Marcus Olliff looked calm and organised on Saturday, three weeks before his big auction takes place. His yard in Bristol has been transformed. Nine hundred and fifty lots with little or no reserve all on display and urns of colourful flowers filling the few gaps. Chairs are lined up to seat lots of bidders, and a space for Wellers Auctions big screen. Those planning to spend the day there will be pleased to hear that some good proper burgers are being organised.
 
There are plenty of reclaimed materials up for sale including limestone quoins, blocks, windows, coping, pavers, and cornice, some lovely Bristol pink paving (lot 79 est £30 - £50) and glazed maroon and cream late Victorian bricks. There is Cotswold and Yorkstone paving and four pallets of stone cladding.
 
A very large earthenware sink, glazed in light brown is estimated at £50 to £80. A nicely weathered carved yorkstone head of Bacchus at twenty four inches tall, is estimated at £1,500 to £2,500. A pair of magnificent solid marble niches circa 1835 standing at just over six feet tall are estimated at £1,000 to £1,500.
 
There are garden tables and chairs, chimney pots, wrought iron arched windows, hoppers, flower pots, troughs, taps, basins, locks, lights, mirrors, stained glass; fireplaces galore; cast iron, marble, limestone, wooden, inserts, grates. You name it, it's there!
 
We loved the mahogany shop display cabinet with glass shelves, estimate £300 to £500.
 
Lot 107 is a grand set of seven white marble steps from The Caviar House in St James Street, Piccadilly, London next door to The Ritz hotel, estimate £1,500 to £2,500. Also of note is the bronze chandelier, lot 918, from the boardroom of The Providence Insurance Co in Dublin, attributed to Hardman who worked closely with Pugin. The light has six glass globes and has been converted from gas to electricity. It is seventy two inches high and fifty inches wide decorated with five female scribes estimate £3,000 to £5,000.
 
The sale is on Saturday 15th September from 9.30am at Olliff's Architectural Antiques, 39 St Werburghs Road, Bristol BS2 9XZ. Viewing is on Saturday 8th September 9am to 6pm and Monday 10th to Friday 14th September from 10am to 5pm. Those who can't make the sale on the day can bid online using ibidder. A full catalogue is available to view online at Wellers website. For any questions call Wellers on 01932 568678.