Summer Fine Sale Preview

Most auction houses have a hierarchy of sales, holding back the very best lots – whether in terms of value, interest or rarity – for special, high-value sales, writes Tim Blyth.  At Keys, these translate into our thrice-yearly Fine Sales, which stretch over three days; the second of our 2024 Fine Sales takes place later this month.

With the advent of internet bidding, collectors and traders no longer have to be in the room to bid, which means that fine sales held in the leading provincial auction houses can now compete with auctions held by the biggest London names, because if you are a potential buyer sitting in Beijing, or New York, or Dubai, it makes no difference where the sale is physically taking place.

The result is that our Fine Sales attract bidders from all over the world.  Last year we despatched sold lots to people in more than 80 different countries; Aylsham really is now a global centre for high-quality fine art antiques.

July’s Fine Sale, which incorporates the East Anglian Art Sale, will be held over three days, and contains 613 lots covering ceramics, glass, oriental items, paintings, jewellery, silver, clocks and watches, furniture, decorative items, and rare wines and whiskies.

Highlights include:

• A very rare Lowestoft porcelain turret shaped blue and white teapot and cover, which has a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,500
• A bottle of The Macallan 1950 Single Highland Malt Scotch Whisky with original red ribbon and wax seal, estimate £4,000-£5,000
• A very rare Prisoner Of War Rolex 3525 chronograph watch, together with a medal group and POW dog tags named to Capt D Mackenzie of the Royal Artillery, estimate £15,000-£20,000
• A pair of Art Deco diamond earrings, estimate £3,000-£3,500
• An elaborate Thai Howda elephant riding chair, estimate £2,000-£3,000
• A French Louis XVI walnut veneered Bombe commode chest, estimate £1,500-£2,500
• Two David Hockney etching and aquatints dating from 1970, signed by the artist, each with a pre-sale estimate of £4,500-£5,500
• A watercolour by Alfred Munnings entitled ‘The Wager’, estimate £800-£1,200

Keys’ Summer Fine Sale takes place on Wednesday 24^th, Thursday 25^th and Friday 26^th July.  Full details, including an online catalogue, are available at www.keysauctions.co.uk.