£16,275 for a Vase.

Southern Cross, Volume 13, Issue 16, 15 July 1905, Page 9

£16,275 for a Vase.

■ ♦ AN EXCITING SCENE AT CHRISTIE’S. RECORD PRICE FOR AN ART OBJECT. Never in the annals of Christie’s famous rooms has such a remarkable combat taken place as occurred yesterday (reports the London Mail of May 27 th) when a rock crystal biberon, mounted with enamelled gold, 12f in high and 16|in long, the property of Mr John Gabbitas, was offered for sale. For the past week there has been much discussion as to its authenticity, some going so far as to say that the catalogue was wrong in stating it to be Italian 16th century work, and that it was of much later manufacture. The British Museum authorities, however, pronounced it genuine. With trembling hands the porter placed the precious object on a desk beside him, while the auctioneer stated that the general impression was that it was German 16th century work, and suggested an opening bid of 5,000 guineas, which, however, was not forthcoming There was a pause, and then Mr Coureau, at the back of the rostrum, offered 500 guineas. There was a laugh, which, however, soon subsided as the price crept up, until Mr Chas Wertheimer, who had entered early into tbe fray, increased the price to 9,500 guineas. “ Ten thousand guineas,” sail Mr Duveen, amid applause. Mr Wertheimer nodded, and the price went up another 500 guineas. “ Eleven thousand guineas,’’ said his opponent. And so the bidding went on until 14,500 guineas was reached. Every face turned towards the top of the room, where, surrounded by his sons, stood Mr J. Duveen, the participator in so many duels at Christie’s rooms. Would he let it go P * Fifteen thousand guineas,’ he cried, as if in answer. Like an echo came the auctioneer’s cry of ‘ Fifteen thousand five hundred guineas,’ at which price Mr Duveen retired, leaving Mr Charles Wertheimer the possessor of the cup and the maker of the record auction price ever paid for a single object of art in an English sale room. This sale formed a fitting conclusion to the sale ot the collection of old English silver formed by the late Mr Louis Hubh, which preceded it, for which a total, of £18,424 10s was obtained. The sale of this collection, one of the most famous art collections that the hammer for many the King-street nine days, producing an ag|r#&e of £148,165.