£7 car boot bargain Loetz vases sell for £1,200 at Lichfield auction

£7 car boot bargain Loetz vases sell for £1,200 at Lichfield auction

A PAIR of vases bought by a Staffordshire mum for just €8 at a Spanish car boot sale have sold at auction in Lichfield for £1,200.

Christine Rehm, 65, from Stapenhill, bought the iridescent glassware five years ago when she and husband Manfred, 69, were living near Alicante.

But a valuation with Richard Winterton Auctioneers at Burton Market Hall revealed the pair to be Art Nouveau vases by renowned European manufacturer Loetz dating back to 1900.

They were offered for sale at The Lichfield Auction Centre on Tuesday, May 2, and achieved the top estimate of £1,200.

"What a fab result for Christine," said Sarah Williams, senior valuer with Richard Winterton Auctioneers.

"It just goes to show why it's a good idea to come and get a professional valuation if you have something of which you're not sure.

"Christine only bought the vases on a whim because she liked their colour and style.

"From sitting doing nothing in her lounge, they've now made top estimate under the hammer.”

Valuer Lisa Spence with the vases at Richard Winterton Auctioneers’ unit at Burton Market Hall.

The 13cm tall vases with trefoil-shaped upper rims are from Loetz’s Phaenomen Genre.

Known as PG29, they date back to 1900 when Loetz art glass was at its ‘pinnacle of greatness’, said Mrs Williams.

“This was during the Art Nouveau period and is the period of manufacture that is most prized by collectors today,” she added.

Richard Winterton Auctioneers offers free weekly valuations at Burton Market Hall, Market Place, DE14 1HA, for silver, paintings and antiques on Wednesdays 10am-1pm. During May, these valuations will take place on Wednesdays May 3, 17, 24 and 31.

Jewellery and watch valuations usually take place from 10am-1pm on Mondays (excluding Bank Holidays) although in May the only session takes place on Monday, May 22.

For more auction information, to book valuations or to discuss house clearances and large collections, email office@richardwinterton.co.uk or telephone 01543 251081.