Rising interest in the saleroom matched the soaring temperature outside when the latest Antique and Collectors Sale was held at Gildings, Market Harborough.

There was brisk bidding and great enthusiasm from collectors and dealers alike when auctioneers John and Mark Gilding were on the rostrum for the widely varied range of items. Well over 700 lots came under the hammer on the day.

A Victorian burr-walnut collectors specimen cabinet (Lot 733) fetched the top price of £920 – with rosewood and ebony banding, double-hinged top enclosing a glazed interior above a slide and 2 drawers. It had moulded legs and the locks were stamped Hobbs & Co, London.

Lot 733	Lot 709	Lot 657

Other furniture also attracted good prices. A large Victorian pine kitchen table (Lot 709) made £640 – with rectangular bordered top, turned legs joined by stretchers; an Arts and Crafts oak desk (Lot 657) £310 – with rectangular top, 6 drawers, on tapering legs, parquetry and stylised inlay throughout; a Victorian mahogany bookcase (Lot 604) £300 – bookcase at the top with a moulded cornice, a plain frieze, glazed doors enclosing shelves, the plinth base with a rectangular top above 2 frieze drawers and panelled cupboards.

Lot 604	Lot 718	Lot 708

A joined oak coffer (Lot 718) realised £280 – 3 panelled lid and front, carved decoration, 18th century and later; a mahogany dining suite (Lot 708) made a similar price – comprising a 2 pedestal table with a rectangular top and rounded corners, with an extra leaf, and a set of 6 George III style dining chairs, vase splats, drop-in seats and moulded legs – by British Antique Replicas; and a Victorian oak settle (Lot 680) £260 – the back carved with a monk and a soldier, bordered seat.

Lot 680	Lot 222	Lot 724

Lot 222 – a glass decanter containing Denis Mounie Cognac 1906 in a fitted box and 1 bottle of Cointreau created great interest and sold for £800; a leopard skin rug with taxidermy head (Lot 724) made £760, together with a similar item; and a leather and chainmail mask (Lot 302) £440, with 2 pairs of flying goggles.

Lot 302	Lot 57	Lot 46

A white metal canteen 12-place setting "Gadroonette" (Lot 57) fetched £550 – with engraved initial C marked Sterling, all in a fitted wooden box; a German silver stand (Lot 46) £500 – cast and scrolled decoration on pierced feet, with 2 cut glass jars and 2 similar stands; and Lot 743 £520 – a Victorian corner wall clock, ebonised and painted case, circular dial with enamelled Roman numerals, 8-day movement.

Lot 743	Lot 272	Lot 193

An old percussion cap pistol (Lot 272) sold for £420 – stamped number 421, together with a flintlock pistol and a vintage leather case; a quantity of antiquarian books, mostly with decorative leather bindings (Lot 193) together made £380, including Bisset’s George III, Sully’s Works, etc, in 2 boxes; and a pair of Victorian pink opaque glass lustres (Lot 96) £380, gilt and coloured enamels decorated with flowers, lacking droplets, with a similar lustre.

Lot 96	Lot 729	Lot 728

A bronzed model of a conquistador horse on a marble base (Lot 729) fetched £300; and a bronzed model of a standing nude Diana (Lot 728) £260, with a fawn at her feet; an 18th century mortar (Lot 49) £280, probably elm, square form with carved decoration initialled and dated 1719; a resin cross (Lot 29) realised a similar amount – £280 – an eastern bird’s skull with applied carved panel – with other objects.

Lot 49	Lot 29	Lot 31

In pottery, a Carlton ware pedestal basket (Lot 31) realised £300, of rectangular form with twin handles, painted with stylised flowers in brightly coloured enamels with a lustred glaze; and a large Japanese Imari dish (Lot 83) £280, of hexagonal form, painted with flowers and birds in colours.

Lot 83	Lot 181	Lot 479

Various cine cameras and other accessories (Lot 181) fetched £300 – a large quantity; a painting by local artist Reg Cartwright (Lot 479) of tractor driver Wayne, oil on canvas £260 – signed, dated ’89; with £260 also paid for a Victorian mantle garniture (Lot 655), marble with spelter mounts, comprising clock with circular dial with Arabic numerals, cylinder movement, and 2 urns.

	Lot 655