27/01/2026 General News, Latest News
The January Cotswold Interiors & Collectables sale featuring the work of Laurence Scarfe broke auction house records, with the artist’s collection totalling a whopping six times it’s low estimate.
Head of department and Auctioneer Tarragon Kelham expressed delight at the robust global bidding and strong appetite amongst collectors for 20th century British Modernist work.
Lot 639, a unique bound folio of Scarfe’s designs for a new Royal Coat of Arms achieved ten times the low estimate, hammering at £1574 (inc. fees).
Lot. 639 A large bound folio containing the collected design records for a new Royal Coat of Arms commissioned by the British Government’s Central Office of Information, 1958-1964
The only known sculptural output by the artist, this group of five charming bronzes quintupled their low estimate, selling for a four-figure sum (inc fees).
Laurence Scarfe (British, 1914-1993), a group of patinated bronze sculptures modelled as male swimmers, incised with artist's monogram 'L S' and dated 1956 to base, 9cm high
Auctioneer Ms Kelham was particularly gratified to see the market’s response to Scarfe’s working sketches, displaying his skill as a draughtman and ability to capture atmosphere. Results for Scarfe’s Italian and Venetian topographical works were particularly strong, selling for over £5000 (inc fees).
A selection of mixed media drawings on paper from group lots 601, 559, 599 and 594
Kinghams’ Cotswold Interiors & Collectables sales are held monthly, alongside our busy schedule of specialist sales. We are actively consigning for our future auctions; entries are invited. Please contact the firm’s headquarters on 01608 695695 or email enquiries@kinghamsauctioneers.com.
Next Cotswold Interiors & Collectables sale: Thursday 26th February, 10am