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Spring Review 2019

2019 Auction Dates Saturday 5th January January Sale

Saturday 18th May Centuries of Glass

Saturday 5th October Decades of Design

Saturday 2nd February February Sale

Saturday 8th June The June Sale

Saturday 26th October The October Sale

Saturday 2nd March March Sale

Saturday 6th July Mantiques

Saturday 16th November The November Sale

Saturday 30th March Decades of Design

Saturday 3rd August The August Sale

Saturday 27th April April Sale

Saturday 7th September The September Sale

Saturday 7th December The Christmas Silver and Jewellery Sale

Contact usâ€Ś Nick Davies

Alison Snowdon

Judith Woolgar

Director

Valuer and Auctioneer

Accounts Manager

Silver, Jewellery and Collectables

Ceramics and Textiles

judith@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

nick@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

alison@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Will Farmer

William Lacey

Administrative Assistant

Director

Picture Consultant

ellie@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Ceramics, Glass and Decorative Arts

bill@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

will@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Ellie Bertram

June Emery

Kayleigh Davies

Mark Hannam

Receptionist

Valuer and Auctioneer

Senior Valuer and Auctioneer

june@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Toys and General

Collectables and Furniture

kayleigh@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

mark@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Rachel Houston-Holland

Lee Coldrick Head Porter and Saleroom Assistant

Andrew Mayall

Valuer and Auctioneer

Jay Tristram

Valuer and Auctioneer

Asian Art

Photographer and Porter

Collectables and Furniture

rachel@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

andrew@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Auction previews Thursday prior to each sale 10am-4pm Friday prior 10am-7pm Morning of each sale 8am-9.30am Auction times Auctions commence at 9.30am unless otherwise stated

Auction location All auctions are held at our premises at Mill Race Lane, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1JN Auction contacts info@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk 01384 444140 fieldings.co.uk

Will Farmer

Nick Davies

Director

Nick and Will founded Fieldings Auctioneers in 2001, having both previously worked in the auction industry. Over the last 18 years the company has gone from strength to strength, and has progressed in to a well established auction house, with an impeccable reputation and desire to make the auction world accessible to all. We like to think we are the future of Auctioneering.

‘‘ Our clients come first,

and we like to give the highest level of customer service and be as transparent as possible. We are passionate about what we do and want our customers to enjoy their experience at Fieldings

’’

Introducing… Mark Hannam - Senior Auctioneer and Valuer We talk with Mark Hannam, long standing member of the Auctioneering and valuing team at Fieldings Auctioneers

How long have you been with Fieldings? I have been with Fieldings for 9 years, before that I was with Philips and Bonhams auctioneers in Knowle, for over 26 years (I know I don’t look old enough…).

Mark, tell us about your specialism Anything mechanical really, music boxes, singing birds, clocks, etc. I also I have a passion for coins. I look after the collectables and miscellaneous, which covers all the oddities and all the diverse aspects of our business.

What is the best part of your job? The thrill of the find, the high prices achieved, auctioneering, winning the new business against competitors, I love the history and the research of the job, I also love meeting the general public and talking through their objects with them.

So, when you are not in work, what do you like to do? My hobbies, you will normally find me at the weekend, metal detector in hand roaming the countryside of Warwickshire, Shropshire and Worcestershire.

Fascinating, tell me about your most interesting finds My most interesting found was an extensive collection of Roman brooches, they were discovered near the village of Pattingham in Shropshire, mostly dating between 50AD-150AD. I have also found Roman bronze coins, Roman silver Denarius and Medieval gold coins and pottery.

June Emery – Receptionist/Adminstrative Assistant June will be the first person you meet when you walk through our doors and she couldn’t make you feel more welcome

How long have you worked for Fieldings? I have worked as a receptionist here for about 4 years, however before that I helped out in the saleroom doing a little bit of portering for a couple of years

So where were you before working for Fieldings Auctioneers? All over the place! I did my degree in Cheshire and then went on to be a Business Studies teacher locally for around 10 years. After that I was a mum for few years and then went back in to education. So moving to Fieldings was a massive change for me, however I love it!

Are you West Midlands born and bred? Yeah I was born in Wolverhampton and grew up in Kinver. I have lived in Dorset and Cheshire as well. A teaching job brought me back home a few years ago.

When you are not at work what do you like to do? Well I live by the river, so I love nothing more than walking the dog ending up in the local pub in front of the fire. I also have two teenage kids and they certainly keep me busy.

What is the best part of your job? The people!!! My collegues are great, it sounds clichéd but it really is true, we are a little family here. Also, the variety – what job would you get when someone would ask you have you seen the 5ft stuffed pike !!! Our staff nights out aren’t to bad either.

Whatâ€™s new? Fieldings introduce new departments

Asian Art At Fieldings Auctioneers we pride ourselves in now being the only auctioneers in the West Midlands to have a dedicated Asian Art department. We have recently appointed Rachel Houston-Holland as Asian Art specialist to head up the department. She is happy to advise you on the value and sale of your Japanese and Chinese porcelain and works of art. For an informal valuation please contact Rachel at rachel@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Wines, Whisky & Spirits Fieldings are excited to announce that they will be working with independent wine merchants and consultants, Morgan Edwards Fine Wines & Spirits. From a single bottle to an entire cellar, we can help guide you through the process of selling or buying fine wines, spirits or whiskies at auction. For more information or for a free valuation contact info@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Designer Handbags, Luxury Goods & Vintage Clothing You will be pleased to hear that Fieldings will be adding handbags, luxury goods and accessories to the regular sale schedule. They will be including both vintage and contemporary handbags from fashion houses including HermĂ¨s, Gucci, Chanel, and many more classic designers. For more information or for a free valuation contact info@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Classic Cars, Motorcycles & Automobilia There has been an exceptional growth in the desire for classic cars in recent years. Auction is fast becoming the desired location to buy and sell classic cars, due to the quick-paced nature of the sell and return on the money. At Fieldings we can provide a full valuation report on cars and classic motorcycles, cherished plates and automobilia for either auction, probate or insurance purposes. Our team of specialist consultants are on hand to guide you through the process, and help you drive home in that car you have always dreamt of. To register your interest please visit www.fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Whatâ€™s new? Fieldings Auctioneers move in to property Donâ€™t just sell the contents, sell the property as well Fieldings Auctioneers have recently partnered with established property experts based in Worcestershire. Their objective is to establish a local independent property auction venue in conjunction with local businesses, accessible to local people of West Midlands. Our partner agent will initially intend to focus on the local market as they look to establish relationships with local and independent estate agents within a radius of approximately 10 miles of the Stourbridge area. This new department will be overseen by a local industry expert with over 20 years in the business. For more information please contact our property experts at 01384 444140 or property@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

We are having a re-vamp Fieldings are currently undergoing a full reconstruction of our website, this will include brand new features which will make your bidding experience smoother and clients will have the ability to create their own accounts, where they can collect favourite lots and make payments. This website will also be phone and tablet compatible therefore making it easier for our clients to view and buy their favourite items. Watch this space!

We are getting out and about

Valuation days

Many of our valuers you will recognise from television programmes such as Antiques Roadshow and Flog it! This Spring and Summer the Fieldings team will be travelling locally and nationally to offer advice on your antiques, all in aid of local charities. If you would like to host us for your own charity valuation day, please contact Rachel at rachel@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

2nd April

Ludlow Castle

25th April

Ruskin Glass Centre

11th May

Severn Valley Railway (Kidderminster)

23rd May

Bantock House Museum

30th May

Castle Bromwich Hall Garden

Fieldings do their part Here at Fieldings we truly believe that we need to do our part to help with the preservation of the environment, hence our way of helping with the plastic pollution crisis, was to stop the use of plastic carrier bags at the end of 2018. In 2019 we intend to take it one step further and concentrate on the reduction of our paper consumption and stop the production of our auction catalogues. This will be the end of an era for our regular buyers, however we feel it is a necessary step forward and will aid all our buyers in making this change.

Decorative Arts Will Farmer, Director and Decorative Arts specialist, explains the recent 20th Century Boom! In tough financial times it’s interesting to know that market for modern design is more than holding up in comparison to the worlds financial woes! While markets fall and banks offer little in return for years of hard saving there has been a steady and strong return to tangible assets! Many of our investors have been pulling money out of the bank and returning to the security of a painting on the wall or vase in the cabinet. This has resulted in a number of markets riding the money roller coaster from the front seat with full confidence in their long term potential. On the flip side if you own one of these golden items now could be the time to sell while there’s an audience of keen buyers looking to put their money elsewhere. One clear rule determining the level of spend however is an attributable designer. Over recent years it’s become clear that items of a more general nature have been swept aside over the reassurances of a well-known maker or company. From Lalique to Lenci, Ruskin to Rie or Clarice to Carlton Ware buyers want to know that their statement investment has the assurances of a well-recorded and highly respected creator. So of the many great names from 20th Century design who’s particularly hot at the moment? If I had to pick a short list it would have to be this group of design giants who’s work shows little sign of slowing down! Clarice Cliff - One of the most instantly recognisable ceramic designers of the 20th century. Love her or hate her one thing that Clarice Cliff is still able to do after all these years is provoke a reaction. Her brightly coloured pottery epitomises a brief period of 20th century domestic culture with its brash colour palette and strong pattern decorating equally bold forms. Over the last 15 years we have become the leading saleroom in the world for her work with clients from Washington DC to New South Wales! The joy of Clarice is the ability to start a collection for as little as £10 while at the other end of the spectrum you can spend tens of thousands, as seen when we sold this rare May Ave charger for over £24,000 Pierro Fornasetti - Fornasetti was a visionary, a designer who transferred his fervent and formidable imagination to everyday objects. To call him a designer is by no small measure underplaying his achievements. He was an artist, illustrator, graphic designer, craftsman and of course a businessman. The greater majority of his work however is decoration applied to objects designed by others, be it the interior of an apartment or the surface of a desk. In recent years his work has rocketed in value becoming a must have collectable form many, at the top of the most desired list are his pieces of furniture which can now fetch many thousands of pounds like this screen recently sold by Fieldings however you can start a collection for as little as £100 with one of his gorgeous plates from the Themes & Variations range. Alessandro Pianon - When people talk about Italian art glass, they are usually referring to the vases goblets, and decorative objects produced in the city of Venice and the adjacent island of Murano. Indeed, Murano is the heart of Italian glassmaking, the place where, in the late 13th century, glassmakers were banished to avoid their furnaces setting fire to the glorious city. Even though the middle of the 19th century was a time of much innovation for Venetian and Murano artisans, the periods of interest to most collectors of antique and vintage Italian art glass are the years between the two world wars and the post-war decades of the 1950s and 1960s. Of the countless factories and designers I could offer up here one for me stands out from the crowd, Alessandro Pianon. Originally an architect by training he became involved with the firm of Vistosi having been invited to redesign their company logo! From this original commission was born one of the most iconic collections in the 20th Century glass, the Vistosi birds! This group of five comic characters are now some of the most sought after Italian glass creations from the 20th Century and Fieldings Auctioneers have been fortunate enough to handle more for sale than any other auction room in the UK! With prices ranging from £2000 to £4000 per bird these have done nothing but climb in price over the last 20 years far outstripping inflation!

Jewellery Nick Davies, Director and Jewellery Specialist talks all things jewellery Marilyn Monroe hit the nail on the head with the words ‘Diamonds are a girl’s best friend’ however experience has led me to realise that most people are happy to include rubies, sapphires, emeralds… the list goes on! The gift of an antique or vintage piece of jewellery is the opportunity to give something with history as well as romance and the enduring quality of an antique piece only adds to the beauty of the item itself.

Centuries of style… Every era has its own language and style that can be identified quite quickly. With a little homework you can soon familiarise yourself with each period’s shape, style and form. Georgian – Pieces of this period were highly influenced by the Classical revival during Napoleon’s First Empire; the delicate dresses and low necklines of the day were complemented by chandelier earrings, Riviera necklaces and feminine floral spray brooches. Victorian – Jewels of the later 19th century are encrypted with hidden sentimental messages of love and romance with motifs like hearts, bows and flowers. The language of stones became hugely popular, an example being – Diamond, Emerald, Amethyst, Ruby, Emerald, Sapphire, Topaz, each first letter being used to spell the word DEAREST. Art Nouveau – Jewellery is characterized by natural motifs like flowers, butterflies and dragonflies often created from translucent gemstones like moonstones and opals teamed with subtle enamels.

If you wish to discuss buying or selling Jewellery please do not hesitate to contact Nick at nick@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk or 01384444140

Edwardian – At the start of the 20th Century the trend moved towards white gold and platinum often studded with diamonds and pearls to create delicate pendants, floral garlands or striking crescents. Art Deco – Pieces of this period are instantly recognizable with their streamlined or geometric forms. Show and sophistication were key with large bright diamonds highlighted with rubies or emeralds, think style, glamour and of course Hollywood! Post War – From the Forties through to the early Sixties, floral forms became the key accent in ladies jewellery with large sprays of stone set flowers. Rings also developed on from the Art Deco style with large dressy cocktail rings in bright gold with dramatic settings of mixed stones.

Asian Art We talk to Fieldingsâ€™ newest member of the team, Asian Art specialist Rachel Houston-Holland Rachel has recently joined Fieldings Auctioneers as Asian Art specialist and comes with over 15 years experience in the industry. This makes Fieldings the only Auctioneers in the West Midlands with a dedicated specialist Asian Art department. The auction market for Asian Art is forever fluctuating and changing due to the economic changes in the Asian financial market. Over the past few years there has been increasing demand for fine pieces of Chinese porcelain, dating to the Ming and Qing Dynasties. The words Asian Art encompass a wide variety of different sectors, with each one enjoying their time in the spotlight. Those sectors include porcelain, metalwares, lacquers, furniture, glass, paintings, ivories and textiles. In 2019 we expect the government to introduce legislation that will ban the sale of ivory from any date through auction. At Fieldings we are actively responding to this and are only happy to consign exceptional examples of worked ivory pieces which have full provenance. So if you have always wondered about that vase that has sat in the corner of the room, please contact Rachel for further advice, on 01384 444140 or rachel@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Ceramics Alison Snowdon talks us through Pots Hot in the world of ceramics 2018 proved an exciting year in the ceramics department with some incredible results for pieces fresh to the market. Highlights for me include the fabulous 1930s Shelley teaset that sold for an incredible £1650. The beauty of this set was that not only had it had hardly been used but that it also retained the coffee pot! In May, we sold the remainder of a collection of 18th and 19th Century ceramics that included two rare Worcester Limoges enamel chalice cups and covers. Perhaps considered ‘traditional’ antiques, their rarity attracted worldwide interest from both collectors and museums, which led to the hammer falling at £3400 and £3600 – both record prices for such pieces. In October, we were delighted to offer a piece of contemporary studio pottery by the internationally renowned and collected Dame Lucie Rie. Selling for £10,800, this was a piece that some twenty years previously had been purchased for considerably less. Whether you are a seasoned collector, looking for a statement piece for your home or thinking of starting a new collection, the world of ceramics has never been more accessible. Our increased presence online, our reputation, a good photograph and an honest description really does make the world of difference. Whether you’re after an 18th Century teabowl and saucer for your morning brew or a 1930s Moorcroft vase for your daffodils, we really do have it all and with prices from £30 to £39,000 there really is something for everyone!

Textiles Alison Snowdon discusses her rare finds from 2018 One of my most favourite finds from 2018 was lot 638 in our 19th May sale – an original, early 20th Century Votes for Women sash. Made from white woven cotton with printed purple and green stripes to the edge (green for hope, white for purity and purple for loyalty and dignity), it was the boldly printed statement of Votes for Women that gave it such power. It is widely believed sashes, such as this one, were first publicly seen at the WSPU (Women’s Social and Political Union) march held at Hyde Park on 21st June 1908. One hundred years after women were given the vote, it was such an honour to handle such an important piece of feminist history. I only wish I could have found out more about the lady who would have originally worn it!

Furniture Furniture Specialist Andrew Mayall asks you to take a seat… A diverse range of seating has come up for auction sale at Fieldings Auctioneers over the last few months. Our Decades of Design sales incorporate pieces produced throughout the various design genres of the last century from Arts and Crafts and Art Deco through to post war and contemporary design. Mid Century Scandinavian design, with its clean lines and practical use is currently enjoying an increase in popularity. An example is this compact Danish teak dining table and chairs designed by Hans Olsen for Frem Rojle which achieved a hammer price of £320 in the last Decades of Design sale. Here is one of two Prince of Wales Investiture chairs that are coming up for auction sale in our Spring Decades of Design sale . Designed by Lord Snowdon for Remploy for the investiture of Prince Charles in 1969, they carry an estimate of £150 to £250 each. Our regular monthly auction sales generally incorporate more traditional antique furniture, mainly from the late 17th through to the early 20th Century. These sales also produce unusual pieces, such as this 19th Century prie dieu or prayer chair, that sold for £120 hammer price in our February sale. 19th and early 20th Century leather armchairs, particularly with a “lived in” look are very much on trend at the moment, with a tub-shaped captain’s armchair sold in the same sale for £300. Andrew Mayall can advise you about Georgian to Mid 20th Century furniture, so please contact him on 01384 444140 or andrew@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Pictures Picture Consultant Bill Lacey talks us through modern and contemporary artworks With a broad remit to ‘sell pictures successfully’ Fielding’s has been entrusted to research and market a wide range of paintings and prints dating from the 16th century right up to the present day! Recent successes have included the studio sale of the late painter and printmaker Richard Beer (1928-2017). Beer, who taught printmaking at Chelsea Art School, was widely travelled and is perhaps best remembered for his Italian landscapes and architectural studies. The entire contents of the artist’s London studio, including some 500 canvases, his easel, furniture and objet d’art which the artist had collected over many years, was transported to our saleroom in Stourbridge and offered in two auctions. Presale promotion ensured considerable interest and bids were received from all over the country, many coming from friends of the artist who wanted something to remember him by. There is no doubt that the demand for anything Victorian, be it furniture or paintings, has dropped over recent years as fashion has changed. Despite a fickle market, a good quality 19th century painting by a recognised hand will still find buyers. Fielding’s sold a typical Scottish loch landscape by Alfred Breanski, senior (1852-1929) which had lain undisturbed in the vendor’s loft for thirty years for a respectable £4,900 recently. In contrast a hand signed limited edition print, one of an edition of 650, after L.S.Lowry sold for £5,000 in our September sale, clearly illustrating the strength of the 20th century market.

Toys Kayleigh Davies discusses what is running like clockwork Fieldings have achieved great prices on toys in 2018, including the Norman Purdy collection of O gauge model railway and tinplate boats. However, toys don’t always have to be older to have any value, and the combination of nostalgia and increasing disposable income for children of the 1970s has led to price increases of action figures and TV related toys of that era in recent years. Star Wars toys are booming, and the original action figures, vehicles and playsets are highly collectable. Of particular interest are the last figures to be produced while the toy line waned in popularity; while they were to be found in the bargain bins in 1985 you could now expect some of these less common figures to fetch in excess of £100 in a playworn condition. Smaller items like weapons and accessories, which often fell victim to the vacuum cleaner, are very desirable to collectors and can bring unexpectedly high prices. Original boxes can double the value of this type of toy, and if they’re still sealed it’s even better. Get the old toys down from the attic and email us some photographs or bring them along to a valuation day – you may just have the droids we are looking for! If you have some Star Wars figures or would like your antique and vintage toys valuing, please contact Kayleigh on 01384 444140 or kayleigh@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

Mantiques Mark Hannam talks to us about ‘Mantiques’ This year Fieldings will be holding our ninth ‘Mantiques’ specialist collectors sale. This fully established auction now has a large following of local and world wide buyers. Past sales have seen us auction such diverse collections as cameras, musical boxes, fire brigade memorabilia, militaria, sporting collectables, trains, tinplate and diecast toys. It is the perfect sale to start a new collection, add to an ever growing one, or find a gift for a discerning collector. One of the fastest growing areas in this market is coin collecting, an area in which Fieldings are specialists, primarily due to the many treasure hoards found over recent years which have created an upsurge in interest from new and existing buyers alike. Many of the items sourced for these sales have come from private collections and are fresh to the market, often hidden away in dusty attics, spare rooms or lovingly cared for by their previous owner. The internet is an excellent way to market collections and, with all of the lots carefully photographed and described in full detail, we attract hundreds of online buyers and fierce competitive bidding. This year’s Mantiques sale will be held on Saturday the 6th of July with entries closing four weeks before. For more information please contact Mark Hannam on 01384 444140 or mark@fieldingsauctioneers.co.uk

A collection of forty six letters by Reggie Kray all on H.M Prison Parkhurst headed paper, date 1970. Sold £2,800 hammer

ALFRED DE BREANSKI, SENIOR (1852-1928) – ‘Luss - Loch Lomond’. Sold £4,900 hammer

An 18ct diamond solitaire ring, brilliant cut four claw set stone weight 2.52ct, colour J/K, clarity SI1, all to knife edged shoulders, ring size M. Sold £8,500 hammer

Three handwritten letters from Ronnie Kray to Cheryl Hukin each on H.M Prison Parkhurst 1970, together with signed paintings and greetings cards. Sold £3,400 hammer

Lucie Rie – A 1980s footed bowl. Sold £10,800 hammer

A mid 20th Century platinum Jaeger LeCoultre lady’s diamond cocktail watch. Sold £13,000 hammer

Winter 2018 / Spring 2019 Highlights Conrad Dresser (19th Century) – A bronze bust of a bearded gentleman. Sold £3,700 hammer

A Chinese Ming dynasty (1368-1644) gilt bronze figure of Buddha. Sold £4,600 hammer

LAURENCE STEPHEN LOWRY, RBA, RA (1887-1976) – ‘The Fever Van’, photographic reproduction. Sold £4,100 hammer

D.H Chiparus – Egyptian Dancer. Sold £7,000 hammer

A mid 19th Century carved walnut library table of large proportions. Sold £6,200 hammer

A late 19th Century Thomas Webb & Sons cameo glass vase by the Thomas & George Woodall workshop. Sold £5,000 hammer