The clocks were consigned by the families of two separate collectors from Cheshire and North Wales.

And they raised some of the highest prices in a two-day auction at Peter Wilson fine art auctioneers on Market Street.

Most valuable was a 17th century and later ebony veneered striking and repeating bracket clock which overturned an estimate of £4,500-5,500 to sell for £6,600.

Close behind at £5,400 was another similar clock, the basket top decorated with neo-classical portrait medallions of Britannia, William of Orange and Queen Mary.

A Cheshire collector paid £2,800 for an ebony veneered striking bracket clock from 1690, the apocryphal nameplate inscribed “Thos Tompion, London”.

Another feature of the sale was an impressive single-owner collection of modern contemporary glass which, as auctioneer Robert Stones described, produced an online bidding war among collectors abroad and at home.

The collection of 42 lots sold for a total of £18,000.

In ceramics, one of the earliest pieces of Delftware sold in the Nantwich saleroom, dated 1651, produced the top price in the sale when it was secured by a dealer for a resounding £16,500.

High prices were also recorded among jewellery. Top lot was a single stone diamond ring, the brilliant cut 2.9ct stone set Tiffany style in 18ct gold sold for an above top estimate £6,600.

Entries are now invited for Peter Wilson’s next two-day sale of fine art and antiques, which is on July 10-11 and for the weekly Gallery Sales held on most Thursdays.

For details contact the auctioneer on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

For this 7ft “Pinhead” monster, made famous by the hugely successful “Hellraiser” films, is to go on auction in the town.

And Robert Stones, of Peter Wilson auctioneers in Market Street, wanted to get up and close and personal with one of the strangest objects they’ve ever had go under the hammer.

The creation will be sold as part of an art and antiques two-day event at the Cheshire saleroom on May 1-2.
Fans of “Hellraiser” will recognise the steely monster as the evil leader of the Cenobites, formerly human
creatures from an extra-dimensional realm, who travel to Earth to harvest human souls.

However, this heavy metal version is an earthly creation – made entirely from welded car parts.

And it’s made a short journey to the Nantwich auction house from Macclesfield, where a collector had acquired him from a friend six years ago.

Now Pinhead is to start a new chapter in his life as companion to another collector happy to take him home.

It is estimated he will be sold for around £3,000 … and an oil can!

Anyone interested can contact Robert at Peter Wilson auctioneers on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

Robert Stones, principal of fine art and antiques auctioneers Peter Wilson, is involved with a consortium of UK firms involved in staging the event at Xiamen Freeport.

The ground-breaking sale has been organised by the Association of Accredited Auctioneers (Triple-A) of which Peter Wilson Auctioneers is a founder member.

Mr Stones has played a key role in organising and underwriting the sale, which will take place on April 21.

“This is an unrivalled opportunity to introduce Western art and antiques to Chinese collectors,” Mr Stones said.

“We know there is an appetite for continental furniture, clocks and watches and English antiques in the Far East.

“We hope that by staging this sale, we will attract even more buyers to our UK auctions and widen the variety of Western art they might consider buying and collecting.

“Chinese buyers already make up an enormous part of the market with a lot of money to spend on Asian and now increasingly Western antiques – and we want to tap into that further.”

Triple-A brings together 21 regional auctioneers from around the country and aims to provide a channel for Chinese buyers to access the UK auction market.

The event will be held at the auction house’s Victoria Gallery on Market Street, Nantwich.

Money raised from the event on April 24 will go towards museum funds.

Guests will have a chance to view the fine art and antiques on display.

Robert Stones, managing partner at Peter Wilson’s, will give a talk on his visit to China presenting a Fine Art Auction in Xiamen Free Port.

This will be followed by supper and more viewing of items on display in the gallery.

Doors open at 6.30pm for a 7pm start.

Tickets cost £15 per person including supper and are only available from the reception desk at the museum.

Email enquiries@nantwichmuseum.org.uk, call 01270 627104, visit www.nantwichmuseum.org.uk

The Naval General Service Medal 1793 -1840, awarded to Thomas Durnell, goes under the hammer at Peter Wilson on Market Street.

The medal (left side of picture) has clasps for Java and Basque Roads as well as Trafalgar, indicating Durnell served in three of the most notable naval campaigns in the Napoleonic Wars.

During the Battle of Trafalgar on October 21, 1805, Private Durnell was on board “The Temeraire”, the second ship in Horatio Nelson’s column behind his flagship HMS Victory.

The Temeraire was the first ship to break through the Franco-Spanish lines during the battle and was subjected to heavy fighting with six ships.

Durnell and his comrades fought French ships to a standstill but at considerable cost, as 47 were killed and 76 wounded. The French losses were 300 killed, 222 wounded.

Other medals are due to be sold at the auction on February 20-21.

These include a Distinguished Flying Medal group of five awarded to Sgt John Ashton, who fought in the Second World War, estimated to be sold for £1,500-£2,000.

And dating from the First World War, a group of medals (right of picture) and related items belonging to local man Sgt J.S. Hassall RAF.

This collection comprises the British War Medal 1914-20 and Victory Medal, an Observers’ wing patch, a sterling silver sweetheart broach, portraits of Hassall and his wife dated 1918, stamped by studio photographer Hart of Nantwich, each contained in frames made from propeller wings, and a framed photo of Hassall with his squadron sitting in front of a De Havilland DH4.

Viewing is on Sunday February 17 (2-4pm), Monday February 18 (10am-5pm), Tuesday February 19 (10am-4pm) and on morning of the auction each day from 9am to 11am.

For details contact Chris Large on 01270 623878.

Neil Olsson has spent the four months calling UK businesses to donate for a charity auction planned for January 25.

As well as the auction, local band Vavoom will be performing with support from a dance group Xcell.

Former Everton footballer Kevin Sheedy, who battled with the life threatening disease, will be guest speaker.

Peter Wilson, auctioneers of Nantwich, will be auctioning over 15 items, ranging from a signed Manchester United shirt and football memorabilia, champagne afternoon tea at Rookery Hall and light aircraft flight around Cheshire.

Neil, 27, has gained support from national companies like Wagamama, Domino’s Pizza and Genting Casinos and raised gifts from local businesses in Crewe and Nantwich to be raffled on the night.

He said: “I am completely overwhelmed with the response I’ve had and very honoured that Kevin Sheedy is giving up his own time to briefly talk about his experience.

“I have been given gifts from bottles of expensive wines, to Casino booths for 10, sports physiotherapy sessions and meals out. I think there will be something for everyone on the night.”

Neil’s girlfriend Nicole Cunningham said: “We will be there on the night to support Neil, he has done brilliantly. I am extremely proud of his continued motivation to promote the charity, the enthusiasm he has is infectious.”

The event will be held at Nantwich Town FC’s Weaver Stadium on January 25, doors opening at 7.30pm.

There are 120 tickets available which can be picked up from the Boot and Shoe pub in Nantwich, or from Neil.

Tickets are £12.50 each, with buffet included on the night. All proceeds will go to Cancer Research UK Crewe and Nantwich Committee.

For more details about the charity event, email neil.olsson@hotmail.co.uk or 07803 841128.

The ring (pictured), flanked by four diamonds in 18ct yellow gold, was auctioned at Peter Wilson on Market Street.

The item, dating from 1994, was the biggest seller and had been sent for sale from the Isle of Man.

It was one of many items of jewellery that sold for thousands of pounds as bidders battled it out in person and on the phone at the Nantwich sale.

A diamond cluster ring set with a yellow stone weighing just over one carat sold for £4,500.

And a tanzanite and diamond ring  surrounded by brilliant cut diamonds on cross-over shoulders, set in 18ct white gold, sold for £2,300.

A pair of French 18ct white gold and diamond pendant earrings sold for £3,000.

Also in the sale was weaponry and militaria.

One stand-out feature was a collection of clocks, consigned by the widow of a North Wales collector, which sold for £35,000.

TV antiques personality David Dickinson and his Real Deal film crew will be at Peter Wilson’s Gallery Sale of antiques and collectors’ items in Nanrtwich on January 19.

Entries are invited for this and the next two-day sale of fine art and antiques sale on February 15-16.

For details contact the auctioneer on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

The auctioneers, with a combined annual turnover topping £200 million, have become founder members of the Association of Accredited Auctioneers.

Triple-A’s goal is to attract Chinese buyers to sales using a system that guarantees payment for lots sold.

Peter Wilson LLP, based on Market Street, Nantwich, is the only Triple-A member auction house in Cheshire.

Managing partner Robert Stones said: “China has been an increasingly important market for UK auctioneers.

“It has become clear during recent months China’s increasingly affluent middle classes are looking to the West in the evolution of their collecting and decorating tastes.

“They are searching not just for their own heritage, but also embracing the broad spectrum of Western antiques and fine art for their homes.”

Triple-A has now forged links with Asia’s only online live bidding portal www.epailive.com.

This service promotes Triple-A auctioneers’ sales directly to more than 100,000 registered collectors of fine art and antiques in China and posts catalogues translated into Chinese online.

Bidders are contractually required to commit funds to cover their purchases. This money is accessible to the auctioneer following the sale within 48 hours of the fall of the hammer.

Paul Viney, chairman of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers and Valuers (SOFAA), added: “I welcome any initiative that can help us promote and develop our business links with the Chinese.

“Triple-A will be making a presentation at the next SOFAA committee meeting in December and we look forward to hearing more about their plans.”

For details contact Peter Wilson auctioneers on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

The iconic piece of wreckage is from the US plane which crash-landed close to houses on Shrewbridge Road.

American pilot Arthur L. Brown, who steered it away from homes that day, is honoured every year for his act on January 14, 1944.

Wreaths of poppies are laid at the memorial to the 23-year-old U.S. Army Air Force Lieutenant on the banks of the river.

His Republic P-47D Thunderbolt, flown from New York, crashed and sank into quicksand after developing engine trouble.

Rather than bail out, Brown stayed at the controls to avoid plunging into the town centre and saving countless lives.

His body nor the main structure of the plane was ever recovered.

But among the small amount of wreckage found at the scene was a valve rocker arm from the plane’s engine.

Harold Forster, then living in Station View, kept the item and it has remained in Mr Forster’s family until now.

Peter Wilson auctioneer Chris Large said: “The story of how an American pilot deliberately steered his stricken plane away from town has intrigued me ever since I was a young boy.

“I thought it was terribly sad this young man should lose his life like that and his body be so far from his home.

“My father and I visit the memorial every year, usually on Christmas Day, to pay our respects and it is very moving when wreaths are laid on Remembrance Sunday.

“Whilst I have read about the incident, I would love to meet anyone who knows more about what happened that day. I remain fascinated by the story and would love to learn more about it.”

The relic is a piece of metal less than six inches long, stamped ‘Made in USA’ and came from the plane’s Pratt & Whitney R-2800 double wasp engine.

Auctioneers expect it to sell for around £100.

“But its significance is far greater than its monetary value,” Chris added.

Peter Wilson’s two-day sale of fine art antiques takes place on Wednesday and Thursday November 14-15.

Viewing is on Sunday November 11 (2-4pm); Monday November 12 (10am-5pm); Tuesday November 13 (10am-4pm) and on the morning of auction days, 9am-11am.

For details contact Chris Large on 01270 623878.

The old instruments raised almost £30,000 when sold at Peter Wilson auctioneers, on Market Street.

Auctioneer Chris Large, who plays double bass in a dance band, said: “The two violins and three saxophones were the Manchester man’s working instruments and they showed the signs of it.

“They had not been used for many years and indeed the saxophones were brought in wrapped in newspaper with headlines about the Vietnam War.

“But particularly the violins were fine pieces by important makers and they created huge interest.”

The more valuable violin had a label dated 1956 and signed in pen for “Vittorio Bellarosa Via Michele Cammarano No10″.

It sold for £14,500 against an estimate of £3,000-4,000. It is believed the price is an auction record for a Bellarosa violin.

It was bought by a buyer in the room who beat off competition from multiple phone and internet bidders.

The other violin was by Manchester maker Thomas Earle Hesketh (1866-1945), which sold to a trade buyer for £3,800, the same buyer paying £9,400 for a violin bow by the important Paris makerEugène Sartory (1871-1946).

Entries are now invited for Peter Wilson’s next sale of fine art and antiques, on November 7-8, and for the weekly gallery sales held every Thursday.

For details contact the auctioneer on 01270 623878 auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

Leading Manchester artist Geoffrey Key is selling a host of tribal “Yoruba” art at the Peter Wilson sale because of a house move.

The Yoruba are an ancient race making up one of the largest ethnic groups in West Africa.

Their craftsmen are noted for their artistic traditions of ceramics, bronze casting, weaving and sculpting, while Yoruba wood carvers are among the most prolific producers of objects for domestic and ritual use.

Called Ere ibeji, these six to 10 inch high figures are carved with the features and attributes of children who died and were cared for as if the child was still alive.

Key started collecting the figures 30 years ago.

Private collections of ibeji figures as large as his are rare, the only other of comparable size being in New York.

“They are exquisite things,” he said. “I shall be sorry to see them go but you cannotpossess everything in life. Moving house means it’s time to let someone else have the pleasure of enjoying them.”

The collection will be sold at Peter Wilson’s Nantwich auction room, Market Street, on July 11-12.

They can viewed at Victoria Gallery, Market Street on Monday July 9 from 10am-5pm; Tuesday July 10 from 10am-4pm and the morning of the sale from 9am. The sale starts at 11am.

For details contact Stephen Sparrow on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk

It was feared the Naval General Service Medal with Trafalgar clasp, awarded to James Sharman, would never come on the market again.

An attempt to sell it in an internet auction went sour, but now it has resurfaced and will be offered by Nantwich fine art auctioneers Peter Wilson on July 11-12.

In 2008, a hoaxer used a fake ID in the internet auction and then disappeared, forcing the sale to be aborted.

But before the collapse of the eBay sale, a collector had contacted the seller with an offer too good to refuse.

Now the collector is selling it once more.

“I’ve had the great pleasure owing it for the last four years,” he said.

“But now I’ve decided to put it back on the market so another collector – or perhaps a museum – can have the pleasure of enjoying it.”

Sharman is one of only a few men whose heroics on HMS Victory were recorded specifically.

Not only did he apparently tend to the dying Nelson but he was so well regarded that when a memorial to Nelson was built in Great Yarmouth, Nelson’s best friend, Captain Masterman Hardy recommended him as its first custodian.

He was also the inspiration for the Charles Dickens character Ham Peggotty in David Copperfield, forever immortalising a Trafalgar survivor in English literature.

The medal can be seen before sale at the auctioneers in Market Street, Nantwich, on Sunday July 8 from 2-4pm, Monday July 9 from 10am-5pm andTuesday July 10 from 10am-4pm.

For further information contact Chris Large on 01270 623878 or auctions@peterwilson.co.uk