SALE NEWS Winter 2015 / Spring 2016
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AUCTION CALENDAR JANUARY 7TH 19TH & 20TH 21ST
Furniture, Works of art & CloCks silver, vertu, Coins & Medals JeWellery
Woolley & Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd. 51-61 Castle Street, Salisbury Wiltshire, SP1 3SU T: +44 (0) 1722 424 500 enquiries@woolleyandwallis.co.uk www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
FEBRUARY 9TH 23
tribal art & antiquities Fine PorCelain & Pottery
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MARCH Paintings – oils, WaterColours, prints & miniatures
16TH
APRIL Furniture, Works oF art, arms & armour english & euroPean CeramiCs & Glass ClariCe CliFF, art deCo & 20th Century DesiGn Fine silver & obJeCts of Vertu JeWellery
6TH 19TH 20TH 27TH 28TH
MAY 17TH & 18TH
asian art
JUNE 8TH
Paintings – 20th Century & Contemporary art arts & CraFts
22ND
FREE AUCTION VALUATIONS
JULY 6TH 19 & 20 TH
21ST
TH
Furniture, Works oF art & CloCks silver, vertu, Coins & meDals JeWellery
We offer a free auction valuation service on the first Friday of every month, 10am – 1pm, no appointment necessary. The first for the year will be in February. For further information please call 01722 424 509 or visit our website.
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*All prices quoted are hammer price plus buyers premium.
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opposite. A Victorian silver and enamel novelty sentry box vesta case of a Coldstream guardsman, by S. Mordan, London 1886, 6cm high. Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000
front & BaCk CoVer. A pair of
William & Mary needlework panels, c. 1700, size 115 x 89cm and 155 x 86.5cm. Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000
issue 117
CONTENTS
Chairman’s introDuCtion
When you have been working in our industry for a number of years (or in my case several decades) there is a risk of becoming somewhat blasé about works of art and their values. This certainly applies to all of us here at Woolley & Wallis where we have been privileged to handle some wonderful pieces over the years and have to a certain extent, been spoilt for choice. So it is always edifying on those rare occasions when you see something that literally takes your breath away.
This happened to me in November at our warehouse at Old Sarum when Mark Richards showed me the two exceptional needlework panels that feature on the cover of this magazine. The combination of their size, age, colour, condition and the astonishing number of aspects featured including numerous figures and animals, biblical and mythological scenes, and much else besides stopped me in my tracks. I think they are quite magnificent! We could have offered them in our January furniture auction but decided to hold back until our sale on 6th April in order to give us
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furniture, Works of art & CloCks
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silVer, Vertu, Coins & meDals
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JeWellery
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triBal art & antiquities
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fine porCelain & pottery
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paintinGs
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ClariCe Cliff, art DeCo & 20th Century DesiGn
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asian art
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furniture & Works of art
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arms & armour
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eVents
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sale reVieW
sufficient time to do the necessary research including dating them (probably circa 1700) and seeing whether we can establish any provenance. The panels will certainly not be the most expensive lot that we sell during the year but I do think they are one of the most remarkable. Paul Viney Chairman
Contents | 3
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FURNITURE, WORKS OF ART & CLOCKS 7th January 2016
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SPECIALIST: MARK RICHARDS +44 (0) 1722 411 854 markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
opposite. A small collection of carved wood and polychrome decorated mushrooms, late 19th century, 13.7cm high. Estimate: £300 - 400
1. A pair of Louis XV
3. A collection of bronzes from the 17th-19th century. Estimate: £150 - 3,000
giltwood fauteuil a la reine by Michel Cresson, 70.5cm wide. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
2. A Regency rosewood side cabinet in the manner of George Oakley, 90cm wide. Estimate: £20,000 - 30,000
4. A George III mahogany backet clock by Eardley Norton, London, 48cm high. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
5. One of a pair of late 19th century Italian micromosaic plaques depicting Venetian scenes, a view of the Doge’s Palace and a view of Santa Maria della Salute, each in a giltwood frame, 26 x 33cm. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
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One of the more unusual lots consigned for the January sale is the small collection of French painted wood and plaster models of mushrooms featured opposite. Mushroom picking in autumn is a very popular seasonal practice in most of Europe, especially Italy and France and these accurate representations of fungi would have been possibly displayed in an Apothecary’s shop window to aid local people identify their finds.
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Following the successful sale of the Roman micromosaic plaque of St. Peter’s Square featured in our Summer/Autumn Sale News we are pleased to offer this pair of large micromosaic plaques of Venice. Consigned by the same Far Eastern vendor these would have been bought by wealthy 19th century tourists as souvenirs on the Grand Tour. 4
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f urniture , W orks
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SILVER, VERTU, COINS & MEDALS 19th & 20th January 2016
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SPECIALISTS: RUPERT SLINGSBY +44 (0) 1722 424 501 rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
LUCY CHALMERS +44 (0) 1722 424 594 lucychalmers@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
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Animal pin cushions are always popular and the January silver sale will include a small collection of largely Edwardian examples. Of particular interest is a polar bear which was less commonly made (image 2). The sale will also include a coins and medals section, comprising world coins, gold, medals and medallions. One of the highlights being a Great War Naval D.S.O. group of four to Lieutenant Commander Mansell Brabazon Fiennes Colvile, who served on HMS Cornwall which was responsible for sinking the Leipzig (image 6). Also included is a private collection of steel dies from Matthew Boulton’s Soho Manufactory [Mint]. Late 18th century and early 19th century dies are extremely rare survivors in the commercial world, and the collection contains the die for Admiral Lord Nelson’s Trafalgar Medal, 1805.
opposite. A pair of Mary Tudor silver Seal-top spoons, maker’s mark of I.F, London 1556. A rare pair of Elizabeth I silver Maidenhead spoons, by Richard Orenge, Sherborne, c. 1580. A Charles I West Country silver Seal-top spoon, by George Batter, Salisbury, c. 1630. Estimate: £800 - 7,000
1. A pair of George III silver wine coasters, by Thomas Hayter, London 1809, diameter 13.2cm. Estimate: £800 - 1,200
2. An Edwardian novelty silver polar bear pin cushion, by Cohen & Charles, Birmingham 1907, length 7cm. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
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The collection was predominantly made up throughout the 1990s, and there is an emphasis on West Country spoons, in particular those from the Salisbury area. Of which, nine are included in the collection and one of the highlights is by George Batter (opposite top).
3. Equestrian interest, a presentation silver tankard, by Thomas Bradbury and Sons, London 1912, inscribed ‘International Horse Show, Olympia 1912, 1st Prize Open Jumping, Capt. M. Crawshay 5th D.G, on “SUE”’, height 19.2cm. Estimate: £600 - 800 4. A pair of George III silver candlesticks, by John Green, Roberts, Mosley and Co., Sheffield 1800, height 30.2cm. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
5. By Froment-Meurice, a late-19th century French silver presentation statue, inscribed ‘ Duc D’ Aumale A SIr Frederick Bramwell Souvenir Affectueux et Reconnaisant, Moncorvo House 28 Mai 1887, on a green hardstone base, height 31.3cm. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500 6. A Great War Naval D.S.O. group of four to Lieutenant Commander Mansell Brabazon Fiennes Colvile. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,200
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The collection consists of fifty-five early spoons, pre-1700 with Apostle, Maidenhead, Seal-top, Slip-top, and Trefid terminals. The earliest is a pair of Mary Tudor Seal-top spoons (opposite bottom). One of the rarest and carrying the top estimate in the collection, is a set of four Apostle spoons by Robert Jygges. Also included in the collection is a pair of Maidenhead spoons by Richard Orenge, Sherborne. Spoons from Sherborne are rare, and it is particularly unusual to get a pair (opposite middle).
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We are pleased to be selling a private collection of ninety-four lots of early spoons and flatware in our January sale. 6
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JE WELLERY 21st January 2016
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SPECIALISTS: JONATHAN EDWARDS FGAA +44 (0) 1722 424 504 jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
MARIELLE WHITING FGA +44 (0) 1722 424 595 mariellewhiting@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
All images on this page are illustrated life size
opposite. A pair of 1970s diamond set gold earrings by Andrew Grima, 3.8cm high. Estimate: £1,500 - 2,000 Andrew Grima is one of the most prominent jewellers from the highly collectable 1970s era. 1. A 19th century micromosaic floral plaque brooch, 6.5cm high. Estimate: £200 - 300 2. A 1950s diamond spray brooch, 5cm high. Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000
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3. A pair of early 20th
5. A Kashmir sapphire and Burma ruby ring, size N, 1.5cm high. Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000
4. A silver head of Medusa
6. A ruby and diamond strap bracelet, 17.8cm long. Estimate: £6,000 - 8,000
century diamond set floral clips, 3cm high. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
pendant, signed Reuben Watts, 13cm wide. Estimate: £400 - 600 Watts was one of the pioneering silversmiths and jewellers of the Arts & Crafts movement in New Zealand in the early 20th century.
8. A sapphire and diamond bracelet by Caldwell, 18cm long. Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000
7. A gold bracelet by
Castellali, c. 1860, 18cm long. Estimate: £4,000 - 6,000
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Item 1 is part of a large collection of micromosaic jewellery to be sold in the January sale. Originally brought over from the Far East and consigned by the same family that are selling items in the Furniture, Works of Art & Clocks sale on page 5.
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Caldwell was founded in 1839 in Philadelphia and continued to be one of the leading American jewellers, coming to the height of their jewellery manufacture and retailing in the early 20th century. This bracelet is signed with their initials JEC & Co.
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TRIBAL ART & ANTIQUITIES 9th February 2016
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SPECIALIST: WILL HOBBS +44 (0) 1722 339 752 willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
opposite. A Ramu river ancestor mask, Papua New Guinea, 49.5cm high. Estimate: £600 - 800 1. A Haida carved argillite ‘pipe’ panel, 37.5cm long. Estimate: £800 - 1,200
2. A Luba ancestor
pendant, hippopotamus tooth, D R Congo, 8cm high. Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000
4. A Nias anthropomorphic hook, Indonesia, 50cm high. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
5. A Bambara antelope headdress, Chi Wara, Mali, 59.5cm high. Estimate: £800 - 1,200
3. Three pairs of Yoruba
Ibeji twin figures, Nigeria, 27.5cm the highest. Estimate: £500 - 800 each pair.
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The Yoruba people of Nigeria have one of the highest rates of twinning in the world, a phenomenon that cannot really be explained. The twins are believed to be powerful spirits and have an important role in shaping family life. Very often one or both the twins would die and then the parents would have a small figure carved representing the lost twin or twins (image 3). These would be carried by the mother, who would offer them food and wash their faces. They can vary in style, with differing coiffures but their overall standing pose with arms down by their sides is distinct and roughly measuring between 25cm - 28cm tall. They are often adorned with beads and metal bangles, these represent the deity to which the mother is devoted. The antelope headdresses or Chi Wara of the Bambara people of Mali also vary across the region, the eastern examples with their curved stylized backs, to the south a more abstract form and the style from the area near the town of Segu, shows a more naturalistic carving as seen in image 5.
Argillite is a black rock in-between shale and slate found on the North West Coast of Canada. Following the decline in the fur trade at the beginning of the 19th century the Haida people would carve this brittle material to trade with their sea-faring visitors. The example illustrated here (image 1) depicts a ship with the captain at the prow, holding a megaphone and with two seated figures behind.
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The Island of Nias in Indonesia has a fierce reputation through its headhunting traditions but also has a rich artistic heritage shown through its jewellery, costumes and carvings. The hook (image 4) would have hung from an interior house post to accommodate household objects, jewellery or clothing. The sale will also have a selection of Oceanic pieces including this ancestor mask (opposite) from the Ramu river region of Papua New Guinea.
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FINE PORCELAIN & POTTERY 23rd February 2016
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SPECIALIST: CLARE DURHAM +44 (0) 1722 424 507
opposite. A Pennington’s
Closing date for entries, 15th January
1. A Worcester part tea and coffee service, c. 1765, decorated in a version of the Hop Trellis pattern. Estimate: £500 - 800
claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
(Liverpool) blue and white mug of exceptional size, c. 1775, 27.5cm high. Estimate: £600 - 800
2. A large Liverpool porcelain mug, c.1780, printed by John Sadler with ‘The Tithe Pig’, 16.4cm. Estimate: £250 - 350
3. A Bristol delftware ‘Farmhouse’ plate of unusually small size, c. 1760, 17.6cm. Estimate: £300 - 500
4. A rare pair of Staffordshire enamel cassolettes, c. 1765, 18.3cm high. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
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the tithe piG muG The practice of “tithing”, i.e. giving one tenth of your income to the Church of England, was prevalent in the 18th century, but hugely unpopular, partly as it focused largely on agricultural giving and therefore exempted much of the banking and merchant industry, but also because it applied to everybody and was still payable by Catholics who had no use for the church they were forced to support. As poorer families were often unable to provide their tithe in monetary terms, goods were accepted in lieu of cash payment, which again often caused upset as clergy tried to judge what constituted a tenth of their flock’s income.
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In 1751 Louis-Philippe Boitard published a humorous drawing titled ‘The Tithe Pig’ of a couple gifting a tenth of their income to the village parson. The print shows the parson carrying off a piglet, while the wife tries to give him her tenth child, which she is unable to feed owing to the church’s demands on her family’s resources.
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This print by John Sadler, derived from J S Muller’s version of Boitard’s engraving, is seen on both porcelain and creamware, and on delftware tiles. It was one of the first satirical prints to be adopted by porcelain and pottery decorators and endured for over 50 years, as anti-clerical feeling continued. The subject was also depicted in porcelain figures at Derby and then pottery figures produced at Staffordshire right into the 19th century.
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PAINTINGS 16th March 2016
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SPECIALISTS: VICTOR FAUVELLE +44 (0) 1722 424 503 victorfauvelle@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
JO BUTLER +44 (0) 1722 424 592 jobutler@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
opposite. Montague
Dawson (1895-1973) Rolling Home Signed, oil on canvas 91 x 61cm Estimate: £10,000 - 15,000
1. Johann Hermann
Closing date for entries, 29th January
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Montague Dawson (opposite) is arguably the finest British marine painter of the 20th century. He had the sea in his blood from birth and his knowledge of all things marine imbues his pictures. He depicted ships with great accuracy and attention to detail but without the finished work looking in any way photographic. His depiction of water is without peer, with the luminosity, range of colours and movement of a mesmerising quality. The grandson of the Victorian marine painter Alfred Dawson, he was born into a sailing family and spent much of his youth sailing on the Solent. Later he served in the Royal Navy in the First World War and was a war artist in the Second World 3
Kretzschmer (German 1811-1890) Portrait of a mother and son Signed and dated 1852 Oil on canvas, 128 x 102cm Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
2. John Nost Sartorius (1759 - c. 1830) Hunting Scenes One of a set of four All signed and dated 1804 All oil on canvas Each 37 x 47cm Estimate: £5,000 - 7,000
3. Ernst Stuven (German 1660-1712) Summer still life Signed, oil on canvas 78 x 62cm Estimate: £800 - 1,200
4. Henry John Sylvester Stannard (1870-1951) Rural scenes with a woman by a cottage and a family in a punt One of a pair, both signed Both watercolours Each 25.5 x 35.5cm Estimate: £1,200 - 1,800
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War. This work, titled Rolling Home, is a fine example of his favourite subject matter, sailing ships in challenging sea conditions. The rigging and the billowing sails display his skill and accuracy, but he doesn’t idealise – with the hull marked and stained from the voyage. Ernst Stuven (image 3) was born in Hamburg, but spent most of his working life in Amsterdam and died in Holland. Like many of the still life painters of the time he was highly influenced by Abraham Mignon, another German painter who spent much of his career in Holland and became one of the foremost still life painters of the
17th Century. Whilst Stuven didn’t reach the same heights, his paintings are still highly competent and his use of the butterfly and the dragonfly in this painting shows the influence of Mignon. Henry Stannard’s (image 4) works are enduringly popular with collectors and the pair of watercolours here are lovely examples of his serene depiction of a rural life which is long gone. As examples of life before tarmac and motor cars took over they will surely become more and more sought after in years to come.
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CLARICE CLIFF, ART DECO & 20TH CENTURY DESIGN 20th April 2016
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SPECIALIST: MICHAEL JEFFERY +44 (0) 1722 424 505 michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Closing date for entries, 17th February
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The Clarice Cliff & Art Deco auction will include, ceramics, glass, works on paper, furniture and metal ware from the 1920s and 1930s.
opposite. Two Orrefors vases. left: by Edward Hald, a Graal vase internally decorated with fish, 115 x 89cm. Estimate: £300 - 500, riGht: An Ariel vase by Ingeborg Lundin, 155 x 86.5cm. Estimate: £500 - 800
1. Lys No.382 a Lalique
opalescent glass bowl designed by Rene Lalique, 24cm diameter. Estimate: £300 - 500
2. Maurice Milliere,
Portrait of a Young Ballerina, etching on paper, framed 55.5 x 38.5cm. Estimate: £150 - 250
3. A Jaeger-le-Coultre polished steel and lapis desk clock, 19cm high. Estimate: £200 - 300
5. A Mexican silver mask
4. An early Emile Galle
printed textile panel by Eduardo Paolozzi, c. 1953, 70 x 50cm. Estimate: £250 - 350
scent bottle and stopper, internally decorated, cut and enamelled with a girl on a crescent moon before a lakeside landscape, 11cm high. Estimate: £500 - 800
brooch, 6.5cm high. Estimate: £400 - 600
6. A David Whitehead
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Following this selection the sale broadens to cover 20th century design from 1900 to the present day. Already consigned are sections of glass and studio pottery including work by Dame Lucie Rie and Ewen Henderson.
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ASIAN ART 17th & 18th May 2016
http://weibo.com/johnaxford
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SPECIALIST: JOHN AXFORD +44 (0) 1722 424 506 johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Closing date for entries, 11th March
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Opposite. A large Chinese blue and white archaistic ovoid vase, Qianlong 173695, on a superb reticulated carved hardwood stand, 35.8cm. Estimate £20,000 - 30,000 To be sold May 2016
1. A fine Chinese white jade plaque depicting two phoenix, Qianlong 1736-95, 8.4cm. Sold for £42,700 2. A Chinese blue and white basin, 1st half 19th century, 40.6cm. Sold for £90,280
3. A Japanese Ivory netsuke, Meiji 1868-1912, 4.8cm. Sold for £14,650
5. One of a group of thirteen Chinese school gouaches. Sold for £12,000
4. A pair of rare Chinese carved wooden dogs. Estimate £2,000 - 3,000 To be sold May 2016
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a sale summary from noVemBer The two-day Asian Art sales commenced with a group of paintings from the collection of Lord and Lady Fairhaven which included gouaches and watercolours, selling for a total of £62,220. Illustrated is one of thirteen Chinese school gouache penzai paintings, from the 18th/19th century. Penzai literally translates as ‘tray scenery’. Each one delicately depicts a miniature ornamental tree enclosed in a jardinière, complete with rocks and other tiny flowers and plants, a tradition seen throughout Chinese history, as well as in Japanese and Vietnamese cultures.
The highest price achieved was for a Chinese blue and white basin discovered in an attic in Hampshire, which fetched £90,300. A fine Chinese Imperial white jade plaque depicting two phoenix, dating to the Qianlong period, sold for £42,700.
its back leg, caught the interest of dealers and collectors during the International Netsuke Society Convention in Baltimore in September. On the day of the sale, it was disputed between a number of buyers in America, Europe and Asia.
The second day of the sale started with a good selection of Japanese pieces including netsuke. One of these miniature carvings realised the top price on the day, selling for £14,650 to a Russian collector. This charming piece depicting a monkey holding a flea between its fingers while scratching
The items illustrated opposite and in image 4 will be sold in our May sale. Entries are currently being invited for this sale.
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SPECIALIST: MARK RICHARDS +44 (0) 1722 411 854 markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
1. A bronze equestrian
group of Field Marshall Ferdinand Foch by George Malissard, 50cm high. Estimate: £1,000 - 1,500
Closing date for entries, 5th February 2016
2. A Regency tortoiseshell tea caddy, 9.5cm high. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000 A set of copper engraved playing cards by Rowley & Co., c. 1765, card height 10cm. Estimate: £300 - 500
FURNITURE & WORKS OF ART
3. A pair of French gilt and patinated bronze ‘Nubian’ figural candlesticks, c. 1820, 27.3cm high. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
4. A George III satinwood and inlaid secretairé bookcase in the manner of Mayhew and Ince, 246cm high. Provenance: By family tradition acquired from Apter Fredericks, London in the late 1960s by Mrs Dorothy Francis at ‘Avalon’, Shepton Mallett. Thence by descent at Ray Mill House, Chippenham, Wiltshire, 1975-1995, after which with the same owner at his current address. Estimate: £8,000 - 12,000
6th April 2016 Already consigned for this sale are a Regency green tortoiseshell octagonal tea caddy (image 2), estimate £2,000 - 3,000, over twenty bronzes from a Wiltshire collector (image 1) and for all you bridge players we have a rare set of copper engraved playing cards dating from circa 1765 (image 2), produced by Rowley & Co., they come with their original harewood box. Estimate £300 - 500.
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SPECIALIST: WILL HOBBS +44 (0) 1722 339 752 willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
1. A pair of 19th century
Indian ceremonial maces, Soontas, 70cm long. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
2. A Jacob patent double barrel percussion rifle, by Swinburn & Son, 102cm long. Estimate: £2,000 - 3,000
Closing date for entries, 5th February 2016
ARMS AND ARMOUR
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6th April 2016 Recently discovered in an attic, this wonderful pair of 19th century Indian ceremonial maces or soontas capture the true magnificence of court life. The parcel gilt silver bodies are embossed and chased all over with stiff leaves and tear drops terminating in a lion mask with a luscious scrolling mane. Seen in contemporary paintings of important processions as pairs but carried individually and often depicted as gold, they add to the splendour of these occasions. Purchased by a young collector in 1950 from the Salisbury Market for 11/6d and then cycled the 6 miles home, a recent clear out bought back memories of a bygone period and a rare survivor of 19th century gun manufacturing. This double barrelled percussion rifle was the developed product of Brigadier-General John Jacob. Used in India for only a short period by the 30th Bombay Regiment of the Native Infantry, the successors of the two regiments of infantry that Jacob had raised in 1858. It was manufactured by Swinburn & Son, in Birmingham in 1861, with the characteristic patchbox in the walnut butt inscribed ‘Jacob’s Rifles,’ across the lid. 2
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EVENTS the 3rD tim Woolley memorial leCture By mattheW Burt The Relevance of the Artisan in the 21st Century Friday 15th April 2016 at 7pm Tickets are £15 each per head with all proceeds going to The Salisbury Hospice. Attendees will have the opportunity to view the European Ceramics and the 20th Century Design auctions before the lecture. Matthew Burt is one of the UK’s leading furniture designers and makers. After graduating from Reading University with an Honours Degree in Zoology he trained at Rycotewood College before setting out on his own. Matthew comments “In 1981 an elegantly dressed country gentleman muddied his brogues as he gamely slithered his way to an 18’ x 18’ corrugated iron shed, which we somewhat optimistically
referred to as ‘The Workshop’. It was Tim Woolley who was one of my first clients and who encouraged me to present my own designs He and Anne subsequently became wonderful Patrons of our work.” Today Matthew is based in Hindon and works with a staff of ten. His work is featured in the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge, St Hugh’s, Oxford, the Courtauld Gallery and the National Museum Cardiff. In 2001 he was awarded the Masters Gold Medal by the Worshipful Company of Furniture Makers. For further information or to reserve tickets please contact: Christine Johnson: 01722 424 509 christinejohnson@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Matthew Burt in his office with ‘Mister’
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SALES RE VIEW triBal art The first of two lots to sell for £14,650 in the September sale of Antiquities, Pre-Columbian & Tribal Art was an antelope headdress, or ‘Chi Wara’, a ritual adornment among the Bambara people (for another example please see page 11). An antelope called Chi Wara is the mythological story of the Bambara people of an animal that taught the skill of farming to humanity and these headpieces were worn during dances held at sowing and harvesting times. Lots from a collection of ancient Roman glass belonging to a wartime secret agent all sold, with collectors staying on the telephones to bid for items from the estate of the late Leslie Charles D’Oyly Harmar, a Special Operations Executive during the Second World War who purchased them in Damascus in 1943. The sale again saw an increase in new buyers from Germany, France and Australia with over 50% of lots selling online.
enGlish & european CeramiCs & Glass The Fine Porcelain & Pottery sale in September saw a strong price for a pair of Copeland bough pots or jardinières, in what has recently been perceived as a weakened area of the ceramics market, demonstrating a continued demand for the best items regardless of reported trends. Painted by Charles Ferdinand Hürten (1820-1901) a German porcelain painter who was described as having ‘no superior in flower painting, especially on pieces sufficiently large to give full scope to his vigorous yet delicate pencil.’ These late 19th century large and impressive pots were true examples of his talent, selling for £7,300.
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SALES RE VIEW furniture A fireplace saved from demolition repaid its preservation to the tune of £3,900 in the October Furniture & Works of Art sale in October. Designed by the esteemed architect Sir Edwin Lutyens for Ashby St. Ledgers Manor House in Northamptonshire, the fireplace was discarded when the 3rd Lord Wimborne reduced the size of the house in 1967-8 and was salvaged by his agent at the time. Sold by a direct descendant, the fireplace remained unused until it was consigned for sale. From a Far East collection, a Grand Tour micromosaic plaque depicting St.Peter’s Square, Rome, is now homeward bound to a successful Italian bidder who fought off considerable interest from both the trade and private buyers to secure the lot for £7,300.
arms & armour Concluding the Furniture sale in October was a section dedicated to Arms & Armour. This is an area Woolley & Wallis are keen to expand, and is headed up by Will Hobbs who commented ‘the market for antique arms and armour has strengthened in the last couple of years with an increased demand for quality and rarity’. There was considerable success across the sale with an 85% sold rate, a top price of £1,700 for a Welsh Fusiliers trench fighting knife and £1,350 for a 19th century heavy breech loading rampart gun. The next sale will be in April.
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SALES RE VIEW
silVer With a full saleroom akin to our Asian Art sales with standing room only, buyers delighted in the Fine Silver & Objects of Vertu lots offered in October with 87% of 685 selling and a sale total of £450,000. The highlight was a privately consigned Charles II silver chinoiserie two-handled porringer which sold for £19,500. This lovely example boasted both exceptional quality and the rarity of still having the original cover.
JeWellery Although at £341,600 this pearl was not the most expensive piece sold in the sale (another pearl pendant made £390,400) this lot had the most interesting provenance. Owned by a family who made a fortune from cotton in Egypt, this pearl was sought after by King Farouk who spent many years trying to buy the pearl from them, as he had a very similar one he wished to pair it with. The buyer of this diamond tiara illustrated, which sold for £36,600, explained that tiaras are now de rigueur amongst the high society of Russia. Ladies wish to display their wealth by wearing the jewellery which used to be worn by the aristocracy, many of whom came to grief during the revolution. The example here can be either worn as a tiara or converted into a necklace.
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SALES RE VIEW asian art This Chinese doucai dragon bowl, bearing a six character Kangxi mark and of the period 1662-1722 had a large restored section to the rim. This did not seem to deter buyers however, with the rarity of the design leading the bowl to eventually fetch £24,400 during the sale. Other highlights are featured on page 19.
20th Century Ninety-two lots of Martinware were offered in the British Art Pottery sale in November. Collectors turned out in force for the private collection of miniature gourds which were originally purchased by Sidney Greenslade directly from the brothers after meeting them in the late 1890s. After Greenslade’s death in 1959 part of his collection was given to his friend the Rev. William Henry Spottiswoode Webb and was sold by a direct descendant. The department ended the year with a record auction price of £2,685 for a 1902 stoneware gourd vase by Edwin and Walter Martin which surpassed the other fifty nine gourds.
A rarely seen Toby jar and cover by Robert Wallace Martin, dated 1890, modelled as a seated dog, with ruff collar, only 14.5cm high, also proved popular, selling for £20,750. Michael Jeffery commented ‘It was fantastic to sell the complete collection of gourds and to do so with three descendants of the Martin brothers family in the saleroom’ referring to the granddaughter of Edwin and
two grandsons of Walter Martin who came to see the works sold. The sale continued with modern potters including Lucie Rie and Hans Coper. Top price for this section was the classic but rare shape of an ovoid volume and flattened cylinder pot of Hans Coper which sold for £26,850. The sale finished with an 81% sold rate and a sale total of £468,600.
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SPECIALIST DEPART MENTS Chairman
Deputy Chairman
Managing Director
Paul Viney asfaV t: +44 (0) 1722 424 502 paulviney@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
John Axford mriCs asfaV
Clive Stewart-Lockhart friCs frsa
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 506 johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 598 csl@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
paintinGs
paintinGs
asian art
Victor Fauvelle
Jo Butler
Sophie Lister
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 503 victorfauvelle@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 592 jobutler@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 591 sophielister@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
enGlish & european CeramiCs & Glass
20th Century DesiGn
asian art
Clare Durham
Michael Jeffery
Alexandra Aguilar DomĂŠracki
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 507 claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 505 michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 583 alexaguilar@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
JeWellery
JeWellery
asian art
Jonathan Edwards fGaa
Marielle Whiting fGa
Freya Yuan
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 504 jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 595 mariellewhiting@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 589 freyayuan@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
silVer
silVer
triBal art & antiquities arms & armour
Rupert Slingsby
Lucy Chalmers
Will Hobbs
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 501 rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 594 lucychalmers@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 339 752 willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
furniture & Works of art
pa to the DireCtors
marketinG
Mark Richards
Christine Johnson
Tamzin Corbett
t: +44 (0) 1722 411 854 markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 509 christinejohnson@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
t: +44 (0) 1722 424 590 tamzincorbett@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
insuranCe & proBate Valuations
asian art
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woolleyandwallis.co.uk
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