Special house contents auction raises almost £400,000

Almost £400,000 has been raised at a rare antiques auction conducted by Martel Maides Auctions in Jersey on Saturday, 19 May.

The contents of Priors, a property in St Saviour, attracted hundreds of islanders during viewing, with 160 in the room at the auction and another 100 bidding from across the world via a live bidding website and telephones.

The collection boasted more than 600 pieces of local and international fine arts, antiques, glass and silver assembled from sales at Christies and Sotheby’s between the 1930s and 1960s.

The items were gathered by George Seymour Tett, and his wife Ella, who moved to Jersey from the UK during the late 1950s and included an array of extraordinary items including early Dutch and English silver and a significant number of antiques, furniture and sculptures.

The auction was led by Martel Maides directors, Clive Maides and James Bridges, and they were assisted by TV personality and auctioneer Charlie Ross. Highlights from the sale included a beautiful bronze statue titled ‘La Pucelle’ by the Serbian sculptor Toma Rosandic – one of only three known examples – which sold for £16,000. A canvas titled ‘The Tulip Tree’ by Frank Bramley sold for £13,000 while a watercolour titled ‘Evensong’ by Pre-Raphaelite painter, Edward Robert Hughes, sold for £11,000.

In addition a painting by 18th Century Jersey-connected marine artist, Peter Monamy, sold for £13,750.

Mr Maides said: “This was the first house contents auction to take place in Jersey for many years and the interest we received has been nothing short of remarkable. Throughout the course of the day the venue was packed out by local antique hunters and the spirit and energy in the room was extraordinary.

“We are incredibly proud that the Tett family appointed us to lead this sale and the outcome has certainly exceeded our expectations. Over the years the Tett family put together an amazing collection and we are pleased that so many people have been able to add some unique pieces to their own personal collections,” added Mr Maides.

in Jersey on Saturday, 19 May.

The contents of Priors, a property in St Saviour, attracted hundreds of islanders during viewing, with 160 in the room at the auction and another 100 bidding from across the world via a live bidding website and telephones.

The collection boasted more than 600 pieces of local and international fine arts, antiques, glass and silver assembled from sales at Christies and Sotheby’s between the 1930s and 1960s.

The items were gathered by George Seymour Tett, and his wife Ella, who moved to Jersey from the UK during the late 1950s and included an array of extraordinary items including early Dutch and English silver and a significant number of antiques, furniture and sculptures.

The auction was led by Martel Maides directors, Clive Maides and James Bridges, and they were assisted by TV personality and auctioneer Charlie Ross. Highlights from the sale included a beautiful bronze statue titled ‘La Pucelle’ by the Serbian sculptor Toma Rosandic – one of only three known examples – which sold for £16,000. A canvas titled ‘The Tulip Tree’ by Frank Bramley sold for £13,000 while a watercolour titled ‘Evensong’ by Pre-Raphaelite painter, Edward Robert Hughes, sold for £11,000.

In addition a painting by 18th Century Jersey-connected marine artist, Peter Monamy, sold for £13,750.

Mr Maides said: “This was the first house contents auction to take place in Jersey for many years and the interest we received has been nothing short of remarkable. Throughout the course of the day the venue was packed out by local antique hunters and the spirit and energy in the room was extraordinary.

“We are incredibly proud that the Tett family appointed us to lead this sale and the outcome has certainly exceeded our expectations. Over the years the Tett family put together an amazing collection and we are pleased that so many people have been able to add some unique pieces to their own personal collections,” added Mr Maides.

Tags: Martel Maides Auctions, pictures, Priors

Category: Arts & Culture, Finance & Business