A VINTAGE Oriental silver tea service stole the show at Greenslade Taylor Hunt’s September antiques sale in Taunton.

Prior to the auction all the buzz had been about a Scottish Colourist School painting, which had generated plenty of pre-sale fervour with more than 100 people viewing it online.

However, on auction day this interest was eclipsed by spirited bidding for the tea service which sold to a hammer price of £4,000.

The service comprised a coffee and teapot, lidded sugar bowl and jug, embossed with bamboo, blossoms, Asian figures, symbols and dragons. It was stamped Hung C Nong & Co and had also produced pre-sale interest.

The early 20th Century portrait of a lady in a hat and spotted scarf sold for £2,000. This oil on canvas was unsigned but resembled work by renowned Scottish artist John Duncan Fergusson (1871-1961).

A signed and dated still life with flowers by the Russian painter Nadia Benois (1896-1974) went for £1,200, while a watercolour by Sir William Russell Flint made £600.

The attractive jewellery section drew a number of notable prices including £850 for a platinum and estate diamond cluster ring, which sold for £850.

A beautiful Victorian demantoid and pearl starburst, 15ct gold necklace, which can be converted into a brooch, went for £750 and a 9ct gold curb link bracelet made £700.

In the quarterly collectors’ sale, which followed the monthly auction a selection of Far East photos from around 1933 proved the best seller. Featuring views of Hong Kong, Shanghai and Singapore among others this sold for £1,000.

Portrait photographs of royalty, nobility and celebrity, including Queen Victoria and Prince Albert and Queen Victoria and her Ghillie John Brown made £550.

Entries are now invited for the next sale which takes place on Thursday, October 5, at 10am at The Octagon Salerooms, East Reach, Taunton. More details from the auctioneers on 01823 332525.