By Terence Ryle
With impressive bids from UK, Continental and US buyers on lots from paperweights and 17th century oak carvings to snuff boxes, and surprisingly high bids on fine English furniture, the Autumn Fine Sale at Gorringe’s (21% buyer’s premium) topped the £1m hammer mark.
Excellent in itself, the result left the question as to whether this was a case of a number of high-sellers distorting the total – the familiar ‘best and the rest’ syndrome – or an encouraging sign for the market generally.