£40,000 CANTON ENAMEL BOX STAR LOT IN KEYS FINE SALE

An impressive Canton enamel box was the star lot in Keys Auctioneers three day Fine Sale in Norfolk, selling for £40,000, against a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500.

The 39cm diameter petal form box, with gilt metal scroll decoration encompassing panels of enamel with scrolling flowers on a turquoise ground, was bought by a Chinese collector after an intense bidding battle which saw the maiden bid of £400 multiplied by 100 before the hammer fell.

The box was one of 662 lots in the three day sale, Keys’ third and final Fine Sale of the year.

Other highlights included:

• An Aynsley coffee set comprising six cups and saucers, coffee pot, sugar bowl and milk jug, with each piece signed by L Bailey, which sold for £7,600 against a pre-sale estimate of £300-£500.  The set first came to Keys’ attention at a charity valuation day at a local church, and was bought by a Far Eastern private collector.
• A collection of royal ephemera relating to King Edward VIII, including a signed portrait print by Van Dyke in a silver mounted easel back frame; a silver topped walking stick with Royal cipher; Christmas card tags to Kenneth Crisp, signed by Edward; and a press cutting relating to Horace Crisp, valet to Edward VIII, sold for £1,600 (estimate £200-£300)
• A pair of mid 19th century natural Baltic amber candlesticks with Corinthian style capitals sold for £5,000 (estimate £4,000-£6,000)
• An oil painting by Colin Burns, ‘Winter Landscape With Pheasants’, sold for £2,900 (estimate £1,500-£2,000)
• A large Royal Worcester vase with reticulated cover and gilt handles, signed H Ayrton, sold for £1,050 (estimate £500-£700)

Full details of prices achieved at the sale can be found at https://bid.keysauctions.co.uk/past-auctions/srkey10598.