Busby Auctioneers & Valuers

Past Auctions 98 Auctions

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A large and heavy Georgian gold mounted garnet intaglio portrait ring, the gold in two colours, the large possibly earlier garnet well carved with the Greek youth Antinous, the garnet 26x21mm, size V, 20.4g The intaglio portrait looks to be based on 'The Marlborough Antinous', a famous intaglio re-discovered during the Renaissance era with well documented ownership- recently sold by Christies in 2019 as lot 37 in its sale 'Masterpieces in Miniature: Ancient Engraved Gems formerly in the G. Sangiorgi Collection'.
Thu 21st November 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A late Victorian mahogany hall stand, with mirror surrounded by eight coat hooks, two tiles inset below, the stick stand with two circular drip trays, 83cm wide, 28cm deep, 143cm high
Fri 8th November 2024 from 10am
Bridport
An 18ct gold and diamond navette form cluster ring, gross weight, size M 1/2, 6.4g
Thu 7th November 2024 from 10am
Bridport
An 18ct white gold mounted sapphire and diamond triple cluster ring, the diamonds totalling approx. 1ct, the sapphires approx. 2cts total, gross weight 6g
Fri 4th October 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A 1920s Japanese kimono robe, cream silk allover embroidered with wisteria and fish scale pattern, with gold thread detail and orange silk lining, 124cm wide, 174cm long
Thu 3rd October 2024 from 10am
Bridport
Ends Thu 17th October 2024 from 12pm
Bridport
A George III mahogany wing armchair, late 18th century, upholstered in corduroy, with a loose cover 111cm high, 63cm wide, 82cm deep
Fri 6th September 2024 from 10am
Bridport
An 18ct white gold mounted sapphire and diamond triple cluster ring, the diamonds totalling approx. 1ct, the sapphires approx. 2cts total, gross weight 6g
Thu 5th September 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A 9ct gold emerald and diamond trilogy ring, the three Zambian emeralds 2.19cts, the tapered baguette cut diamonds 0.04cts, size Q, gross weight 2.4g
Thu 1st August 2024 from 10am
Bridport
An important 18th century suite of mahogany seat furniture, c.1760, comprising a sofa, ten upholstered side chairs, and three window seats of graduating size, all raised on gadrooned and cabochon carved cabriole legs, terminating in scroll feet and leather casters, the property of Mr Combe of Earnshill House, Somerset. Earnshill House was completed in 1731, built by the merchant Henry Combe ‘after the Italian manner’. Henry Combe is described variously as a shipowner and linen-draper, and was clearly a prominent figure in Bristol, where he was Mayor of the city in 1740-41, and stood for parliament from 1740 until his death. The estate was inherited by his son, Richard Combe (1728-80). The personal accounts of Richard Combe remain elusive, but detailed cash books exist for the estate, which show Richard drawing increased personal funds from around 1760, perhaps for the furnishing of his Somerset seat. The suite, built for the house c.1760, is an incredibly rare example in that there is documentary evidence of its existence in the property from just a few years after its creation. Currently held in the Somerset archives, “An Inventory of the Furniture at Earnshill taken the 15th of September 1780” reads: The Green Drawing Room ... 8 Chairs & 1 Sopha covered with Do. 1 Mahogany Card Table The India Drawing Room ... 2 Chairs 3 half Sophas The suite currently comprising of exactly this number, with the corresponding card table, there can be little doubt that this inventory refers to the same. The suite gets a mention in a Country Life article of October 20th 1960; ‘The saloon, not at present in use, retains its important mahogany suite of seat furniture comprising a settee, 12 chairs, to stools and a window stool. A Mark of the unusually high quality of the set is that the finely scrolled legs with cabochon enrichment are repeated at the back of all the pieces. But since the design is typical of the 1750s the set must be a little later than the room, to which lustre is given by the graceful late-18th-century cut glass chandelier’ The suite is very much in the manner of Cobb and Vile, and indeed William Vile does have Somerset connections, with relatives in nearby South Petherton being mentioned in his will; to 'James Humphrey and Sarah Humphrey late of South Petherton … Somerset, but now of London, my cousins’, to ‘William Humphrey of Middle Lambrook … Somerset, farmer, my Kinsman. Vile was also working extensively in Dorset at this time, both at Came House, and at Longford Castle, supplying furniture to the former from c.1756-1764. A provincial maker has, however, been suggested for this suite, potentially a Bristol firm, but certainly West Country based. A second, and rather opinionated, Country Life article of 1960 comments: ‘The architect seemed to be well read in Palladian theory and acquainted with the latest developments of country villa design…but to show his second-rateness in the clumsiness of certain parts and their relationships, resulting in a curious inordinateness’. The family portraits, too, are in the latest styles, but display a slight naivety in execution. Accordingly, although the suite displays the highest quality in workmanship, an excellent knowledge of the latest fashions, and has no expense spared in timber use and selection, the decorative carving of the cabochons sits a little oddly with the gadrooned border, itself, at points, somewhat unusually conceived. This would point to the suite not being the work of a London firm. Polly Legge in her study of the Bastard Brothers of Blandford (The Bastards of Blandford: an Inventory of their Losses in the Fire of 1732, Furniture History, 1994) has shown the potential for a provincial firm to be producing work in the latest fashions, and to the highest quality. She writes: ‘the many furniture entries in the inventory demonstrate that the manufacture and sale of furniture formed a considerable part of the family business…the large stock of walnut veneers indicates that many of the articles were expensively veneered. Gilded and japanned items are also recorded. It would appear that John Bastard's occasional use of the term 'cabinet maker' was justified’. High quality examples attributed to the Bastard Brothers can be found at Lulworth Castle, in part decorated and furnished by the Bastards. This being the case, it seems very likely that this is a rare and historically interesting example of an extensive and expensive suite of 18th century furniture, made provincially, but by a workshop thoroughly 'acquainted with the latest developments' in furniture design.
Thu 18th July 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A 9ct gold bangle set with a central blue topaz and diamonds, 12.4g
Thu 4th July 2024 from 10am
Bridport
1954 Austin-Healey 100/4 BN1 Registration Number: YVS 717 Chassis Number: 159271 Engine Number: B214614M Transmission: Manual with Overdrive Steering: Right Hand Drive MOT Test Expiry: Exempt Road Tax Exempt DVCA is very pleased to offer this 100/4 BN1 from 1954. An original right hand drive export model (to Larke Hoskins Limited of Sydney, Australia), the 100/4 successfully competed with Bernie Huynen ('Mr Healey' of Australia). Mr Huynen enjoyed the sporting car as he toured Australia, participating in race meets, rallies and competitions, and then took it to New Zealand in the early 1980s, which is where the current custodian, a Navy helicopter pilot, purchased the sporting car in 1991. The Healey was repatriated to the UK in 1993 and has remained in the same ownership ever since. It has been used for classic tours, and trips to the 24 Heures Le Mans and Classic Le Mans. The sporting car has been clearly well maintained during the current ownership, as evidenced in the numerous invoices dating back to 1993 contained within the history file. As well as regular maintenance, a part-floor / sill panel restoration and mechanical overhaul was carried out in 2012 to the cost of £3500 and the following year, £3600 was spent, again on mechanical work including a carburettor overhaul. In addition, the gearbox, overdrive, differential, propshaft, steering and braking system have also been overhauled. Further attention was paid to the carburettors in 2019. In the last couple of years, the vendor has had little time to enjoy the Healey and so has made the very reluctant decision to sell. It has been laid up for some time in dry garage storage but the vendor has carried out a recommissioning service before the auction sale. We understand that the fuel pump requires replacement and the brakes would benefit from dismantling and checking. In terms of its cosmetic condition, the red upholstery is original, the rear of the seats could be retrimmed and the carpets replaced. The hood and tonneau could be improved. The body and panel work and underside are all good. The paintwork is described as fair, with a few chips and some crazing on the bonnet, and is probably the subject of an older respray. Non standard accessories include a Kenlow fan, auxiliary lamps, a Maniflow exhaust, a lead free cylinder head (the original is supplied) and 1 inch carburettors. The 72 spoke wire wheels fitted are described as being in good order but the original 48 spoke set will be included in the sale. The brightwork as a whole may require some work, the rear bumper is included in the sale but not currently fitted. This history file contains many MOT test certificates dating from 1993, numerous invoices from the current ownership, documentation from the motor car's time in New Zealand, a reprint A-H parts list, several modern spare parts books, a reprint manual, a Haynes SU manual, DVLA correspondence, import information from 1993, a BMIHT dating certificate, three Australian registration documents from 1978, a photograph of the Healey competing, a Wellington registration document from 1982, a V5 document and the V5C registration certificate.
Thu 20th June 2024 from 12pm
Bridport
Chateau La Tour de By, Médoc 2017, Imperial (6L), OWC
Fri 7th June 2024 from 1pm
Bridport
A 9ct gold curb link bracelet with heart padlock, the links with floral chasing, gross weight 20.6g
Thu 6th June 2024 from 10am
Bridport
Thu 6th June 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A Royal Doulton Art Deco figurine, 'Sunshine Girl', model no. HN1348, designed by Leslie Harradine, stamped to base 'Potted by Doulton, 13cmH
Thu 9th May 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A 19th century diamond brooch, designed as a floral spray, with a variety of diamond cuts including old and rose cuts, set in silver with a gold backing and pin, the four largest diamonds totalling approx. 1.25cts (of which the largest central old cut diamond measures approx. 0.5cts), 3.9cm long, 5g
Thu 18th April 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A Victorian mahogany framed circular mirror, with carved ribbon cresting, 38x41cm
Fri 5th April 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A two coloured gold brooch set with a central citrine surrounded by leaves and flowers (af), 3.7cmL, 7g
Thu 4th April 2024 from 10am
Bridport
A George III mahogany dropleaf table, on square tapered legs joined by H stretcher, the drop leaves supported by lopers, 122x68x72cmH
Fri 1st March 2024 from 10am
Bridport
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