PICTURES, CERAMICS AND FURNITURE HIGHLIGHTS OF KEYS’ FIRST FINE SALE OF 2018

Over 1,300 lots went under the hammer in Keys Fine Art Auctioneers’ first Fine Sale of 2018, with strong hammer prices being achieved right across the three day sale.

Pictures, ceramics and furniture were particularly strong sellers, with many prices far exceeding pre-sale estimates.

Highlights included:

• A still life by Dora Carrington, ‘Rouen Ware circa 1925’, oil, ink and silver foil on glass, which sold for £13,200 (estimate £4,000-£6,000)
• A pen, ink and watercolour by nonsense poet Edward Lear, ‘Venice’, which sold for £7,200 (estimate £1,000-£1,500)
• A pencil drawing by L.S.Lowry, ‘Tanker at Greenwich’, which sold for £14,500 (estimate £15,000-£20,000)
• A very rare Lowestoft porcelain mug decorated by the Tulip painter circa 1775, which sold for £4,500 (estimate £2,000-£3,000)
• A Pearlware silver shape teapot, attributed to Absolon, circa 1790, which sold for£2,600 (estimate £1,000-£1,500)
• A 19^th century mahogany armchair with upholstered back and seat, which sold for £2,700 (estimate £250-£300)
• An Arts and Crafts oval copper framed wall mirror, early 20^th century, which sold for 520 (estimate £250-£350)
• An early 19^th century French walnut ‘swan neck’ chaise, which sold for £780 (estimate £300-£500)

Keys director and head of fine art Kevin Lines commented, “Our first Fine Sale of the year saw considerable interest right across the board, with particularly strong bidding in pictures, ceramics and, encouragingly, furniture. 

“We have seen strong bidding in all of our sales so far in 2018, and the prices achieved at the Fine Sale give us grounds to be optimistic that the year will see continued growth, especially at the quality end of things.”