A miniature butcher's shop scene dating from 1880 is going under the hammer to raise funds for the Worshipful Company of Butchers (WCB).
Expected to fetch between £12,000 and £18,000, the Victorian Folk Art model depicts Fernley Butchers, which was originally in Limehouse, London. It is one of two items that the WCB has entered into the auction, which will take place online at 11am on Wednesday 9th June and will be run by Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers.
Measuring 78cm high and 94.5cm wide, the shop model was bought by the WCB in 2012. Prior to that, it was on loan to the Museum of Childhood in Bethnal Green for over 30 years.
Also going on sale is an unusual display case containing a selection of butchers’ tools in miniature, a large regulator and lighting from the Butchers' Hall. Dating from circa 1900, the display items include miniature saws and meat cleavers. The item is estimated to be worth £400 to £600.
Andrew Parker, Master of the Worshipful Company of Butchers, said: “Over the last five years we have rebuilt and refurbished the historic Butchers’ Hall in Bartholomew Close and sadly there is no longer anywhere to display the stunning model and tools in all their glory, so we have made the decision to sell them.
"The Covid-19 pandemic has hit the Butchers' (Company) hard and we have been unable to fundraise as much as normal to support our objectives of Charity, Education and Fellowship – so the money raised from this sale will help strengthen the Livery Company in its time of need."
Catherine Southon said: “It is believed that these models were placed in butcher's shop windows when the shop was closed as an advertisement. It is the very best of its type and each time you look at it you see something different.”
The auction will take place online at www.the-saleroom.com.
This story was originally published on a previous version of the Meat Management website and so there may be some missing images and formatting issues.
