MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR

I would like to start by saying a heartfelt thank you for your support during 2023.

Without our clients, we would not have enjoyed such an exciting sale calendar and achieved such strong growth in specialist areas such as Fine Asian Art and Fine Watches.    

Alongside this, we have been busy expanding our sales repertoire with the launch of new specialist departments, namely Fine Silver and Pictures, which has allowed us to welcome yet more talent into the team with new Heads of Department, Duncan Campbell and Graham Snow, respectively.     

This year we have worked hard to develop a strong reputation for handling single owner collections, exemplified by The Anthony Lovett Collection and The Ralph Bateman Collection this autumn. For both sales, it was an absolute joy and privilege to share the collector’s unique story and exceptional pieces with our global audience.  

Of the many highlights this year we would like to name a few; a rare Chinese bronze naval cannon dating to the 17th century achieved our highest price across departments, selling for a staggering £214,500 on 6 November in our Fine Asian Art auction.  It was no surprise, The Anthony Lovett Collection of exquisite Kangxi famille verte porcelain gave us the most hotly contested bidding of the year, matched by strong prices, with a large famille verte bitong selling for £107,900.   

The Ralph Bateman Collection of pictures charmed collectors in November, with ‘Jeunne Femme en Rouge’ by Moise Kisling reaching £119,600 in a white glove auction where all lots were sold.  From the world of Classic Cars, an elegant 1953 Lancia Aurelia Series II topped the bill selling for £105,600 in March.  

The year culminated in our first ever international auction held in Hong Kong in partnership with Argent, where the contents of three private estates were successfully sold. The auction calendar is still in development and we look forward to an exciting private collection auction in the spring. 

2024 kicks off with the largest and most varied private collection that I have seen in my 35+ years in the industry – The Private Collection of the Late ‘Great’ George Withers – to be offered over the course of two days, 21 and 22 February.  George Withers was an avid collector with an eye for quality, whose home was literally packed to the rafters with antiques and collectables from all disciplines. We can’t wait to share the highlights with you in the new year.  

In the meantime, have a truly wonderful Christmas.

Lee Young

Managing Director

Sold prices include fees