08/11/2025 General News
Keys’ Fine Sales, which take place three times a year, are when the finest top-quality pieces go under the hammer, and they attract bidders not just from throughout the UK, but from all over the world, writes Tim Blyth. These are days when the antiques and fine art world turns its gaze away from the large London houses and come to realise that top regional auction houses can be worthy rivals.
The final Fine Sale of the year takes place this month, on Wednesday 19th and Thursday 20th November, with over 500 lots going under the hammer in a series of sections. There are too many great quality lots to list here, and I do urge you to go online and see for yourselves in more detail, but I wanted to give you a taste of what is on offer over the two days.
It is invidious to pick out one lot from so many, but a personal favourite is a marble statue of Hercules and a lion, which was brought back from Italy in the early 20th century. Standing on an impressive pedestal, it has a pre-sale estimate of £8,000-£12,000.
Day one of the Sale starts with the glass section, which this time features many pieces by top makers including Galle and Lalique. A particularly interesting piece is a double overlay cameo glass vase by French manufacturer Daum of Nancy, founded in 1878 by Jean Daum and still going strong. The vase is double walled and decorated with trumpet shaped flowers and leaves in tones of purple, blue and brown.
Next comes the ceramics section, which is always a highlight of our Fine Sales. Well over 100 lots in this section includes a remarkable single-owner collection of the ever-popular Moorcroft, including many pieces from the early 20th century as well as more modern items. All of the big European names are here including Meissen (a rare early ecuelle and cover dating from 1735 is a particular highlight), Royal Worcester, Bow and Crown Derby.
Key’s Fine Sales have become something of a mecca for lovers of Lowestoft porcelain, and this one is sure to keep collectors buzzing. Included is a rare documentary polychrome cream ware teapot inscribed to Thomas Trip Cooper, a leading 18th century Wesleyan who was a friend of John Wesley himself, and instrumental in establishing the first Wesleyan chapel in Lowestoft.
The Ephemera section contains the usual fascinating and eclectic mix, including an absorbing vellum bound archive of the Ward family of Salhouse Hall, with documents and pictures dating back to the 18th century. Also here is an impressive medal group including a Distinguished Service Cross and OBE awarded to Naval Captain R Emden, whose private papers are held by the Imperial War Museum.
Silver comes next on day one, with nearly 50 lots including a William IV cast silver presentation trophy of Campagna form, which was presented to Rev William Blake of Aylsham in 1838 ‘as a testimony of respect and esteem for his character.
Then comes the watches section, with an impressive selection of pocket watches and wristwatches including an Omega Speedmaster ‘Holy Grail’ dating from the late 1980s which has a pre-sale estimate of £9,000-£10,000 and an 18ct gold Omega triple date ‘Gabus’ dating from the early 1950s, with an estimate of £5,800-£6,400.
After the watches comes the jewellery section, which includes a rare 19th century yellow sapphire and diamond ring and an exquisite 19th century Italian micro mosaic brooch.
Day one of the Sale concludes with the Furniture, Clocks and Bijouterie section. We continue to see a resurgence in the furniture market, and the sale reflects this, with some truly stunning pieces. Included are an Elizabethan style oak tester bed made from period timbers; a selection of pieces by Norfolk maker Jack Grimble; some very collectable 20th century oak furniture by Lyndon Hammell; and a beautiful late 19th century Japanese Shodana side cabinet.
Day two of the Sale is given over to pictures, with the Fine Sale picture section in the morning, and the East Anglian Art Sale in the afternoon.
Amongst hundreds of lots are works by James Mackeown, Geoffrey Chatten, Geoffrey Burrows, Leslie Moore, Jack Cox, Ian Houston, Colin Burns and John Moray-Smith. To top it all, there is even an etching by Pablo Picasso.