The autumn Fine & Decorative auction at Roseberys was led by a rare pair of extinct taxidermy huia birds, native to New Zealand, that sold to an international buyer. The birds realised a price of £52,240.

“The sale achieved some outstanding results for rare and provenanced items from private collections, including a slice of fruit cake from the wedding of Queen Elizabeth and Prince Philip from 1947 (£551); a personal Wedgwood dinner service belonging to renowned chef and restaurateur Anton Mosimann (£6,298); and a Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas wardrobe trunk in extremely good condition (£18,368),” said Anna Evans, Head of Furniture & Works of Art.

Sale Highlights

Lot 56: A pair of rare extinct taxidermy New Zealand Huia birds (Heteralocha acutirostris), late 19th century - Price realised: £52,240

Examples are largely held in museum and private collections and do not appear on the open market very often.  This fully mounted adult pair of a male and female in fine condition were much admired on our pre-sale view and sold to an internet bidder for £52,240.

 

Lot 177: A Sèvres blue and green-ground part déjeuner, circa 1759 - Price Realised: £14,432

Provenanced to North Mymms Park, Hertfordshire, this beautiful déjeuner was keenly fought by two determined telephone bidders.

Lot 50: A bronze model of a billy goat, after the Antique, late 19th century - Price Realised: £10,234

This characterful bronze sculpture after an example found in Pompeii and now in the Museo Archeologico Nazionale di Napoli, saw competitive bidding from the room, telephones and online and hammered at £10,234 against an estimate of £800-1200.

Lot 96: A joined length of Italian 'ferronerie' type green voided velvet, circa 15th century - Price Realised: £5,510

This exceptional textile panel provenance to the historic family collection of Carmen Thyssen, demonstrated the market’s strength for beautiful early textiles. £5,510.

Lot 133: A Louis Vuitton monogrammed canvas wardrobe trunk, circa 1925 - Price Realised: £18,368

In remarkable condition and evoking the golden age of transatlantic travel, this trunk was a must buy for Louis Vuitton collectors.  An extended battle between the telephones and online saw it sell for £18,368.