It was a vibrant history picture which won out at The Cotswold Auction Company’s recent specialist pictures sale at the Bankside Saleroom in Cirencester.

Robert Hillingford (1826-1904) is well-known for both historical subjects, including The Duke of Wellington and Napoleon, as well as scenes taken from Shakespearian plays.

This particular oil, “Triumphant Reception,” showed Napoleon arriving on horseback in a fortified courtyard, greeted by a military band and soldiers.

In the event it soared past its modest estimate in the mid-hundreds to realise the top price in the sale at £1,750.

From the same estate came a handsome half-length portrait of a Georgian gentleman in striking red jacket, who also sparked strong competition, realising £1,350 against a pre-sale estimate of £500-£800.

Also amongst the oils, another very traditional picture by Charles Jones (1836-1892), a study of sheep on a hillside sold well at £900, while a pair of oils by James Meadow Senior, seascapes with sailing vessels, found a ready buyer at £750.

The top price amongst the watercolours was a typical work by John Varley, which had been given a conservative estimate because of its rather foxed condition, but which nevertheless raced past it to reach £1,150.

The popular artist John Linnell (1792-1882) sold just on estimate at £550, while an oil on board, still life of a bird’s nest with honeysuckle and blossom branches by the popular Anne Cotterill left the room at £450.

Also from the 20th century was a striking oil on board by Anthony R Cooke “Houseboats at Shoreham” dated 1958 and which realised above estimate £420.

The top price in the furniture section went to a Victorian burr walnut serpentine-fronted credenza with satinwood crossbanding, reaching a respectable £1,000, while a delightful antique Chinese two-door lacquered wood marriage chest, profusely decorated, was contested to £600.

Mid-20th century furniture continues to sail out of the saleroom and in this auction there was much competition for an early 1970’s Heals rosewood bedroom suite of four variously sized chests of drawers, which came under the hammer at £550, while a Bruno Mathsson “Jetson” chair for DUX in button upholstered black leather made £380.

One unexpected high-flyer in the ceramics section was a most attractive Grainger & Co Worcester porcelain early morning tea service for two persons, fruit and flower decorated on a turquoise ground, which raced over its estimate to finally sell at £680.

A Baccarat cut glass and gilt metal wine cooler, still bearing its paper label and with an etched mark to the base, realised £580.

The auctioneers are now accepting entries for their special Christmas Silver, Jewellery and Antiques sale in Cheltenham and a large Antiques and interiors sale in Cirencester with a specialist Toys section.

For free auction valuations, contact Lindsey or Elizabeth on 01285 642420 or 01242 256363 or email info@cotswoldauction.co.uk.