The Autumn Welsh Sale (Part II): Auctioneers' Choices

Many in Wales won’t have missed the media coverage recently regarding the 100th anniversary of the birth of Richard Burton (11 November 1925). We are delighted to be able to offer for sale the Astrakhan wool coat from the 1963 movie, The V.I.P.s, as worn by Burton in many of the scenes. Along with impeccable provenance, this is a rare opportunity to acquire an item of costume from THE Welsh icon of the silver screen.

I am a sucker for a good map, and few come better than from the hand of master-cartographer John Speed. As my father would say, ‘A proper antique’, it possesses wonderful details both within the main body and the delicate border of vignettes. An opportunity to purchase a stunning map whilst, in my opinion, the market is undervalued.

Here my pick is lot 303, the miniature silver gilt model of a coracle. I love the skill taken to make objects in miniature, and it doesn’t get a lot better than this. The quality is superb, as you would expect from the makers Garrard & Co., detail including the oar and what looks to be the ‘priest’, used to dispatch the fish, fastened to the seat.

The provenance too is impeccable, formerly owned by Princess Margaret and purchased for her private collection sold at Christies’ in 2006. Great lot.

They say that quality speaks volumes, well you’re going to need ear defenders for this one.

I've always had a soft spot for Nant-Garw porcelains ever since I discovered an exhibition quality plate in a tiny flat in Suffolk in the mid 1990s. At the time £5000 was a significant price, and I'm of the view that these porcelains are currently undervalued because the quality is outstanding.

The decoration, thought to be from the London atelier of Robins & Randall and possibly the work of Thomas Martin Randall shows exceptional skill and the gilding as always is of the highest quality.

It’s a piece that shouts out....don't worry we hear you!!

The last lot of 2025's Welsh Sale for me. Lot 470 is the colourful wooden roundel by the ever so clever Paul Peter Piech. It is carved with 'Love is Nature's Second Sun'. In this fractious world it says it all.

What are your favourite lots from The Autumn Welsh Sale (Part II)? View the full catalogue here.