DAMAGED and dirty china originally bound for a car boot sale fetched more than £2,000 when they went under the hammer at an auction in Tavistock recently.
The Moorcroft Macintyre three-piece tea service of a pot, milk jug and sugar basin were found in an old cardboard box in the vendor?s garage by auctioneer Robin Fenner.
Mr Fenner said: ?They were so dirty, stained and covered in paint and emulsion, it was only the manufacturer?s inscription on the bottom that made me look more closely.?
The tea set eventually sold for £2,100, but they were not the only items in the cardboard box which made considerably more than if they were sold at a car boot sale.
A pair of Belleek figures of Hawkers, despite missing walking canes and damaged heads, were sold to a bidder from Ireland for a cool £660!
Mr Fenner said bidding at the sale was ?vibrant?, with the furniture section seeing competitive bidding for the first time in 12 months.
?The post-September 11 malaise appears to be behind us, as buyers from around the country descended on Tavistock,? said Mr Fenner.
A German marquetry table cabinet raised £1,800 while a Victorian mahogany partner?s desk, despite a major split, lost mouldings and three missing drawers, fetched £1,050.
Mr Fenner said: ?Such pieces are difficult to find these days and I have little doubt it will find its way to the cabinetmakers workshop and reappear some time later, restored and as handsome as ever.?
A collection of porcelain trial figures, featured in the Times two weeks ago, grossed around £2,000, the net proceeds of which are being donated to Devon Air Ambulance and the Brook Animal Hospital.
The annual ?Presents for Christmas? sale in Tavistock takes place on November 25 and auctioneers are seeking entries of fine jewellery, silver, porcelain, paintings and small furniture. Vendors should call Robin Fenner or Adam Croton on 01822 617799.