18/07/2025 General News
Although we have auctions going on all the time, there is little doubt which sales are the highlight of the year: our three Fine Sales, which feature the highest quality items, including ceramics and glass, oriental antiques and art, watches and jewellery, silver, furniture and clocks, and paintings, writes Tim Blyth.
This year’s Summer Fine Sale takes place over two days next week, Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th July, and so this month I thought I would give you a flavour of what is going under the hammer by picking out just a few highlights from the several hundred lots on offer.
We were very excited to receive a consignment, from a single collector, of furniture made by the renowned Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson, who earned his nickname through including a carved wooden mouse on every piece of furniture he made. We have ten pieces in the auction, including a stunning oak sideboard (estimate £1,200-£1,500) and a fine octagonal dining table (estimate £800-£1,200).
Our Fine Sales always include an extensive silver section, and this time around there are some really standout pieces. These include a pair of George III silver tureens dating from 1785 (£3,500-£4,500), an Edwardian candelabra dating from 1905 (£3,000-£3,500), and a George V presentation silver punch bowl which was presented to Princess Patricia of Connaught on her marriage by members of Queen Alexandra’s household (£2,000-£2,500).
The buoyant market for top-end watches is reflected by the presence of several really desirable examples in the Sale, including an 18ct gold Omega Triple Date Moonphase dating from 1948 (£7,000-£8,000), an Omega Speedmaster Ed White DON BEZEL dating from 1967 (£7,000-£8,000), and a Rolex Explorer gents watch (£4,500-£5,000).
The jewellery section has a wide variety of antique, vintage and more modern pieces including a stunning Art Deco diamond bow brooch by JE Caldwell & Co (£1,000-£1,500) and an Art Nouveau brooch in the manner of Lalique (£6,000-£8,000).
Our Fine Sales always kick off with an extensive ceramics and glassware section, and this time is no different. Most of the biggest names are represented, including Lalique, Meissen, Dresden, Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, Royal Crown Derby, Capodimonte, Moorcroft, and, as ever, Lowestoft porcelain. There are also several notable items of oriental ceramics.
The Pictures section of the Sale includes our East Anglian Art Sale, recognised as one of the most important auctions of works by artists from our region. This includes four works by sought after Norfolk painter Colin Burns, while the Fine Art section has four works by Irish artist James MacKeown, a name which is causing an increasing stir in salerooms around the world.
Finally, one of the most interesting parts of the Sale is always the Ephemera section, which often throws up lots of historical interest. This time is no different, with a rare Battle of Waterloo prize money certificate (a total of £978,848 was divided among those who fought in the battle) which has an estimate of £500-£700, and an iconic image from the Apollo 11 mission which featured on the cover of Life magazine, taken by Neil Armstrong and featuring Buzz Aldrin. The print is signed by Armstrong and has a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,500.
Keys Summer Fine Sale, which includes takes place on Wednesday 23rd and Thursday 24th July at their Aylsham salerooms and live online; for more details, visit www.keysauctions.co.uk.