‘Lilliput’ sale of antiques

Press, 9 July 1980, Page 6

‘Lilliput’ sale of antiques

A "Lilliput” auction of ; miniature antiques, probably [the first of its kind, will be I held in Christchurch today.. I. The auction is the idea-'of [Mr R. G. Bell, and will be I held in his Gallery Two in I Gloucester Street. I Mr Bell said yesterdayI that ' in normal auctions, miniature pieces seemed to get lost behind the larger ones, and did not get the attention they deserved. He said people had shown much interest when his own collection of miniatures had been exhibited at the gallery; this had given him the idea for the “Lilliput” auc- j tion. I The pieces to be auctioned range from a 66-piece dolls’ tea set — which includes plates, cups, a gravy Coat, serviettes, and serviette rings — to a lead fox-terrier figurine which is one centimetre tall. An unusual wooden “snuff mull” (a snuff container) carved in the shapj of a Wellington boot should create a good deal of interest. The “snuff mull” still

contains remains of the original snuff. . . A crystal-stem wine glass‘ etched with “A.l Hotel” will] also be auctioned. The A.l; was a hotel in Colombo! Street in the 1850 s. Mr. Bell’s favourite piece is a tiny gold pencil, seti with turquoise, which is still : complete with lead and ini good writing condition The auction will start at noon. Proceeds from the; sale of miniature catalogues will be given to the Heart Foun-) dation and the Cancer Research Institute. [