White elephant sold for $45 at auction
A white elephant brought $45 at a fine-art and antique auction in Christchurch last evening. It was the genuine article — in china. A bronze elephant was sold for $37.50. About 200 were at the auction, held at the Winter Garden, to bid for 280 lots. A wide range of furniture, china, brassware, jewellery, and paintings was offered. The auctioneer (Mr Kent Prier) estimated that the articles auctioned were worth $60,000. A Royal Worcester porcelain alone was worth $25,000, he said. Collectors were out in ■ force, and bidding rose as
they sought the name pieces of china and period furniture. An early Victorian 100 table was sold for $l2OO, and 1 walnut chairs of the same ■ period brought $250 each. Royal Doulton and Royal ■ Worcester china was also in ■ demand. A sin vase signed by Harry Ayrton was sold for $550. Bidding at the start of the auction was “ridiculously low,” said one buyer. The first item, a 1911 Doubtful ledger, bound in leather, w’as sold for only $5. Most buyers were content to sit back for the more exclusive lots. Many people wer happy just to watch.
Permanent link to this item
https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/CHP19760820.2.44
Bibliographic details
Press, 20 August 1976, Page 4
Word Count
194White elephant sold for $45 at auction Press, 20 August 1976, Page 4
Using This Item
Stuff Ltd is the copyright owner for the Press. You can reproduce in-copyright material from this newspaper for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons BY-NC-SA 3.0 New Zealand licence. This newspaper is not available for commercial use without the consent of Stuff Ltd. For advice on reproduction of out-of-copyright material from this newspaper, please refer to the Copyright guide.
Copyright in all Footrot Flats cartoons is owned by Diogenes Designs Ltd. The National Library has been granted permission to digitise these cartoons and make them available online as part of this digitised version of the Press. You can search, browse, and print Footrot Flats cartoons for research and personal study only. Permission must be obtained from Diogenes Designs Ltd for any other use.
Acknowledgements
This newspaper was digitised in partnership with Christchurch City Libraries.