Westcountry Fine Furniture Auction Preview

Published 17th January 2015

A Turkish Carpet of Very Large Size (FS25/751) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 27th January 2015 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

The Winter 2015 Quarterly Sale of Fine Art includes the customary section of antique furniture and carpets and it is the latter carpet category that provides one of the highlights.

It is not often that a Turkish carpet (FS25/751) of such a large size is offered for sale. It measures some 26ft 8in x 23ft 5in, which should provide suitable covering for even the largest room. The pre-sale estimate is £2,000-£3,000.

The Winter 2015 Fine Art Sale is being held at our Westcountry Saleroom Complex in Exeter with Live Online Bidding. The furniture auction includes this large farmhouse table in Elm (FS25/765).

There is a good section of country furniture, which includes an unusually large farmhouse table in elm (FS25/765) – the top measuring just shy of 12ft x 2ft 10in, which would provide a perfect table for a large winter supper party. A good range of oak dressers and coffers are excellent value for money at the present time.

The late 17th century walnut oyster veneer chest banded in sycamore (FS25/773) would grace any room and is inviting bids of around £2,000-£3,000.

The period furniture auction includes an unusual Regency X frame stool (FS25/791) designed by Thomas Hope, which carries a pre-sale estimate of £2,000-£3,000.

A pretty walnut oyster veneer chest (FS25/773), banded in sycamore is offered with a pre-sale estimate of £2,000-£3,000. This piece would grace any room.

An unusual item from the early 19th Century is offered for sale being a Regency X frame stool designed by Thomas Hope (FS25/791). The stool matches the design for a set of six stools in the drawing room of Thomas Hope's residence in Duchess Street, London and is illustrated in Hope's Household Furniture and Interior Decoration 1807. The estimate is £2,000-£3,000.

A Victorian burr walnut veneer writing cabinet (FS25/802) is expected to realise between £800 and £1,200.

For lovers of Victorian furniture, an unusual walnut veneer writing cabinet (FS25/802) is offered. It combines the decorative elements of a Davenport with the practicality of storage and is estimated at £800-£1,200.

From the Continent comes an imposing 19th Century French kingwood, floral marquetry and gilt metal mounted armoire (FS25/819). For those people contemplating a range of fitted wardrobes in their bedroom, then think again, because this piece of furniture is not only practical but far more decorative than an MDF fitted unit – and with a greater re-sale value!

Also from the Continent is a mid-18th Century Portuguese padoukwood, coromandel and brass mounted chest (FS25/822). A highly decorative piece to fit in a hallway, the pre-sale estimate is £2,500-£3,000.

A 19th century kingwood, floral marquetry and gilt metal mounted armoire (FS25/819) is also being offered in the furniture auction.

A mid-18th century Portuguese chest (FS25/822), which would fit nicely in a hallway, is expected to fetch £2,500-£3,000.

On a contemporary note, the final couple of lots in the sale provide an interesting variety of contemporary design.

There is a Jansko swivel chair in Perspex and fibreglass (FS25/839) and a red cardboard chair (FS25/837), possibly designed by Peter Raacke – and yes, the cardboard is robust enough to take the weight of the 15 stone managing director!