Quirky items up for auction in Shrewsbury

The collections will go under the hammer at Halls Fine Art’s Asian Art auction in Shrewsbury.

“A couple collected the snuff bottles and netsuke over a long period but the husband has now passed away,” explained Alexander Clement, Halls Fine Art’s Asian art specialist. “His widow has kept some of her favourite pieces but decided to part with the rest because they were being kept in boxes.

“They are both interesting collections which will attract a lot of attention from potential buyers.”

The Chinese snuff bottles are being sold in 43 lots, most groups, with estimates of up to £500, while the Japanese netsuke extend to 40 group lots with estimates of up to £180.

Potential stars of the auction include at a Chinese carved celadon glazed Ruyi vase and cover with the Qianlong seal mark, which is expected to make up to £7,000 for a West Midlands vendor.

A finely painted 18th century Chinese famille rose fish bowl from a South Shropshire vendor is another lot to watch out for with an estimate of up to £5,000.

Valued at up to £2,000 each are a pear-shaped Chinese Dayazhai porcelain bottle vase decorated with birds from a South Shropshire vendor, a 19th century Chinese famille rose figure of Guanyin from the Qing Dynasty and a Tang Dynasty Chinese Lushan phosphatic splash-glazed ewer from a London collector.

For those seeking a special place to rest their weary head, Halls Fine Art has two stylish Chinese beds on offer. A carved hardwood marriage bed from late Qing Dynasty, enclosed within a canopy, carries an estimate of up to £4,000 while another canopied 20th century carved hardwood opium bed is valued at around £1,000.

From different parts of the world, a 17th century Tibetan painted wood ‘dragon’ chest carries an estimate of up to £3,500, while a late 19th century Syrian, rectangular walnut marquetry centre table could fetch up to £3,000.

The auction catalogue may be viewed online at https://fineart.hallsgb.com/ .