Hong Kong collection fulfils Eastern promise

A SUBSTANTIAL single collection of oriental antiques comprising 28 lots achieved £1,500 when it went under the hammer at Moore Allen & Innocent’s first sale of the year at Cirencester on Friday, January 9.

Among the highlights from the collection, which all came from the Hong Kong residence of a collector of Eastern artefacts, was a woodblock print after Kunisada – the renowned 19th century Japanese artist – which, together with three other woodblock prints, achieved £130 against an estimate of £50 to £80.

The top price of the day was achieved by a 19th century French farmhouse kitchen table, which sold for £840 against an estimate of £500 to £800.

And furniture continued to dominate the top prices, with a modern three-seat, scroll arm settee and two matching armchairs achieving £480 against an estimate of £100 to £150, while an early 20th century haberdashers cabinet in light oak with ten glass-fronted compartments over six pigeonholes made £460 against an estimate of £300 to £500.

Among the more unusual items of furniture at the sale was a circa 1900 walnut plan chest, used by architects, surveyors and other professionals to keep maps, plans and blueprints in good condition.

Auctioneer Philip Allwood said: “You don’t see many antique plan chests on the market, and as many professionals still use A1 documents, this is an attractive piece of furniture to grace the office of a discerning professional.” The seven-drawer chest achieved £360 against an estimate of £80 to £120.

Auctioneers were encouraged by the high percentage of antiques that sold around or above estimate – a good omen, they hope, for 2009.

A 19th century French farmhouse kitchen table, which sold for £840	A circa 1900 walnut plan chest, which sold for £360