THE MOTHER OF ALL SCREENS SOLD AT HANNAMS

Hannam’s Auctioneers, Selborne finished 2017 with their largest and best ever sale. Spread over three days, covering antiquities from all categories and all corners of the world, the 2,460 lot auction was attended by 3,560 approved registered bidders online, 75 telephone bidders, and a room full of customers.

The highlight of the sale without question was a locally consigned 19th century Austrian mother of pearl and painted glass four fold screen with each individual panel finely painted with Vienna and Austrian landscapes. Despite heavy competition from telephone bidders, the wonderful piece sold in the saleroom for £26,000. Another beautiful European antique that sold was a fine mid-19th century French Palais Royal mother of pearl music box etui in the form of a sewing casket containing numerous mother of pearl utensils, with the top layer being removed to reveal a music movement. This beautifully crafted item sold online to a European buyer for £6,500.

A fascinating item that sold on day two in the Oriental category was a rare set of twenty four 19th century Chinese framed watercolours depicting the one of China’s great classical novels ‘Story of the Red Chamber’. With each watercolour measuring 43cm across and 24cm in height, the set of twenty four was purchased via a telephone bidder for £8,000.

We at Hannam’s Auctioneers strongly recommend consigning any ivory antiquities for auction before the potential illegality of selling ivory and rhinoceros horn at auction from the impending government legislation is implemented in the new year.

Hannam’s invite the public to their saleroom in Selborne throughout the week and they also offer free valuations every Monday from 10am till 2pm. Their next Fine Art auction will be on 10th, 11th and 12th January, with viewing starting on Monday 8th January from 10am. For additional information please call the office on 01420 511788 or email sales@hannamsauctioneers.com.