You Never Know What Will Come Through the Door

One of the great pleasures of working in an auction room is that you never quite know what is going to come through the door next.

As we begin building our September auctions, that has certainly been the case at Plymouth Auction Rooms, with an extraordinarily varied selection of objects already arriving for sale.

One of the latest is a striking 19th century French champlevé and gilt mantel clock by the celebrated makers Japy Frères. Richly decorated with coloured enamels, gilding and classical figures, it is a wonderful example of the elaborate decorative work produced in France during the period.

At quite the other end of the collecting spectrum is an unusual collection of 37 Malmark handbells, spanning three octaves from C4 to C7. Bought during the early 1990s, they were used by a Scottish handbell group known as The Peaton Peelers and have been carefully maintained and regularly played. Offered complete in their fitted cases, the collection comes to auction with a price guide of £7,000 upwards.

Then there are the objects that need little introduction. Our September Fine Jewellery & Watches auction already includes a vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Submariner, reference 5513, together with an impressive Art Deco-style cocktail ring set with large rectangular-cut aquamarine and topaz stones and diamonds.

Ceramics are represented too, including pieces by Hannah Barlow, whose distinctive incised decoration made her one of the best-known artists associated with the Doulton Lambeth factory.

A French clock, 37 handbells, a vintage Submariner, studio ceramics and fine jewellery may appear to have very little in common, but that is precisely the attraction of an auction room. Collections are never quite the same twice, and sometimes the most interesting discoveries are the things you weren't expecting to find.

Our Antiques, Silver & Collectables Auction takes place on 22 September, followed by Fine Jewellery & Watches on 30 September.

Further entries are currently invited.

Captions.

Malmark handbells
37 bells • expected to sell for £7,000 plus.

Aquamarine & topaz cocktail ring
30 September

Rolex Submariner ref. 5513
30 September

19th century French champlevé clock
Japy Frères