Easter auction ‘marvellous’

Press, 14 April 1979, Page 6

Easter auction ‘marvellous’

‘‘A marvellous auction, one I of the best we have ever ] had,” said Mr R. G. Bell, the, 1 auctioneer for R. G. Bell and ■ < Company, after the second day of the company’s two-( day Easter auction on Thurs- ’ 1 day. , I Bidding was keen on both’: days of the sale, very few, lots being passed in. About 1 400 attended on Wednesday'; and Thursday. i; Some regular buyers were! unable to attend because of.' the airline pilots’ strike on J Wednesday, but on Thursday') people came from as far awayj; as Nelson and Invercargill. The top price of the first day was $2500, for a set of! six mahogany Chippendale dining chairs. A set of two; honey-eoloured mahogany' Chippendale chairs fetched : $550.

I The second day’s toppriced lot was a burr walnut jthree-tier whatnot, a drawer! |of which was 129 years old.! This was sold for $lOOO. ; A 63 cm-tall fully articu-1 lated doll with a bisque head| .fetched $2lO, while a small! 'silver tray sold for $7OO. ) In the jewellery section the I 'top price was $1750. paid forj a single-stone 18-carat gold) ■and platinum ring. A silver salver, 4ft long 'with a serpentine rim, sold ’for $lOOO. The silver section figured prominently on the (auction’s first day; 16 uniusual pieces were sold. An oak hallstand, together with cloak cupboard, telephone shelf, and stick stand, :made at Rochdale, England,' sold for $375. Mr Bell said that the prices were well up to standard on • the 523 lots.