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DESK MADE BY GREAT EXHIBITION AWARD WINNER TO BE SOLD AT AUCTION
JANUARY 17, 2012
A 19th century mahogany pedestal desk made by the award winning grandfather of the man who founded the famous Sopwith Aviation Company is expected to fetch around £1,500 when it goes under the hammer at a Shropshire fine art auction house next month.
The desk, made by Thomas Sopwith (1803–1879) of Sopwith and Co, Newcastle upon Tyne, has been consigned to Halls’ first antique furniture, ceramics and works of art auction at the Welsh Bridge saleroom in Shrewsbury on February 8.
“Thomas Sopwith, the son of a cabinetmaker, invented an ingenious type of desk that had all its drawers secured by a single lock, the monocleid, which won a prize at the 1851 Great Exhibition at the Crystal Palace, London,” said Andrew Beeston, senior auctioneer and valuer at Halls.
“His grandson, also called Thomas, founded the Sopwith Aviation Company.”
The desk has been consigned to the auction by a Shropshire vendor whose family is originally from Yorkshire.
Other interesting furniture lots include George III oak and mahogany chests and chests valued at around £1,500 each, a George III oak high dresser from South Shropshire at around £1,200 and a 17th century oak armchair, possibly of Welsh origin, valued at up to £500.
The longcase clocks section features 10 examples valued a between £300 and £600 by makers from Bangor, Shrewsbury, Pwllheli, Shifnal, Drayton and Skipton.
Unusual lots include a 19th century brass collar either for a dog or monkey, which is valued at up to £200, a 19th century whalebone and marine ivory walking stick at around £400 and a Black Forest carved wooden coat hook in the form of a hare, which incorporates a music box by C-Speiss and is expected to fetch around £500.
Picture caption: Sopwith pedestal desk
