By Terence Ryle
In a diverse 515-lot sale, finely carved wood and alabaster, porcelain and even furniture took eye-catching bids – but much of the wider market was waiting to see how a large consignment of 18th and 19th century ivory carvings would fare at Woolley & Wallis (22% buyer’s premium) on October 4.
The Salisbury sale was held a couple of days before the kite-flying threat by environment secretary Michael Gove of a near-total ban in ivory sales. It remains to be seen whether the market’s resilience in this controversial field will continue.