Every day we are presented with expert opinion in the media whether it be radio or TV. The BBC employs expert correspondents on every subject under the sun. If that were not enough, we are also expected to listen to the independent experts they wheel out on every subject. There are experts on the economy, the weather in a 100 years time, farming, industry, economic collapse, political intrigue, every disease under the sun, anti-social behaviour and so on. The list is endless. These experts have a couple of common threads; they are all paid by vested interest and before they speak you should ask yourself "Where does their interest lie?" Many of them are paid by us the taxpayer. If you are wondering what the other thread is- simple- they are nearly always wrong and rarely have to account for their error as their views are of the moment. You are wondering where is this leading-- stay with me.
The firm, Deloitte, which is an expert accounting firm, has offered its opinion on antiques about which, hitherto it was little known that they had such expertise. Yes, in the silly season of August, they put out a press release which resulted in the front page headline in the Antiques Trade Gazette "Deloitte's tell clients: buy antiques now". We need all the help we can get and let us hope that this is an example of an "expert" being right. Ask yourself the question above. Answers on a postcard.
Certainly tavern clock buyers have been heading this advice, as after the dearth of activity in August three TCs appeared at auction in September. Clock auctions have been held at Bonhams, Drewatts and Woolley & Wallis. Tavernicus viewed all three. The Drewatts offering was first out of the gate; alas no TC but a superb longcase with an ebonised case by John Knibb, brother of the more famous Joseph, was the star of the show at £23000. No TC at Bonhams either, but the very nice Sedan Clock for restoration was my favourite lot. These little gems seem quite undervalued.
The three TCs in the month were offered at; Sworders (Edwin Ram of Hull, a white round dial, very distressed and original, gilded but no chinoiserie, £4300 hammer), at ELR (an unsigned black round dial with chinoiserie, hammer £3900) and at Woolley & Wallis ( Wm Maurifs Yarmouth, a white round dial, distressed and original with rectification need to the dial surround. A very nice oval weight. Good chinoiserie to the door. Provenance, the Star Hotel Yarmouth pre 1932, hammer £6200). As always, provenance and untouched condition win out but none of these three clocks are particularly distinguished. Whilst in Salisbury for the W&W viewing I took time out to visit the Red Lion Hotel which is a must see as it has two beautiful TCs; one by Williams of Newport, which is just about the only Welsh TC, and a very rare unsigned large banjo TC which is real quality.
To finish, a TC (very late crossover) by McNab of Perth reappeared after restoration, having been auctioned in June 2008. It was on the display of a furniture and artefact specialist at the Lapada Fair in Berkeley Sq. The latter is a new event organised for and by Lapada members and a very fine show it was. Only one clock dealer, which is a pity but perhaps more next year. More fairs and specialist auctions to come, so please revisit.
