Local Collection of Ancient Art Fetches Over £23,000

On the 29th April, Wimbledon Auctions held a large sale of local house contents, to include the usual asian art, furniture, jewellery and paintings. Amongst this sale was a small, yet remarkable, collection of ancient art belonging to the late William Gladstone Stewart (1933-2017), host of television show 'Fifteen to One'.

Fifteen to One was a British general knowledge quiz show broadcast on Channel 4. It originally ran from 11 January 1988 to 19 December 2003 and had a reputation for being one of the toughest quizzes on TV. Throughout the show's original run, it was presented and produced by William G. Stewart. The series prize tended to be a classical artefact (for example an ancient Greek vase). Prizes were occasionally valued at several million pounds by archaeologists.

Mr Stewart purchased antiquities from the big London auction houses, Christies and Sotheby's in the 1990's. It was many of the items purchased here that reappeared in Wimbledon Auctions 29th April Auction. 

Highlights included An Apulian pottery bell Krater, attributed to The Barletta Painter, Circa 4th Century B.C. which sold for £4,200 (plus fees). A similar item of Apulian pottery, this time a rare kylix (drinking vessel) decorated with a horse and rider, estimated at a mere £600-800 soared to fetch £6,600 (plus fees). Aside from pottery, an East Roman 'Hauran' basalt relief fragment in the form of a human head circa 2nd Century A.D. sold for £2,000 (plus fees), and a two pairs of ancient gold earrings fetched £2,800 (plus fees). 

If you have ancient art that you are interesting in consigning to auction, please contact us [email protected] or 0208 947 2385.