Decorative Arts & Design Year in Review: 2024 Highlights

By: Emily Whittome

We’re pleased to share some of the exceptional results our Decorative Arts & Design department achieved in 2024.

We sincerely thank all of our consignors and bidders for choosing Waddington’s. As we enter our 175th year as Canada’s auction house, we look forward to continuing to work with you.

Certainly our most diverse department, Decorative Arts & Design specializes in bronzes, items of Canadian historical interest, ceramics, objets de vertu, porcelain, silver, devotional works of art, glass, lighting, mirrors, scientific instruments, militaria, travel and exploration maps, and fine rugs and carpets.

Below are a few highlights from 2024. We also invite you to browse prices realised from all our auctions.

Decorative Arts & Design

Moorcroft Hazeldene Large Vase, c.1903.
Price Realised: $9,375

A number of impressive silver pieces with fascinating histories were offered last year, starting with a splendid Hunt and Roskell Victorian Cast and Repoussé Silver Kettle, from 1868, which realised $8,610. You can read more about the kettle’s history here.

A Pair of Queen Anne Silver Tazzas was another highlight, fetching $16,250, more than double their high estimate.

The monumental Hopetoun Monteith, an important George II Scottish Silver Monteith Bowl from 1727, garnered much interest and a final price of $183,750. Read more about the bowl’s history and significance here.

Other highlights include a stunning Zsolnay Iridescent Red and Purple Glazed Bottle Vase, ca. 1900, which soared above its high estimate to reach a price realised of $49,550, almost seven times its high estimate.

A handsome Dirk van Erp Copper and Mica Table Lamp fetched double its high estimate to reach $10,000. A seven piece Sèvres Reticulated Double Walled Tête-à-Tête Tea Service from 1922-24 reached a price more than five times its high estimate and sold for $20,480.

Moorcroft pottery continues to attract collectors; this large Moorcroft Hazeldene Vase from 1903 climbed to more than four times its high estimate to reach a price realised of $9,375.

We also had the pleasure of bringing the William B.G. Humphries collection of exceptional English porcelain to auction in 2024, with proceeds benefiting Toronto’s Gardiner Museum. A pair of Bow Kakiemon Vases, ca. 1755, fetched a price of $8,125. Be sure to look out for the second instalment of this collection in March, 2025.

Cabinet of Curiosities

Our beloved Cabinet of Curiosities auctions feature intriguing lots that continue to surprise and delight collectors. In 2024, a Roman Marble Figure from the first century AD went above its high estimate to reach $21,760, and a Large Italian Marble Crucifix from the late 18th to early 19th century realised a price of $4,000.

Roman Marble Figure of a Youth, 1st century AD.
Price Realised: $21,760

Canadian Arts, Culture & History 

Our Canadian Arts, Culture & History auctions had numerous interesting and historically significant highlights, including five pieces of the Worcester Dinner Service made for Albert, Prince of Wales’ visit to Canada which realised $3,750, and Canadian Scenery, an illustrated book by William Henry Barlett (1809-1854) and Nathaniel Parker Willis (1806-1867) sold for $2,500.

ACHIEVE EXCEPTIONAL RESULTS: CONSIGN WITH US!

With 2025 underway, be sure to view our upcoming auctions and sign up for our emails so you don’t miss out.

As we plan for more exciting auctions we look forward to connecting with you to talk about consignment opportunities.

Our clients love working with us because of our transparent consignment process, the care and attention we show your valued pieces, and the industry-leading results we achieve. Whether you are looking to consign or learn more about selling at auction, please contact us to discuss how we can be of service.

Contact us at [email protected] to find out more.

 


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