part of a £2 million renovation scheme at the church of St John Baptist, were sold commission-free by Moore Allen & Innocent on Friday, July 25.

A single collection of around 900 plain terracotta tiles achieved £230. But it was the decorated tiles that really excited bidders. There were sixty each in four designs: a single lion, three lions, a chequered shield and a shield with six crosses.

Sold in lots of 10, each lot achieved between £150 and £200, with five buyers vying for a piece of Cirencester history. In total the sale raised £4,410 for the church restoration project.

The tiles were laid by architect George Gilbert Scott during the last major renovation of the church between 1865 and 1867. Limestone flagstones will replace the tiles ­– harking back to the pre-Victorian style of the church – while parishioners will enjoy the comfort of under-floor heating.

While the figures achieved by the tiles were a pleasant surprise, they were not as big a surprise as those caused by a Georgian butler’s tray or an unassuming cast iron grate.

With an estimate of £200 to £300, the butler’s tray ­– which once would have graced the home of a rich Georgian gentleman – was sold for £1,250. Meanwhile, a suspected Georgian cast iron grate, which had been estimated at £30 to £50 because of its poor condition – achieved £880.

Elsewhere, a small collection of publications recalling one of Swindon’s proudest footballing moments was snapped up by a local private buyer for £38, against an estimate of £30 to £50.

The collection included a programme from the semi final second leg against Burnley, the official Football League Cup programme, dated Saturday, March 15, 1969 and a souvenir booklet entitled Swindon’s Road to Wembley, which had been signed by nearly all the players.

The sale will be recalled on television later this year: a TV crew from the BBC’s Bargain Hunt programme, with eccentric presenter Tim Wonnacott, were filming during the auction.

For more information about buying and selling at auction look on this website or call 01285 646050.

TV presenter Tim Wonnacott with auctioneer Philip Allwood.

Tiles from Cirencester Parish Church.

Football souvenirs