Published: 15/02/2026
Unsurprisingly the top 10 lot prices achieved in our 5th February sale were dominated by gold and silver, with prices at such high levels now is good time to sell. The top of these was a 9-carat gold charm bracelet set with twenty-two various charms making £2500 hammer The wonderful, hammered silver figure of a "leaping salmon" made by Asprey & Co. Ltd in 1964 which we used in the marketing of the sale achieved a hammer price of £1850. Even with silver prices high, the quality and name behind this piece meant that it was always going to provide the bait for buyers with bidding from the room, phones and of course the internet.
Another unusual sporting related item also attracted quite a deal of interest. With it being on 21 peoples online watch list, it was not a surprise that the bidding on lot 272, a Thomas Turner of Birmingham muzzle loading percussion hammer action military match rifle, circa 1860 with figured walnut stock bearing white metal plaque inscribed "Fife & Kinross Association 1st prize 500 & 600 yards won by Capt Bremner July 1862" started at £1000 twice the estimate with, in the end, two phone bidders battling it out to take it to £2700.
Whilst a bit earlier than the Turner rifle, lot 325 a set of three circa 1803 engravings After Robert Ker Porter depicting scenes of the siege of Seringapatam had plenty of rifles in them. Although in poor condition this set doesn’t come on the market that often and even less so the key "Descriptive sketch of the three prints of the storming of Seringapatam ...", consequently it had bidding from India, Pakistan and the UK via the phone and internet bringing a hammer price of £5,500. This produced some excited murmurings in the room, as by coincidence one of our regular buyers is a relation of the artist and currently in the process of writing a book about him. Maybe we shall be mentioned!Of course, the sale included items some would consider a bit more ordinary, but which got people looking and bidding on them. Showing that good design and craftmanship is popular, that it can fit in most people’s homes and is within reach of people’s wallets. A delightful little oil on board by Oliver Clare of "Eggs in a nest and flowers on a mossy bank" reminded us all that spring is on its way, was on 20 peoples wish list and achieved a hammer total of £180. The ever-popular Ercol “Pebble” nest of three tables made £190 hammer, we shall have to wait and see if the 13 people watching them in this sale, watch the set we have coming up in our 26th February sale.
For the full list of sale results click the link below or if you have any items you are thinking of selling, we would be happy to take a look at and advise you. Call us on 01285 646050 or email fineart@mooreallen.co.uk
5th Feb sale results