We often wonder at just what sell these days; collecting will always be a part of people’s lives, but what buyers collect and what constitutes the highest values often make the shall we say older generation of valuers shrug their shoulders and with a thankful smile thank their lucky stars that they are nearer the end of their valuing careers rather than the beginning.
Record auction prices for Nike trainers and Pokemon cards create amazement, with many not understanding WHY they achieve what they do: it is quite simple why a price is achieved though, rare things wanted by persons with the means to buy often result in high prices. These days we are happy to see the passion involved in any sale whether it be large or small, but the heart beats slightly faster when good prices are found on traditional high quality pieces too, especially when such pieces have a use other than looking pretty or being rare.
Take the collection of Gillows and similar furniture recently sold at Golding Young Lincoln on the 17th June. Standing at Lincoln Show that morning, it was incredible to hear the number of people attending the Golding Young stand with the familiar untruth, “Well, brown furniture isn’t worth anything anymore!”
I suppose it is only a half untruth, brown furniture (or furniture) IS still selling and sometimes making as much or more than ever before.
Here come the cliches: items small in stature in good order and of high quality with provenance still continue to set pulses racing. This select collection of furniture proves the point.
Each piece was almost certainly by Gillows of Lancaster. The firm founded in 1730 by Robert Gillow, from quite modest origins, but becoming a powerhouse renowned for quality and quantity and using only the finest timbers from across the world for the best part of the next 200 years.
By the end of the first quarter of the 19th century, when much of this furniture in the sale was made, the firm was at its absolute pinnacle and these pieces proved it by the use of the finest timbers and highest quality items you will see.
Many pieces were stamped, many others were not, this does not differentiate the quality of the piece and these items sold were of the finest quality. Only around 40% Gillows furniture was stamped and what did help was every piece was being purchased from the highest end dealers in the early 2000s a heyday for such items and most importantly, the provenance remained intact which helps any sale.
A reading table, complex in appearance, but of multiple use and using the finest grained timbers reached £3200, a Davenport desk, stamped to the inside GILLOWS made £1600, a crocus table, small in stature but high in class took £1700, a teapoy £400. These are strong auction prices and create great optimism that their remains interest in the highest quality items. Each item had a use, but was small enough to fit in any home literally and had the look to fit in any home metaphorically. The juxtaposition of modern furniture with these classic Regency pieces helped achieve the big ticket prices in the sale.
We appreciate all sales, we marvel and raise eyebrows at some, but always appreciate the adoration and determination of buyers when any price is paid for any item. It makes us warm inside though when traditional, high quality pieces make traditional high quality prices.
It also reminds us all; never assume everything of type is worthless, use an RICS accredited firm like Golding Young to promote and sell your items and never dismiss furniture or anything else without professional advice.
