AUCTIONEER Derek Biss promised a great couple of days as he opened proceedings at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s October antiques sale; and his assertion was realised as splendid prices were achieved across the board in the monthly sale and the biannual sporting sale, which followed.

The antiques sale started briskly with an excellent jewellery and watches section, which was keenly contested in the room, on line and by a number of phone lines. The high calibre items attracted intense interest.

Among the lots were a couple of fabulous pairs of diamond ear studs. One pair totalled a carat and was bought by a room bidder for £1,550. A second pair, which adorned the cover of the catalogue, were in a cluster design and were claimed by a phone line. The successful buyer paid £1,430.

Other highlights in this section included a nine-carat gold cigarette case, which had generated a lot of pre-sale interest. It was eventually secured by an on line bidder, who paid £2,030.

The appeal of the Rolex brand remains undiminished and a gentleman’s Rolex Oyster Perpetual along with its original guarantee from 1959 sold for a healthy £1,900.

It was also a timepiece that took top spot of the day. In this instance it was a rather heftier a George III/William IV eight-day longcase clock in a figured mahogany case. It sold for £3,345.

A buoyant furniture section with a number of interesting pieces drew pleasing prices. A beautiful Maple and Co kidney shaped desk with marquetry inlaid decoration was the star performer with no fewer than three phone lines plus commission bids all keen to take possession of this attractive piece. It was bought for £2,150.

A country house oak post box also delivered good money to its vendor. A phone bidder paid £1,315.

Of local interest was a Donyatt pottery puzzle jug dated 1795 and standing 21.5cms high, delightfully inscribed: “gift is small goodwill is all.” A net bidder paid £570 for this piece of local heritage.

A smart four-piece silver tea service by Mappin and Webb also went to an online bidder. The successful buyer paid £775. A room bidder paid the same sum for a three stone step cut diamond ring.

The next antiques sale takes place on Thursday, November 3. Items are now being accepted for this sale. If you would like more information please contact the saleroom on 01823 332525.