FH Ayres rocking horse – £5600 at Adam Partridge.
A rare rocking horse by one of the top 19th-early 20th century makers, FH Ayres of London, left quite a lot to be desired but raced away at Adam Partridge’s (15% buyer’s premium) Macclesfield sale on November 23.
The 3ft 5in (1.05m) tall toy was catalogued as ‘sold as seen’ with replaced saddle and tack and with other components and overall condition ‘to be judged by potential bidder’. Nevertheless, it was stamped with the esteemed maker’s mark to the base and the number 1 to the forehead and was pitched at £4500-5500.