Probably German or Austrian, the stands, naturalistically modelled as herons among bulrushes and water lilies, had suffered remarkably little damage over more than a century of use and went to the trade at £2100.
Another piece of in-demand majolica was a 19th century jug by Joseph Holdcroft in the form of a bear with a yellow and turquoise drum on its back, which sold at £410.
Best of the furniture was a large seven-drawer Victorian oak writing desk by James Shoolbred & Co. with tambour top enclosing a fitted interior on eight legs which made £1900. More surprising, given the weakness of the market for davenports was the £1750 achieved by a William IV rosewood sliding top example.
Wotton Auction Rooms, Wotton under Edge,
May 15-16.
Buyer’s premium: May 14
Majolica stands tall in Cotswolds
UK: CERAMICS took the top spots at this 1650-lot Cotswolds sale in the form of a pair of mid-19th century Continental majolica stick stands.
