On Wednesday the 8th, bidders from all over the United Kingdom, plus a number of telephone lines competed with one another for part of this unique collection, 6 authentic ships Figurehead, lots 1054 to 1059 the largest single collection of such carvings to come on the British market for well over 50 years, found around the coast of North East England at a time when such relics could still be discovered in the coast gardens of Whitby and beyond, one or two of the Figureheads in this collection had been lovingly restored by the previous owner, others he had left in the condition found, each one unique, each one a survivor of a lost age and tradition, bidding was always going to be strong and competitive for this unique and fascinating collection, first off the block and a good
indication of the interest in the salesroom was lot 1054 described as a 19th Century merchant figurehead thought to be rendition of the British Solder and Statesman “LORD RAGLAN”, this Figurehead had been one of the first to be acquitted by the collector and had been restored some 40 years ago, with an estimate of £1,000 to £1,600 on the day he sold for £4,000 plus commission, perhaps the most
interesting and impressive figurehead was lot 1055 a large white lady some 72” long depicting a woman in Grecian-style flowing dress, wearing laurel leaves in her hair and holding a carved shield with the arms of the Royal burgh of Renfrew in Scotland, with an estimate of between £1,500 to £2,500 bidding on this lady was brisk and fast within minuets she was sold for £8,600 plus commission, by this time it had become apparent to all in the salesroom and to those on the telephones that interest in this unique collection of Ships Figureheads
was significant and that any chance of a bargain would be limited, lot 1056 saw a small and attractive female Figurehead from the first half of the nineteenth century in her un restored condition sold for £4,600 plus commission, her original estimate had been £1,500 to £2,500, a second restored figurehead lot 1057 depicted a mid nineteenth century male Figurehead possibly a ship owner with tradition long side
hiskers, wearing a grey coat, waistcoat and white tie, his estimate was a modest £800 to £1,400 on the day he went under the hammer for £2,400 a respectable price for a very respectable gentleman, the second highlight of the sale must have been lot 1058 a fine looking female Figurehead from the Whitehaven schooner “EMILY BURNYEAT” built in 1862, with an
interesting history, she had always been the owners pride and joy, with an estimate of between £2,000 and £3,000 she was eagerly sought after by a number of bidders and after a tussle between telephones sold for £6,400 plus commissions, last but not least lot 1059 a fine looking Figurehead of Neptune and possibly one of the most interesting and finely carved
figureheads in the sale, the head and face of this un restored carving was exceptional, again a modest estimate of between £600 to £1,000 was smashed as he made within minuets £3,500 plus commission, all six figureheads sold on the day for just over £29,000 plus commission, showing the markets interest and appreciation of fine looking authentic carvings, unfortunately this unique collection has now been broken up, each figurehead has found new owners around the United Kingdom, possibly further a field, what is for certain is that never again will this number of Figureheads from the one private collection come on the market again, a once in a life time opportunity.
For Anderson and Garland with a history that can be traced back to 1840, the last sale of 2010 has been memorable for a number of reasons, in both sales with just over £1 million worth over the full four days, plus a number of outstanding and unique lots, situated next to the A1 and within easy reach of the City of Newcastle Anderson and Garland continues the successful mix of innovation and tradition that has been the mainstay of the business for the past 170 years.
ANDERSON & GARLAND,
Anderson House, Crispin Court, Newbiggin Lane, Westerhope, Newcastle upon Tyne, NE5 1BF,
Telephone +44 (0) 191 430 3000
Website: http://www.andersonandgarland.com/