Five of the Best: Conversation pieces

September 1, 2014

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‘The Steeple Times’ chooses five unusual objects that will prove to be conversation pieces in any home

This week sees Christie’s South Kensington auction a selection of “unconventional” items in their second annual Out of the Ordinary sale. With the help of them, Salvage Europe and Bonhams, here we choose five of the best conversation pieces currently available:

A stone bust recovered from an Irish castle – £1,200

Dating to the 18^th century, this stone bust is for sale through Salvage Europe’s showroom at The Royal County of Berkshire Polo Club at Winkfield, near Windsor. A distinctive face that was most probably based upon a Viking raider, here is a bust that was recovered from an Irish castle. It, no doubt, has many a tale to tell.

A pair of French cast iron cherub lamp holders – £1,500

These French cast iron cherub lamp holders date to circa 1880 and were recovered from a church. They measure 55cm by 35cm and are also for sale through the Salvage Europe showroom.

A wooden front door from the childhood home of Paul McCartney – Estimate: £6,000 to £8,000

The first lot in the Out of the Ordinary sale at Christie’s, this wooden door was removed from 20 Forthlin Road in Allerton, Liverpool, one of the childhood homes of Paul McCartney. It is painted olive green and features textured glass panes. The house itself is now owned by the National Trust and features a replica of the door.

A large Italian carved marble throne seat – Estimate: £15,000 to £20,000

152.5cm high, this large throne seat dates to circa 1900 and also features in this week’s Christie’s sale. The arms are modelled as zoomorphic beasts and the inside back centres on a mask surmounted by dolphins. Here is the perfect seat for any princess.

An earthenware bust of a minstrel – Estimate: £1,200 to £1,800

Available in the Bonhams 2^nd September period design sale in Knightsbridge, this late 19^th century Austrian ‘majolica’ and matt glazed bust of a bearded minstrel is 77cm high. It is described as being in the style of Pietro Calvi.