Here our some recent auction results and other related comments that may be of some assistance to both consignors and buyers in making informed decisions on buying and selling at auction. We hope to make this a monthly commentary of on going events relating to our auction business.

Time passes at an accelerated pace the older we get! We conducted two auctions in March with excellent results for the better quality items, but as usual the lower-end items sort of lagged the field. Canadian artwork was well received with only three pieces not meeting the reserve, although bargains were won by a few astute buyers who had done their homework. We had a couple of turn of the century French bronzes that could have done a little better… but considering the present state of the economy we were satisfied with the results. Let’s hope better times are ahead! Again, the jewellery was well received, except for a couple of garish pieces not suited to Ottawa tastes, and nice old English pieces fetched fair prices with both buyers and consignors being satisfied. A superb English Victorian Loo table in walnut with satinwood inlay was a steal at $750 and several other pieces of English Victorian occasional furniture were snapped up at very good prices to the buyer.

Items that years ago would have brought premium prices are now totally out of favour; run-of-the-mill Doulton figurines that used to fetch $300/400 now consistently sell in the $80 to $125 range…and that’s really their true value. People are getting more astute and more sophisticated in their tastes, demanding good value for their money. If a piece has quality, good workmanship and is pleasing to the eye with promise of appreciating in value, then it will still bring a fair price. Fine quality sterling brings premium prices and always will: for example, a turn of the century Prussian tray of good weight but a little worse for the wear realized $1,750 while a Birks’ presentation tray, inscribed and weighing 28ozs., realized about scrap value at $325. We just wish there were more quality sterling items available! Our next auction will carry a few very nice pieces of Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian sterling.

We are now gathering quality and unusual items for our forthcoming auction and if you wish to discuss any pieces you are contemplating selling please give us a call. We will gladly do house calls within the city of Ottawa at no charge, and out-of-town calls will incur a modest fee. One last comment: about a year ago we visited a client who was selling her home and wanted to retain the items until the sale had been completed. About a month later, we received a call to say that the house was sold and could we remove the consigned items as soon as possible. On our first visit I had noticed a pair of Louis Icart prints, circa 1920’s, framed and hanging on the wall, with a value of approx $3,000 each. To my surprise on return visit, the frames were still hanging but the Icarts were gone and pieces of material that matched the drapes were now within the frames. When I inquired about the Icarts, the client blissfully informed me that the house “Stager” had removed the prints and tossed them out with the garbage to make the house appear more contemporary. There’s no need for me to give my opinion of “Stagers”. See you at the auction!

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shawn@spoonerauctions.com

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