‘The Steeple Times’ chooses five unusual objects that will prove to be conversation pieces in any home
This week sees Christie’s South Kensington auction a selection of “unconventional” items in their second annual Out of the Ordinary sale. With the help of them, Salvage Europe and Bonhams, here we choose five of the best conversation pieces currently available:
A stone bust recovered from an Irish castle – £1,200
Dating to the 18th century, this stone bust is for sale through Salvage Europe’s showroom at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club at Winkfield, near Windsor. A distinctive face that was most probably based upon a Viking raider, here is a bust that was recovered from an Irish castle. It, no doubt, has many a tale to tell.
A pair of French cast iron cherub lamp holders – £1,500
A wooden front door from the childhood home of Paul McCartney – Estimate: £6,000 to £8,000
The first lot in the Out of the Ordinary sale at Christie’s, this wooden door was removed from 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool, one of the childhood homes of Paul McCartney. It is painted olive green and features textured glass panes. The house itself is now owned by the National Trust and features a replica of the door.
A large Italian carved marble throne seat – Estimate: £15,000 to £20,000
152.5cm high, this large throne seat dates to circa 1900 and also features in this week’s Christie’s sale. The arms are modelled as zoomorphic beasts and the inside back centres on a mask surmounted by dolphins. Here is the perfect seat for any princess.
An earthenware bust of a minstrel – Estimate: £1,200 to £1,800
Available in the Bonhams 2nd September period design sale in Knightsbridge, this late 19th century Austrian ‘majolica’ and matt glazed bust of a bearded minstrel is 77cm high. It is described as being in the style of Pietro Calvi.
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The stone head has an amazing face. Love it. Wish I had somewhere to put it.