Welcome to John Rolfe Auctions, a new saleroom based in Tetbury, Gloucestershire which was started by auctioneer John Rolfe in 2022.
Hello, my name is John. Having spent a lifetime in the antique trade (son of a dealer), the last 20 years I have been working up from a porter to head valuer and auctioneer. Now with my experience from shop floor to top table I feel ready and rather excited about this independent venture.
I have worked in all areas of antiques, design and collectables. Being head valuer one has to be able to spot quality across the board. We will certainly be able to assist in any area whether it be:
Jewellery - Silver - Watches - Clocks - Modern Art & Design - Decorative Arts - Pictures & Paintings - Asian art - Ceramics - Glass…
To me it is important that an auction house is as accessible as possible. Be gone the days of the pompous auctioneer in his bow tie and monocle, antiques and collecting should be for all. I want to keep hold of the traditional values that I hold so dear but welcome the modern advances that continue to revolutionise the industry.
The things I pride myself on are honesty, service and quality. If we can provide you with those things and perhaps a smile then I will be completely content.
See you at the sale.
Superior quality 18ct white gold diamond line or tennis bracelet, 35 0.27ct diamonds, approx. 9.45ct of diamonds in total, colour about 'g', clarity about VS2, SII, SI2, 19cm long, 17g
about Lot 59
19th century Chinese silver and gold buckle, the body of the buckle in silver, decorated with dragons, fruiting vines and fish in relief, with applied gold decoration in the form of a dragon, marked 'From the Emperors Palace, Capt John Hart Dunne, Oct 1860' to the reverse, with pricked indistinct Chinese character marks to both the front and back, 5.5cm x 5.5cm, with accompanying ephemera and photograph noting the Summer Palace Provenance: By repute, via a deceased descendant (Rosemary Hart Dunne) from a property near Chipping Norton. Note: John Hart Dunne was an old Scots Fusilier. He took part in the Crimea and was present with his regiment at the Battle of the Alma. Dunne also saw service in the North China War in 1860, in which he served with the 99th Regiment (now the 2nd Wiltshire) and took part in several engagements including the assault and capture of the Taku forts, the looting of the Summer Palace and the final surrender of Peking. For the China war, he held the China medal with two clasps.
about Lot 2052
Massive and impressive pair of wrought iron estate gates and posts, 285cm x 500cm the gates themselves are 400cm
about Lot 495
Impressive Napoleonic period carronade, the weapon being a short, smoothbore, cast iron cannon used by the Royal Navy from the last quarter of the 18th century to the mid 19th century, its main function was to serve as a powerful short range, anti-ship and anti-crew weapon. The carronade has a number of markings to the barrel, the top line having the '12', crown and 'P', referring to the 12 pound weight of shot the cannon could fire, the crown and 'P being interpreted as the proof marks, below this the carronade is marked 'CHS' which is likely the maker and is dated 1808, the final numbers '6-1-0' reflects the weight of the gun barrel, the first number being the hundredweights, the second being the quarter hundred weights and the last number being straight pounds. The carronade is held atop its wooden gun carriage and comes with an assortment of period cannons and chain shot. The piece is displayed atop a heavy stone plinth which is included with the lot. Total length is 110cm
about Lot 2041
A late 19th century 'Matchless' Singer penny farthing bicycle, circa 1880's, with 52" front wheel, polished meal front forks and handlebars, painted top tube and rear forks, the leather saddle with rubber suspension. The name plate to the rear of the saddle reads 'The Matchless R.C.B PATd Dec 24 1879', numbered '16950 53' to tube. H 157cm x W 67cm x L 165cm
about Lot 2347
Tom McGuinness (1926-2006) - Northern night street scene of men in flat caps congregating outside the pub, signed and dated '55, oil on board, 59 x 70cm, framed
about Lot 535
Rare very early 3 air Overture Music Box by David Lecoultre, circa 1830, Serial Number 17, cylinder pins excellent, comb missing one treble tooth, burr walnut case, fully working order, 42cm wide
about Lot 250
Incredible two storey quaint tudor style red brick summer house, with insulated elm and oak interior and cedar shingle roof, easy to transport, for very spoilt grandchildren or big children, H 425cm x D 290cm x W 406cm (measured to the widest points)
about Lot 142
Remarkable late 19th century Swiss Peacock automaton, working order, walks, crows and displays his tail feathers, in original bespoke box, 20cm high x 42cm long but with further longer tail feather in base of box
about Lot 251
The most magnificent Siena marble and stone fireplace fitted with further onyx panels, and four pillars of moustache bearded gentlemen and ladies, 130cm x 215cm To be sold with the option on 459a
about Lot 459