Arts & Antiques

Forthcoming sales at the Mendip Auction Rooms

THE first of the bi-annual Sporting, Fine Wines and Spirits auctions at the Mendip Auction Rooms will take place on March 31st. Always a popular and entertaining event, lots range from high value whiskies and wines, to shooting and fishing equipment, with decorative items of taxidermy and sporting memorabilia offering something of interest to any buyer from town or country.

Whilst all sporting equipment, whether course or fly-fishing rods, old and new, or shotguns, rifles and accessories, always find a buyer, sporting memorabilia still catches the eye. Sporting memorabilia originally developed out of the gentleman’s sporting pursuits in the 19th century, and there isn’t a sport or team today that does not offer its fans some form of souvenir.

This can take the form of trophies, events paraphernalia, autographs, and more, and it is a form of collecting that is accessible to every budget and a good starting place for the budding collector.

Synonymous with Scotland, whisky led the way in the last Sporting, Fine Wines and Spirits sale in September with a Macallan-Glenlivet selling for £6200 and other examples taking up a number of the top selling lots in the auction.

Although spirits and fine wines from all countries attract investors from around the world, according to the Knight Frank Rare Whisky 100 Index, whisky was the best performing collectable of 2018 with a consistent rise in value for rare and maturing bottles.

Whether you have been doing dry January, or any other month, the trend will no doubt continue, making it a good collectable to sell as well as invest in.

The Sporting, Fine Wines and Spirits auction this coming March will once again offer a variety of items for every enthusiast. For a free valuation of items for this or any other sale, please contact the team at the Mendip Auction Rooms.

Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance

Mendip Times reduces travel costs

100,000 potential customers within a short distance of your business

Not on the high street

Artists paint on

THE Somerset Guild of Craftsmen gallery most definitely isn't part of the High Street in Wells - that's not only a statement of geographic fact but also a reflection of what you can expect when you explore this hidden gem.

The guild has now been based in Wells for around five years and can be found “through the arch” next door to Pickwicks, off Broad Street. The work in the gallery is all produced by members and reflects the skill and passion of the craftsmen and women who make up the guild.

A strong sense of purpose and pride pervades the place and the energetic manager, Tanith Tothill, is a constant source of information and suggestions if you are seeking that special “something”. It's been mentioned here before that commission work is welcome and that is another aspect to being “not on the High Street”.

The SGC is a place where makers often discuss the art of the possible through knowledge of their materials and skills.

Perhaps you are a maker yourself? Part of the guild’s “mission” is to encourage excellence and progression in craftwork; application to become a member is very much welcomed.

The guild is a unique part of Somerset and a unique institution in Wells so it's well worth taking a small detour and seeing just what you can discover.

By Chris Walters

Visit: https://www.somersetcraftguild.co.uk/

Compton Dando Pictured (l to r) David Turner, Jean Harnaman, Jan West and Pam Williams

COMPTONDando Art Group members are still meeting weekly and say they really look forward to their Wednesday mornings despite Covid problems.

Art group leader, Sonia Priest, said: “Although painting is very much part of the morning, the social aspect is extremely important particularly during these times.”

Forget the attic –check out the kitchen!

YOU will no doubt have heard the expression beloved of antiques television programme makers of finding a “fortune in your attic”. Well how many of us would expect to find a fortune in our kitchen cupboards?

The kitchen has long been the centre of domestic life but while traditional furniture, such as dressers and tables, has long been desirable, kitchen equipment was for many years overlooked by collectors.

That is until recently. Time moves on and, today, the field of kitchen antiques is one of the most popular areas for collectors. Practically anything involved in cooking or food preparation, from cast iron cauldrons to copper jelly moulds, can fall into the category of kitchenalia.

As many pieces have now been superseded by modern, power-driven equipment, antique or vintage items such as ribbed wooden butter pats, copper kettles, pierced ladles to skim cream, kitchen scales or flat irons, have gained a new life based on their decorative appeal.

Cornishware –the famous blue and white striped pottery that has been cheering up kitchens since the 1920s –has nothing to do with Cornwall. It is, in fact, made in Derbyshire. It got its name from the blue resembling the colour of the sea and the white the tips of the waves on a bright Cornish summer’s day – how poetic.

Over the course of almost a century, hundreds of different Cornishware designs have been produced – from teapots and dinner plates, to rolling pins and storage jars. Decorated in smart black lettering with the name of the intended contents – from Almonds to Soap Flakes and everything in between - these jars are eagerly collected today.

“Tea” and “Coffee” are, unsurprisingly, the most common and sell for just a few

With CHRIS YEO

pounds. More unusual names make more –“Custard Powder” will set you back around £100. Occasionally, however, a previously unrecorded name – or a misspelling –will appear and that’s when collectors get really excited.

A small spice jar marked “CARAWAY SEEDS” normally sells for £50. Last year, one mistakenly marked “CAROWAY SEEDS” sold for £1,300.

Chris Yeo is a valuer at Clevedon Salerooms and regular expert on BBC’s Antiques Roadshow Please visit their website www.clevedonsalerooms.com for more details