The Under the Hammer column with Morphets of Harrogate

You quickly learn when working as a fine art and antique valuer that ‘treasure’ comes in all shapes and sizes.
A Lalique Ondines opalescent bowl and platter.A Lalique Ondines opalescent bowl and platter.
A Lalique Ondines opalescent bowl and platter.

People treasure all manner of things and it’s not always the obvious diamonds and pearls.

The Morphets’ team is busy working on gradually clearing a house in Harrogate that is full of delightful items many of them packed away in cardboard boxes printed with long-forgotten produce and slogans from the post war era.

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The newspaper wrapping revealing they were last handled in 1949 before being stored away in the attic and many cupboards when the family moved from a large estate in West Yorkshire to a more modest sized property in the town.

An early ebony and ivory inlaid table cabinet.An early ebony and ivory inlaid table cabinet.
An early ebony and ivory inlaid table cabinet.

After unpacking and carefully sifting through household paraphernalia the house has given up its treasure, covered in nigh on 70 years’ worth of dust but in excellent condition.

A Lalique Ondines opalescent bowl and platter, illustrated here, came out of one box, and this early ebony and ivory inlaid table cabinet from another.

Each of the drawers fitted in the cabinet held late 19th and early 20th century jewellery ranging from precious stones and metals to fabulous costume jewellery.

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This platinum and amethyst cabochon set bracelet and matching ear-rings is just one of the many pieces found.

This platinum and amethyst cabochon set bracelet and matching ear-rings is just one of the many pieces found.This platinum and amethyst cabochon set bracelet and matching ear-rings is just one of the many pieces found.
This platinum and amethyst cabochon set bracelet and matching ear-rings is just one of the many pieces found.

The design could almost be modern but dates to the 1950s/60s.

Pairs of cufflinks, ear-rings and a brooch by Georg Jensen, the Danish designer, together with a large collection of charms in 9ct, 14ct and 18ct of exquisite design were squirrelled away in trinket boxes and little packages.

The house is filled with antique furniture, porcelain, works of art, jewellery and silver, textiles and handbags from the 1920s and 30s, collectors’ items including die cast and tin plate vehicles still in original boxes, champagne, 1930s scrap books from world tours following a society wedding and items purchased during the couples travels to far flung places including the Orient, the South Sea Islands, Americas and Australia.

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The contents of the house will come under the hammer at Morphets, the Harrogate auctioneers, on October 31 followed by selected items included in the quarterly Fine Art and Antique Catalogue Sale to be held on November 28 and in the Textile and Vintage Costume Sale and Collectors’ Sale to be held in the spring (dates to be announced).

Entries are being accepted for the November Fine Art and Antique Catalogue Sale until the deadline on Friday, November 1.

If you are considering selling and would like free confidential advice on the auction value of your items please contact Elizabeth Pepper-Darling or Nicholas Mellors on 01423 530030, [email protected] or [email protected].

Morphets hold a free Valuation Afternoon every Wednesday between 2pm and 5pm at their Saleroom and Offices at 6 Albert Street, Harrogate HG1 1JL. If you have something you’d like to know more about or how much it’s worth then come and see the valuers next Wednesday.