International bidders look to Cotswold sale

 

THE INTERNATIONAL phone lines at Cotswold auctioneer Moore Allen & Innocent will be buzzing this week, as antiques collectors and dealers from Russia and America pit themselves against bidders from the UK.

 

Catching the Russians’ eyes are late 19th century porcelain figures from the Russian Gardner Factory in Moscow.

 

The figure group features three bearded peasants, the central figure playing an accordion, and carries an estimate of £600 to £900. Two separate figures, being sold as one lot, feature a blind man and an old woman carrying a basket. The estimate is £300 to £500.

 

Meanwhile, the American market is getting excited about a terracotta figure of three black boys sitting on a wall. The early 20th century Haniroff for Goldscheider terracotta figures stand at over 57cms (22 ins) tall and the piece carries an estimate of £800 to £1,200.

 

Continuing the international flavour of the sale, a portrait bust of a bearded monk, The Capuchin, in Sienna marble, after 18th century German sculptor Franz Xaver Messerschmidt, stands at 62 cm (24 ins) tall and carries an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500.

 

Finally, among the more unusual items is an early 19th century double barrel overcoat pistol. Carried by gentlemen for personal protection, this is a particularly fine example, with hexagonal barrels featuring a lotus leaf design and a hammer stylised in a dolphin form. The butt is of finely chequered walnut. The pistol is expected to achieve between £300 and £500.

 

The sale will be held at the Norcote salerooms, Cirencester from 10am on Friday, March 6. For more information log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk or call 01285 646050 for a catalogue.


pistol A blind man and an old woman

An early 19th century double barrel overcoat pistol (est £300 to £500)

 

 A blind man and an old woman carrying a basket (est £300 to £500) from the Russian Gardner Factory in Moscow
three black boys Three bearded peasants
A Haniroff for Goldscheider terracotta figure of three black boys sitting on a wall
(est £800 to £1,200) 		Three bearded peasants (est £600 to £900) from the Russian Gardner Factory in Moscow
The Capuchin
The Capuchin after Franz Xaver Messerschmidt (est £1,000 to £1,500)