Carnival spirit in the Cotswolds

“PEACOCK and Urn”, “ Grape and Cable”, “Three Fruits”, “Frolicking Bears”, “Butterfly and Berry” and “Feathered Serpent” are the evocative names of the extensive range of colourful, lustre glassware, known as “Carnival” produced mainly in America at the end of the 19th and into the early 20th century.

The Cotswold Auction Company’s April Bankside sale at Cirencester saw shelves and shelves of this exuberant glass, all from the estate of the late Alan (John) Sedgwick of Gloucester.

He particularly sought out the rarer examples and his vast collection was amassed over decades.

This was amply illustrated by the number of bidders in the room who knew him of old and who had their own anecdotes “I remember bidding against Alan 20 or 30 years ago for this very piece”.

Part time dealer and full time enthusiast Alan Sedgwick had filled his house and numerous cabinets at the Gloucester Antiques Centre with carnival glass, pressed glass from the North of England, paperweights, German majolica, Doulton stoneware and majolica, not to mention Tiffany-style lamps and oriental porcelain.

Auctioneers Lindsey Braune and Liz Poole had anticipated the sale with some trepidation (especially in the light of Andy McConnell’s comments on the languishing market for carnival glass in BBC Antiques Roadshow the previous Sunday).

But in the event they were overwhelmed with interest in the sale, proving that there is still a very keen band of collectors for the unusual patterns and rarer colours.

There were buyers from the US, Scotland and the north-east of England competing with collectors and dealers from the south.

One large green carnival glass vase of tall flared dimpled design standing an impressive 47cm high realised £800, a Dugan black carnival bowl of shaped square form embossed with the ‘Butterfly and Tulip’ pattern realised £400, but it was the mixed general lots which attracted the keenest bidding, particularly a large quantity of marigold carnival glass including a rose bowl, pin dishes, punch bowl with cups, etc. and this came under the hammer at £1,900.

Similarly a mixed lot of marigold carnival glass including candlesticks and comports was bought for £550.

This was such a massive collection that another large consignment is to appear in the Cotswold Auction Company’s Cirencester Bankside sale to be held on May 16.

Still more is to come in June including glass paperweights by John Deacons and a large collection of oriental porcelain, while exuberant costume jewellery will be included in the August Cheltenham Vintage sale.

Auctioneer Lindsey Braune commented “This was an amazing collection, which started as soon as you were through the front door – every surface covered and even the hall was stacked high with glass and other objects. I think Alan Sedgwick could reasonably be described as a hoarder - there was virtually no carpet to be seen!”.

In the end over 100 packing crates were delivered to the salerooms in Cirencester.

The May 16 sale is now online and can be viewed at the saleroom on Saturday, May 13, 10am to 1pm and Monday, May 15, 10am to 7pm.

For further information please see cotswoldauction.co.uk or speak to the auctioneers on 01285-642420.