Oak furniture goes under the hammer in Shrewsbury
An auction of oak and vernacular furniture and clocks has attracted international interest.
Historic artefacts from a 16th century house in Sheriffhales, near Shifnal, will go under auction at Halls in Shrewsbury.
The oak furniture from The Manor, mainly dating from the 17th century, has been collected over the past 25 years by the owners, who are now downsizing.
The Manor was the first of the non-conformist academies established by John Woodhouse, following the closure of Universities to Dissenters in 1662 after the Reformation.
The collection of oak furniture, which Halls' includes a late 17th or early 18th century north country oak dresser base, has been valued up to £7,000.
Andrew Beeston, senior auctioneer and valuer, said: "The dresser base was bought, along with The Manor, by the current owners around 25 years ago and is reputed to have been there since the mid-19th century.
"The collection also includes an unusual panelled livery cupboard dating to 1682, which is valued at up to £6,000 and a collection of 17th century coffers and settles."
Three pieces of oak furniture from a south Shropshire vendor are also expected to fetch around £8,000.
A George III oak clothes press of small proportions, which features in Richard Bebb's book, Welsh Furniture 1250-1950, A Cultural History of Craftsmanship and Design volume II, is valued at up to £3,000.
Two further pieces include a George III oak cwpwrdd deuddarn (BOTH CORR) and a 17th century two plank refectory table, valued at up to £2,500 each.
Similar examples of both feature in Bebb's book, with all three pieces believed to originate in Carmarthenshire, Cardiganshire and Brecknock.
A potential individual star lot will be a mid-19th century French gilt bronze figural mantel clock by E. Vittoz and cast by E. De Labroue, Paris, which is valued at around £15,000 and is appealing to Asian art buyers.
The auction will also feature 47 clocks, with makers from Shropshire, Wales, Poole and Ormskirk.
The sale will take place on September 10. For further information visit www.hallsgb.com/fine-art or call 01743 450700.
