Dickinson adds to excitement as scenes fetch 10 times estimate

FLAMBOYANT TV presenter David Dickinson bought extra excitement to Driffield.

The antiques expert and his team were filming at Dee, Atkinson & Harrison’s Auction of Antiques & Fine Art.

The vendor of a pair of early 19th century colonial maritime topographical scenes on brass, entered on behalf of the client by Dickinson, must have been delighted with the result – getting nearly 10 times the original estimate.

Right from the start, bids flooded in from the internet but after fierce competition the unsigned pair was finally knocked down to a bidder in the room for 5,800.

The scenes are thought to be of the West Indies or Far East, possibly Hong Kong, as it was usually the Chinese who painted on brass.

However the highlight was the sale of a Marquesan ‘U’u war club – which wasn’t part of filming for Dickinson’s Real Deal – but finally went under the hammer for 13,000.

Another big surprise was the 4,200 paid for a pair of walrus tusks mounted on a carved wood walrus head, dating to around 1890.

Foreman Phil Ellerington said: “People either love him or hate him but a lot of people came to see him. He certainly does fetch in people who wouldn’t normally come.”