ANYONE interested in bringing a bit of the character of a bygone era into their lives, should look out for an unusual forthcoming auction. Next Tuesday, August 2, at 11am, at the Bridge Auction Rooms, Hatherleigh, PG and RI Pyle will be conducting their summer collective auction of architectural salvage and farming bygones. Among the 700 lots on offer there will be everything from granite troughs to floor slate and Belfast sinks to tractor seats. There are two lots which may be of particular interest. Firstly, an all-wood ornate garden bench seat (top right) made entirely from driftwood. The very unusual item is heavy and solid, 53ins in length with a good size 22ins width seat, with a guide price of £300-plus. Secondly, an antique miniature dog cart on wood spoke wheels (lower picture) (45ins long and 30ins high) which would make an ideal flower tub or in other decorative settings. The guide price is £100 to £150. Other items of interest include a small antique wooden cheese press, a Victorian roll-topped enamel batch on bird claw feet, bronze study of a bear up a tree and a large decorative chandelier. People can take advantage of this sale by taking similar bygone items along to the auction rooms this Friday or Sunday morning. There are two full days of viewing on Sunday and Monday.
