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| Photograph © Alison Snowdon |
Our speaker was auctioneer and valuer, Alison Snowdon, who told us about her life on the auction floor. Alison first became interested in antiques as a child when she lived in London and often visited museums and art galleries as her interest grew. She is now based at a small, local salesroom in Stourbridge and is passionate about her work.
Her enthusiasm showed as she shared her stories about some of her finds. It was rather like having our own Antiques Road Show as she explained how fashions change, which inevitably alters the value of certain items; Lalique glassware, Rolex watches and certain toys in their original boxes still hold their value, yet Royal Doulton figurines, Imari-ware and solid wooden brown furniture are currently worth very little. Lowry paintings are renowned for their fakery but if there is provenance which can be proven, their value obviously rises - a small Lowry sketch in a note book recently sold for £26,000.
Alison told of the excitement in the auction room before a sale as no one really knows how the punters will bid. Of course, the internet has changed things dramatically, as people now have instant access to information and online bidding.
Alison told of the excitement in the auction room before a sale as no one really knows how the punters will bid. Of course, the internet has changed things dramatically, as people now have instant access to information and online bidding.
We were all interested to hear how many items have been bought cheaply at car boot sales and then found to be worth far more once they have been cleaned up. Alison's best finds were two sauce boats, made in 1746 (pictured above), which were found in the back of a cabinet covered in dust and dirt and fetched £34,000 at auction. She was thrilled with these and so were we, as we shared her enthusiasm. We all vowed that we would look in our attics, cupboards and drawers as we must have something of value hidden somewhere!
