TWGAZE GAZETTE AUTUMN 2017 ISSUE 58
Modern Design page 5
Delight of the Tiles pages 6 & 7
Two British classics headlined the Automobilia Auction at TW Gaze in Diss on Thursday 5 October, exemplary representatives of this Isle’s reputation for motorcycle manufacture, illustrating the best in fine build quality and reliability, not to mention style. The first was a 1952 Matchless, the second, a 1961 AJS lightweight, both submitted for sale by a local private collector. As part of the pre-sale promotion, we took them to the Wymondham Vintage Festival where they attracted a lot of interest from fellow-enthusiasts. Many reminiscing over fond experiences owning similar models in their formative years; others were much younger fans, who had only ever seen examples at shows and in museums, but who instantly recognised these iconic beasts and readily acknowledged the
significance they hold in bike history.
lines were manufactured and marketed successfully side-byside. In 1937 Matchless took over the Sunbeam Company as Both the AJS and the Matchless companies evolved from the early well and the three firms were days of motorcycle manufacture. registered as Associated Motor AJS was founded by the Stevens Cycles (AMC). By 1943, the Sunbeam name had been sold to family and flourished admirably until the days of the Depression the BSA Group, leaving the AMC in the 1920’s; although expertise name in Plumstead where it and proof of product were quite evident, the money ran out and in 1931 AJS went into liquidation. Automobila It was taken over by Matchless, a firm founded by the Collier Post Sale Report brothers who had found success with their bikes in both track continued to refer to the two and road events during the marques as a pair. Edwardian period (1901 – Many models of each bike were 1910). By comparison with AJS, produced over the following they prospered throughout the 1920’s, their product range decades, with subtle and geared very much for sale to the technical amendments ensuring both success in competition general public. AJS manufacture was moved from Wolverhampton races and popularity amongst to join the Matchless factory in faithful clientele. More obvious Plumstead, London and both progression came with the
Vintage Fashion& Furnishings Saturday 21 October Saleroom 1 Contact Debra Brown
Modern & Collectable
T o y s
introduction of spring-frame models in the 1950’s (as an alternative to rigid frames), progressive Duplex frames in the 1960’s, and the ongoing revision of engine specs throughout. Lauded success was achieved by both marques in competition including scrambling, time trials and endurance rides, helped along by the refinements and modernisations introduced.The road versions were not so very different from the competition bikes and some of the stories told by past owners of their exciting, some would say hairraising, adventures as youthful riders of these bikes, suggest they provided some interesting thrills and spills in their day; a rite of passage to car-ownership. No wonder many of the reminiscences recently shared were wistful. However, ultimately, the AJS and Matchless were matched and then overtaken by more modern, progressive
For more information please contact Andre Ling
designers and manufacturers better in tune with the mid-20th Century market’s motoring requirements. By the end of the 1960’s, original production ceased and this era of home-grown giants came to an end. Now such bikes are held in high esteem, sought-after and cherished.A fact that was readily born out at Auction on Thursday 5 October: the AJS making £2,600 with the Matchless fetching £3,000. Other results of note included a 1975 Triumph 2000 MkII, £2900, an enamelled Triumph sign £290, a Shell petrol pump globe £380 and a Michelin Man air compressor £360. Full results are available on www.twgaze.co.uk.
Friday 20 October Saleroom 3 Contact R u p e r t Willows A Marx Toys tinplate and plastic “The Climbing Fireman” toy £30-50
Post Sale Report by Oliver Allen
Our final Clocks and Watches sale of 2017 once again featured some very strong results in what continues to be a resurgent market. The sale began with the watch section which featured a wide range of Swiss wristwatch manufacturers and some quality antique English pocket watches. The star lot of the sale was lot 4035 – an 18ct gold wristwatch by Vacheron and Constantin. An estimate of £1000-1500 attracted three phone lines together with multiple internet and room buyers competing for the coveted timepiece. Eventually knocked down to a telephone bidder for £2,400 it again proved Vacheron & Constantin to be one of the premier and most prestigious makers in the watch industry, a name to look out for. Other notable highlights in the watch section included a 1950’s Rolex Oyster Precision (lot 4034 - £1200), an Omega Speedmaster Professional Mk II (lot 4092 - £850), a 9ct gold half hunter pocket watch with chain (lot 4003 - £1000) and a Breitling Windrider automatic wristwatch (lot 4089 - £850).
4034
4092
4003
4151
4154
To complement the watches the sale aslo included a fine selection of clocks and barometers together with tools, materials, spares and horological literature dating from the 18th Century to the present day. Two fine Regency period English bracket clocks perfectly demonstrated the quality on offer, lots 4151 and 4154 by their respective London and Norwich makers, each selling for £1600 to the same room buyer. Longcase clocks had a stronger return than the spring sale but with the markets for typical country longcases remaining extremely hit and miss. Decorative French clocks from the 19th Century remained more popular with around a dozen examples selling for £100 – 500. With this sale gradually increasing in strength and with a new saleroom in the pipeline (I am sure you have noticed), future ideas include the introduction of one sale solely dedicated to clocks and barometers, and the other for quality wrist and pocket watches. Maybe next year or the year after…time will tell. Nonetheless whatever 2018’s calendar has in store, entries for the next sale are now accumulating so please feel free to contact me if you have any questions regarding this department or potential consignments. ‘till the next time, Oliver Allen
Waistel Cooper (1921-2003) by
James Bassam
Modern Design 11 November
Waistel Cooper was born in Ayr, Scotland in 1921. Originally he had been a painter after studies at the Edinburgh College of Art.After the war he was commissioned to paint portraits in Iceland where his first exhibitions were held. It was his The market though is broad and constantly changing depending on friendship with an Icelandic sculptor Gestur Thorgrimsson that collecting fields. Highest prices have always been for Lucie Rie and changed his artistic medium and he would decorate vases thrown Hans Coper but they are now joined by John Ward, Jennifer Lee by his colleague. and Elizabeth Fritsch after an evolving market has pushed prices Moving to England gave him the opportunity to experiment and he into five figures. set up in Somerset at Porlock. His interest was in form and texture Most however are nowhere near this pinnacle but there are certain and he was more influenced by the simplistic wares of Rie and potters who are becoming more collectable. One such artist is Coper rather than the Japanese and Korean styled pots of Bernard Waistel Cooper and now maybe the time to buy before prices get Leach. He wanted a clay body that rather high.An opportunity arises would suit his unglazed textural with the next Modern Design Sale style which somewhat reflected on Saturday 11 November which the rocky landscape of Iceland and includes two vases typical of his after a few years he perfected his ideal. work. Studio pottery is currently riding on the crest of a good wave with examples from some of the leading potters achieving ever higher prices at auction.
After the death of his first wife he moved to St Ives in Cornwall setting up The Barbican Gallery and Pottery. Evolving his technique and experimenting with glazes he gained a good reputation amongst other potters and had exhibition success even if not as widely known as his contemporaries. Unfortunately it has only been after his own death in 2003 that auction prices have slowly risen with the biggest rise only in the last year.This may be because those high prices for the elite are becoming beyond the reach of most of us so buyers are looking to the next level sourcing quality and academic excellence for their collections.Whatever the case, the two vases included in our next sale will have a pre-sales estimate of ÂŁ100-200 each and will be joined by other studio pots for all budgets.
Delight of the Tiles by Elizabeth Talbot MRICS Tiles are both decorative and functional and have proved successful additions to architectural schemes throughout much of civilised history. They are used in churches and mosques, restaurants and shops, hospitals and homes and cover walls and floors, roofs and pavements, furniture and stoves. They are so much part of our surroundings that it is easy to overlook them or take their presence for granted. The earliest known examples of tiles are Egyptian, dating from 4,000 BC, but early examples are also in existence which were made by Assyrians, Babylonians and the Islamic Empire, not to mention those found in Tunisia from the 9th Century, Kashan Iran from the 11th Century, and in many MiddleEastern mosques from the 12th Century onwards. The earliest tiles in Western Europe were found in a number of locations in England (e.g. York and Winchester) from the 10th Century, but because glazed tiles were an expensive feature in a building their use was restricted to wealthy ecclesiastic establishments. From the14th Century tin
glazed tile-making spread from Holland over to England. From the 16th Century onwards Moorish tile-making spread slowly north through Spain. In 1584 the first potters established themselves in the Dutch town of Delft. In just over fifty years, these potters secured a reputation for excellence and the city of Delft became famous for its characteristic blue-and-white earthenware. The industry flourished for a time, but by 1725 the Delft industry had begun to decline. Whilst the Dutch perfected blue and white Delft, heavily influenced by Chinese ornamentation, the Spanish pioneered Majolica, which tended to be very colourful and often geometric in design. In the 19th Century Britain pioneered mass-produced tiles. English tile making expanded rapidly during the industrial revolution, peaked in the late 1800s and slumped during the Edwardian period (1901 – 1910). American tile makers enjoyed a similar period of prosperity to their counterparts but had to compete with English imports. The Arts & Crafts movement reinvigorated the handcraft of tile making, and it was used
extensively in interiors for fireplace surrounds as well as wall decoration. The English leading light in design and decoration of tiles at this period was William de Morgan, who was closely associated with Edward Burne-Jones and William Morris and their creative work as leaders of the Arts and Crafts Movement.
led to the use of ceramic tiles in kitchens and bathrooms. Even subways were lined with ceramic tiles in various distinctive styles and often combining into colourful wall murals. The English company which set the standard in this area, for both patented utilitarian wares and flamboyant high-art tiling, was Royal Doulton.
Tiles are much collected and studied. Collectors may specialize in tiles from a particular era, country of origin, colour, subject matter, or maker. They are easily displayed in frames, configured as a table top or recycled into a wall decoration.
A greater understanding of sanitary hygiene by the beginning of the 20th Century
Quarterly Antiques Special Auction Friday 13 October
Thank you The end of September brought sad tidings of the deaths of two recently-retired members of the Gaze’s team. Having worked a combined total of 36 years for the firm, both were familiar faces at the Auction Rooms.
Sheila Barnard 1941 – 2017 Shelia was a multi-talented lady, loyal and devoted to TW Gaze. She welcomed and greeted visitors at the front gates on sale days (whatever the weather) with warmth and pride, cleaned the premises fastidiously as nothing was ever too much trouble, and always put the wellbeing of others before herself.As an amazing self-motivated stalwart of all things TWG, Sheila promoted auctions and events around Diss with infectious enthusiasm – especially when the BBC or Tim Wonnacott were expected!
Carl Willows 1947 – 2017 Carl was valuer and auctioneer, but primarily the curator, backbone, and for many clients, the recognizable figure-head, of the Architectural and Rural Bygones sale, having developed them some 20 years’ ago. Come rain or snow (as well as sun) Carl would be found outside amongst the lots, cigarette alight, tirelessly applying himself to tasks in hand. A hugely knowledgeable man, to whom colleagues would readily turn for insight into “mystery” objects, Carl was also self-effacing and modest. He was well-known, well-liked and greatly respected.
Multiple words prove insufficient to quantify how much these two wonderful individuals have been valued over the years, so a simple but sincere “Thank you” must stand to publically mark our appreciation. Sheila and Carl will be greatly missed and long remembered. GAZETTE Issue 58 Autumn’17
TW Gaze Diss Auction Rooms, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4LN www.twgaze.co.uk