International treasures strike it rich at Dorset auctions
Two auction house in Dorset enjoyed a day of international proportions yesterday, with an Italian plate, American totem pole and Egyptian coffin all fetching huge sums.
Leading the way by some distance was an Italiain Maiolica Istoriato charger from Urbino, bought for £460,000 within five minutes, a record for Charterhouse auctioneers.
Decorated with The Feast of Herod, it was found by auctioneer Richard Bromell hanging on a wire coathanger behind a door in Somerset.
Telephone bids from Switzland competed with interest from the floor of the saleroom in Sherborne.
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A delighted Mr Bromell said ‘”I knew it was a good piece but not sure how good, there has been worldwide interest in the piece, and I am very pleased.”
Down the road, at Duke’s of Dorchester, a rare Native American totem pole found in a farmhouse hallway sold for more than £22,000 – twice as much as expected.
And a rare Roman treasure that was used as a flower pot for the last 30 years was sold by Duke’s for £48,000. The marble coffin dating back to the first or second century AD
Its owner, who wishes to remain anonymous, had used the coffin as a garden trough at home in Northumberland.
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