woo l le y & wa l li S SA L I S B U R Y SA L E R O O M S
Sale NewS wiNter 2012/SpriNg 2013
auctioN caleNder & eveNtS diary JaNuary - May 2013 JANUARY 8th January
Furniture & Works of Art, including Tribal Art Will Hobbs 01722 339752 • willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Mark Richards 01722 411854 • markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
22nd & 23rd January
Silver Rupert Slingsby 01722 424501 • rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Lucy Chalmers 01722 424594 • lucychalmers@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
24th January
Jewellery Jonathan Edwards 01722 424504 • jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Marielle Whiting 01722 424595 • mariellewhiting@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
FEBRUARY 12th February
Fine Porcelain & Pottery Clare Durham 01722 424507 • claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
27th February
20th Century Design Michael Jeffery 01722 424505 • michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
MARCH 13th March
Paintings Victor Fauvelle 01722 424503 • victorfauvelle@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Jo Butler 01722 424592 • jobutler@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
26th March
Furniture, Works of Art, Clocks & Barometers Will Hobbs 01722 339752 • willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Mark Richards 01722 411854 • markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
APRIL 16th & 17th April
Silver Rupert Slingsby 01722 424501 • rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Lucy Chalmers 01722 424594 • lucychalmers@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
18th April
Jewellery Jonathan Edwards 01722 424504 • jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Marielle Whiting 01722 424595 • mariellewhiting@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
30th April
English & European Ceramics & Glass Clare Durham 01722 424507 • claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
MAY 22nd & 23rd May
Asian Art John Axford 01722 424506 • johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk Sophie Lister 01722 424591 • sophielister@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
eveNtS JANUARY 31st January
Silver, Jewellery, Clocks and Works of Art Valuation morning at The Swan Hotel, Alresford SO24 9AD 10am – 2pm. Please call 01722 424595 for an appointment.
FEBRUARY 7th February
Silver, Jewellery, Clocks and Works of Art Valuation morning at The Bear, Hungerford RG17 0EL 10am – 2pm. Please call 01722 424595 for an appointment.
8th February
Chelsea and Bow: London Factories in Contrast’ – a talk by Anton Gabszewicz on two leading English porcelain factories of the 18th century. Held in aid of The Trussell Trust to coincide with a private view of the Fine Porcelain and Pottery sale. Start time 6pm. More details on page 14.
FREE AUCTION VALUATIONS Starting from the 11th of January and every first Friday in the month the specialists will be providing free auction valuations at our Castle Street saleroom. 10am – 1pm No Appointment necessary Please call 01722 424500 for information
Woo L Le y & WA L LI S SA L I S B U R Y SA L E R O O M S
A major part of the success of any auction house is determined by the quality of its specialists and I am very appreciative of the fact that here in Salisbury we have some of the best, ready to compete with our fellow regional auctioneers as well as the London salerooms in equal measure; and one of the requirements of a good specialist is being able to pick out the one exceptional lot buried in a sea of mediocrity. Daniel Fearon, our coin consultant, was recently trawling through a mixed lot of coins and medals that a client had brought in. Not surprisingly bun pennies, threepenny bits and the like featured heavily; but amongst all these routine items, Daniel spotted an American coin which he instantly recognised as important and put it aside for further research. It was only the size of a 2p piece so could easily have been overlooked. It turned out to be an extremely rare half-cent coin dating from 1796. Less than 1,400 of these coins were minted (in Philadelphia) and fewer still survive. How it came to this country remains a mystery. It will be offered in our silver sale on January 22nd with an estimate of £25,000 - £30,000. So, at the end of another year, where does the market stand? Well certainly for us here at Woolley and Wallis the three most buoyant sectors of the market are jewellery, silver and Asian Art. Brown furniture remains something of a challenge but as with all disciplines the old adage that the best is the easiest to sell remains a truism. All of us in the Salerooms thank you for your continued support and we look forward to seeing you in Salisbury in the coming year. Paul Viney Chairman The Mark Hillary 1796 American Half-Cent. Estimate: £25,000–£30,000
Front cover: Antiques from the collection Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. See pages 6 & 7
CoNteNtS 2
Paintings
3
Clocks
4-5
Furniture
Editor: Tamzin Corbett tamzincorbett@woolleyandwallis.co.uk 01722 424590
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Lord Kitchener of Khartoum
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Asian Art
Issue no. 108
10-11
Silver
Woolley and Wallis Salisbury Salerooms Ltd. 51-61 Castle Street, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP1 3SU
12-13
Jewellery
14-15
Fine Porcelain & Pottery
16-17
Clarice Cliff & Art Deco
Tel: +44 (0)1722 424500 Fax: +44 (0)1722 424508 enquiries@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
18-19
Sales Review
20
Introducing Freya Yuan
Back cover: The Mark Hillary 1796 American Half-Cent. See pages 10 & 11
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
PAINtINgS
Specialist Victor Fauvelle 01722 424503 victorfauvelle@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Wednesday 13th March
Martin Lewis (American 1881–1962) Chance Meeting Signed Drypoint 26.75 x 19cm (plate size) Estimate: £3,000–£5,000
Thomas Faed RA (Scottish 1826–1900) The Letter Signed Oil on canvas, unframed 46 x 37cm Estimate: £3,000–£5,000
This iconic image of New York dates from 1940/41 and along with a second work by Lewis entitled Night in New York, an etching from 1932, are the highlights from an interesting collection of American etchings and drypoints in our March 13th sale.
Thomas Faed was one of the six children of James and Mary (neé McGeoch) Faed of Barley Mill, Kirkudbright. It is remarkable that, from a modest start, five of the siblings went on to have artistic careers and exhibit at the Royal Academy, amongst other places. John (1819–1902) and Thomas became the best known and both painted highly detailed genre scenes, although John started as a miniature painter from the age of 10 and was touring Galloway painting the aristocracy from the age of 11 onwards. James (1821–1911) also started by painting miniatures but turned to engraving and became a fine mezzotinter. George (1830–1852) displayed great skill, but died at only 21. Their sister Susan (1827–1909) was also very talented and devoted many years to the care of her mother who died in 1866. She later went on to exhibit at the RA and the RSA from the late 1860’s. Their remarkable achievements inspired many artists from the region including E.A. Hornel and their involvement in the arts helped make Kirkudbright a thriving area for Scottish art.
Martin Lewis (American 1881-1962) Night in New York Signed Drypoint 21 x 22.5cm Estimate: £3,000–£5,000
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CLoCkS, BAroMeterS & SCIeNtIFIC INStruMeNtS tuesday 26th March
Specialist Will Hobbs
+44 (0)1722 339752 willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
A gold and shagreen pair cased verge watch, signed Jno. Pyke, London, no. 2013, 48mm diameter, with an additional repoussé case. Estimate: £2,000–£3,000 A gold repoussé pair cased cylinder watch, signed Spencer & Perkins, London, 48mm diameter. Estimate: £600–£800
An early 19th century mahogany bow front stick barometer, by Elliot & Sons, London, 38¼in (97cm) high. Estimate: £2,000–£3,000
A Victorian mahogany cased regulator longcase clock, by Dent, No.24861, 78in (198cm) high.
A Victorian marine barometer with sympiesometer, by Lilley & Son, London, 36¾in (93.5cm) high.
Estimate: £1,000–£1,500
An 18th century Dutch walnut and marquetry longcase clock, by Lourens Duchesne, Amsterdam, 103in (261.5cm) high. Estimate: £3,000–£4,000
Estimate: £800–£1,200
A late 19th century French porcelain mounted ormolu mantel clock, 19½in (50cm) high.
A Regency quarter striking bracket clock, by John Holmden, London, 15cm (38cm) high.
Estimate: £1,500–£2,000
Estimate: £1,500–£2,000
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FurNIture & WorkS oF Art tuesday 8th January
A George IV mahogany hall seat, with a central panel painted the quartered arms of Farquharson of Invercauld, Aberdeen, 77in (195.5cm) wide. Estimate: £3,000–£5,000
A late Victorian satinwood and painted Carlton House desk, 20in (102cm) wide. Estimate: £2,000–£2,500
A late 19th century Venetian harlequin acrobat torchere, 40¾in (103cm) high. Provenance: The Hon. Daisy Fellowes, Donnington Grove and by descent. Estimate: £3,500–£4,000
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Specialist Will Hobbs +44 (0)1722 339752 willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
The sale includes other African and Oceanic Art from the collection and stock of William and Ernest Ohly, Berkeley Galleries, London that closed in 1977. The majority have inventory numbers painted on them, with a record of where and when they came into the gallery’s stock.
A Kuba anthropomorphic cup, 10in (25.5cm) high. Provenance: Ernest Ohly, Berkeley Galleries London. Estimate: £800–£1,200
A Yaure mask, 19th century, 15in (38cm) high. Provenance: Ratton, Paris. Ernest Ohly, Berkeley Galleries, London. Estimate: £4,000–£6,000
A 19th century Dutch walnut vestments cabinet, 89½in (228cm) high. Estimate: £3,000–£4,000
A continental giltwood and gesso console table, with a breche marble top, 33in (84cm) high. Estimate: £2,000–£3,000
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LorD kItCHeNer oF kHArtouM Forgotten Treasures of Lord Kitchener Lord Kitchener of Khartoum needs little introduction as a soldier, but is far less well–known as a collector. Famous from the iconic conscription posters, which today make his face synonymous with the First World War, few people are aware of his history as a connoisseur of art and objects. The vast majority of his collection was auctioned in 1938, but some years ago we were asked to sell a few remaining pieces, which included items of Chinese porcelain from the 18th and 19th centuries. Now, nearly a decade later, a family member has found further items from his career as the Secretary of War and from his private interest in objets d’art. Found forgotten in a cellar after some seventy years were antiquities from Egypt and the Roman Empire, alongside thirty–six Iznik and Safavid tiles previously used to tile a family bathroom. Most personal of all to Kitchener himself; his own chair from the War Office, and a copy of the New Testament personally dedicated to him during his visit to New Zealand in 1910 (both illustrated below).
Field Marshal, Horatio Herbert Kitchener.
A set of four Iznik tiles, dating from circa 1575, previously used to tile a family bathroom.
Lord Kitchener’s mahogany armchair from the War Office.
These and other items from Lord Kitchener’s collection will be sold on the 26th of March and the 22nd of May Detail of the plaque from the chair.
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The Kitchener collection includes an extraordinary range of items, most notably a fascinating album titled ‘Scenes from New Zealand’. Bound in gilt-stamped red morocco and with a photo inset to the upper board, the album is indistinctly inscribed to Lord Kitchener and dated 24/2/1910. Inside are 50 inscribed photos of views and figure studies. Also included is a small New Testament, dedicated to Lord Kitchener by A R Falconer of the Soldiers’ Rest, Wellington, in memory of the 10 Contingents of New Zealand troops who passed through the Soldiers’ Rest on their way to the South Africa War. Kitchener was Commander in Chief in South Africa and this small book was presented to him in Dunedin in 1910. Slightly out of place amongst the pieces was a Chinese cinnabar lacquer box and cover in the form of two peaches (please see page 9). ‘Scenes in New Zealand’, presented to Lord Kitchener in 1910 along with the New Testament, depicting 52 portrait and panoramic photographs.
Poignantly there is a catalogue of the Royal Armoury, in Madrid, dedicated to Field Marshall Lord Kitchener by King Alfonso of Spain, inscribed ‘Hoping that I may show it to you soon’ and dated 14.II.1916. Less than a year later Kitchener had drowned, off Orkney, when his ship hit a German mine with the loss of 643 lives of the 655 on board.
The New Testament, presented to Lord Kitchener by A R Falconer in 1910.
From ‘Scenes in New Zealand’.
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ASIAN Art Wednesday 22nd & thursday 23rd May The Woolley and Wallis Asian Art sale held on the 14th and 15th November, was again very well received, fetching nearly £2.7m. As part of Asian Art in London our two day exhibition in Duke Street, St James’ attracted a large number of international buyers many of whom also attended the sale and competed for the top lots. Below are illustrated a number of highlights.
We are currently inviting entries for our specialist sale which will be held in May of next year. So far entries include a collection of dream stone panels from a private collection in Belgium; twenty-six rare tiehua (iron open-work) pictures, dating from the 18th century which were previously on loan to the Metropolitan Museum in New York and a rare 18th English watch made for the Chinese market.
For further information, or to arrange an appointment please contact: John Axford johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk +44 (0)1722 424506 Sophie Lister sophielister@woolleyandwallis.co.uk +44 (0)1722 424591 One of four paintings by Lin Fengmian offered in this sale, all purchased by a Shanghai collector. Two Young Ladies with Fans. Sold for £97,600
A near pair of Chinese Imperial porcelain altar vases dating from the Qianlong period which featured in the last Sale News.
One of five Rhinoceros horn carvings included in this sale, this example dating from the 17th century.
Sold for £183,000
Sold for £79,300
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Specialist John Axford +44 (0)1722 424506 johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
One of two 18th century Chinese bamboo bitong. This example is carved with a narrative scene depicting figures before a bamboo grove in a rocky, mountainous landscape, 15cm high. Provenance: from a titled English family in the New Forest. Estimate: £10,000–£15,000
A Chinese hardwood and lacquered eight–legged stand, dating from the 19th century. Provenance: from the collection of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. Estimate: £2,500–£3,500
A Chinese red cinnabar lacquer box and cover formed as two peaches and on–laid with ivory blossoms, dating from the Qianlong period. Provenance: from the collection of Lord Kitchener of Khartoum. Estimate: £800–£1,200
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SILVer tuesday 22nd & Wednesday 23rd January The sale consists of over 1100 lots of silver and objects of vertu, including several items of real historic importance. Of particular interest is a Victorian Freedom casket. The current owner inherited it from his father who was given it by an English Admiral who worked for the Monaco Hydrographic Bureau. It bears the crest and motto for Vice–Admiral Sir George Strong Nares (1831–1915), of Biddenden, Kent; the Coat of Arms for the City of London; a stylised coat of arms for the Shipwrights Company and The Arctic Medal 1818–1855. He is on the published medal roll as "Mate" on the Resolute, 1852–53. This was the last expedition sent to look for the remains of Sir John Franklin, who had disappeared while attempting to chart and navigate a section of the Northwest Passage in the Canadian Arctic in 1847. Nares went on to be Captain of HMS Alert and Commander of the Arctic Expedition 1875–76. On this expedition, he became the first explorer to take his ships all the way north through the channel between Greenland and Ellesmere Island, which is now named Nares Strait in his honour. He was also later awarded gold medals from the Royal Victorian silver freedom casket modelled as a loaded sledge. Geographical Society and the French Société de Geographie. Estimate: £1,000–£1,500 We are also selling a private collection of Scottish provincial silver wine and sauce labels. This rare collection consists of sixty-eight labels, by forty makers from fifteen different provincial towns. The collection comes from the same vendor as the Private Collection of Scottish Provincial Flatware we sold in these rooms in 2009. Highlights include:
Rowing interest, a Victorian silver trophy bowl, by Frederick Sibray and Job Hall, London 1887.
A George III Scottish provincial silver boudoir label, by Edward Livingstone, Dundee circa 1790– 1800, twelve pointed star form, engraved decoration, incised 'ACID'.
Estimate: £1,800–£2,500
Estimate: £800–£1,200
A rare George IV Scottish provincial silver wine label, by William Ferguson of Peterhead, also with Edinburgh marks for 1826, incised and blackened 'MADEIRA', length 4.5cm. Estimate: £2,000–£3,000
Two rare early 19th century Scottish provincial silver wine labels, by William Innes, Tain circa 1830, incised 'HOLLANDS', and ‘MADEIRA’. Estimates: £2,500–£3,000 each
A German silver boar's head stirrup cup. Estimate: £1,000–£1,500
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Specialist Rupert Slingsby +44 (0)1722 424501 rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
The sale will include the second part of The Sandeman Collection of wine labels, the first part having been sold in our October 2012 Silver Sale. The collection was started by Ernest S. Sandeman, and passed to his brother, Major Patrick Walter Sandeman, who continued to collect and expand the collection to over 700 items. On his death 1959, the collection was divided between his three children. On the second day of the sale we will be selling a small collection of Australian silver which includes:
A George III silver-gilt wine label. Estimate: £400-600
A William IV Irish silver armorial cut–out letter wine label, Dublin circa 1835. Estimate: £400–£600
We are also selling part of the reference library of the late Michael Wellby, one of this country’s leading dealers and collectors in Continental silver. The library is divided into sixty–five lots and covers most European countries and marks for further afield.
Nocq, H., Le Poincon de Paris, Laget, Paris 1968, green cloth bound, five volumes. (5)
A 19th century silver–gilt emu egg.
Estimate: £400–£600
Estimate: £1,000–£1,500
By Fabergé, a Russian silvermounted glass claret jug. Estimate: £5,000–£6,000
By Omar Ramsden and Alwyn Carr, an Edwardian Arts and Crafts gem stone mounted silver chalice,
An early 18th century Norwegian silver peg tankard. Estimate: £1,500–£2,000
Estimate: £2,500–£3,000
We are delighted to be selling a 1796 USA Half-Cent. The coin was part of a collection put together by a schoolboy during his time at Winchester College and later at Oxford University, who tragically was killed in a mountain climbing accident aged only 20. How it came to be in his collection is uncertain, but what is certain is that the coin, one of only approximately 1400 minted in that year, is of great rarity. 1796 was the final year of George Washington’s Presidency, the first year American Independence Day celebrations were held and the modern United States of America was still in its infancy. Only a handful of the coins have remained, and very few have come to the market in recent years. The collection was kept in a small ‘chest’ made from matchboxes stuck together, and had remained forgotten amongst other coins since the original owners death in 1963.
A late 17th century provincial By the Guild of Handicraft silver tumbler cup by Thomas Limited, an Edwardian silver Cory of Warminster, circa 1670. and chrysoprase vase. Estimate: £3,000–£4,000
Estimate: £1,000–£1,500
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JeWeLLery thursday 24th January
The simplicity of a short necklace of graduated diamonds has given the ‘rivière’ a classic attraction. Designed to show the maximum surface area of the diamonds without the distraction of complicated mounts, this style of necklace is said to resemble a sparkling river. The early Hanovarian examples were relatively limited by the closed backed mounts of the more lumpy cushion-shaped stones. Lot 1577 is a fine Edwardian example using the cut down open backed collets for the more modern brilliant cut diamonds, two centuries after it first appeared.
Detail of a natural pearl necklace with diamond clasp, lot 1570. Estimate: £15,000–£20,000
It is estimated to sell in January for £20,000–£30,000
1. A pair of Hermès wasp brooches. Estimate: £600–£800
1.
1. A pink tourmaline ring. Estimate: £600–£800 2. An emerald and diamond ring. Estimate: £5,000–£7,000
2. A late Victorian diamond set bee brooch. Estimate: £1,500–£2,000 2.
3.
3. Two aesthetic movement inset brooches. Estimate: £300–£400 4. A diamond set bee pin. Estimate: £450–£550
4. 5.
5. A Regency gem set cannetille gold butterfly brooch with two lockets to the reverse. Estimate: £800–£1,200
3. A ruby and diamond ring. Estimate: £2,500–£3,500
1. 8.
3.
7. 9. 4.
6.
5.
2. A fire opal and diamond brooch. Estimate: £5,000–£7,000
2. 6. 3. 4.
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6. A ‘sugar-loaf’ shaped sapphire and diamond ring. Estimate: £1,000–£2,000
8. An Art Deco fire opal ring. Estimate: £200–£300
1.
3. A Coronation brooch. Estimate: £600–£800
5.
5. A sapphire ring, displaying three shades of pink, including the famous padparascha. Estimate: £800–£1,200
7. A Regency gem set DEAREST ring, set with diamond, emerald, amethyst, ruby, emerald, sapphire and turquoise. Estimate: £300–£400
1. A bow brooch, pavé set with diamonds. Estimate: £5,000–£7,000 1.
4. A peridot ring. Estimate: £600–£800
2.
4. A pair of Cartier diamond and crystal cufflinks. Estimate: £3,000–£4,000
9. A George III paste set ring. Estimate: £200–£300 2.
Two pairs of Art Deco drop earrings.
5. A diamond set violin brooch. Estimate: £1,000–£1,500
1. The larger set with aquamarines. Estimate: £3,000–£5,000
6. A Cartier sapphire and diamond brooch. Estimate: £15,000–£20,000
2. The smaller set with blue zircons. Estimate: £400–£600
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Specialist Jonathan Edwards FGAA +44 (0)1722 424504 jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Pearls Throughout history pearls have been linked to substantial wealth, both in mythology and in real life. Did Cleopatra really drop a large pearl earring in to a glass of wine to demonstrate to Anthony her indifference to seeing a small fortune dissolve? Did a Roman emperor fund an Army on the sale of a single pearl? There is fairly good evidence to suggest that each pearl sewn on to the clothes of Tudor and Elizabethan ladies and gentlemen could buy a house. We can be absolutely sure however that in 1916 Louis Cartier traded a two row pearl necklace to Mrs Maisie Plain in exchange for her substantial Fifth Avenue home in Manhattan. The necklace and the building were each valued at $1,200,000. The great firm of Cartier have remained there to this day. We are regularly asked why natural pearls are so valuable. It has been said that it takes a million oysters to make a similar pearl necklace to the one (pictured right) that was sold in the November sale. As a result of pollution, pearl diving effectively ceased around the middle of the twentieth century and consequently, supply is now limited to what was collected before World War II. Most of the finest pearls come from the Persian Gulf. The massive wealth of some of the leading families in the area means that many of the finest pearls in the world are returning to the region.
The pearl necklace that sold for ÂŁ122,000 in November 2012.
Since natural pearls are notoriously difficult to differentiate from the much lower valued cultured pearls, we arrange for certificates from external laboratories, notably the internationally recognised SSEF (Swiss Gemmological Institute) in Basel, on behalf of our clients. This greatly enhances the value of the pearls and is part of the service provided to achieve the highest prices. When pearls were first cultured commercially, at the beginning of the twentieth century, the effect of them being available to the masses rather than the privileged few had a devastating effect on the price of real pearls. A century later and the situation has been reversed. Cultured pearls have decreased in value in recent years while the interest and prices for natural pearls has risen meteorically. The world record breaking sale of the Princess Elena Von Hohenzollern pearl earrings was a career highlight. How rewarding it would be to beat that record.
A 1950’ s pearl and diamond brooch. Sold for £58,500 in November 2012.
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FINe PorCeLAIN & Pottery tuesday 12th February When the economic downturn hit at the start of 2008, the market for ceramics and glass appeared to be so uncertain that the decision was taken to drop to just two sales a year. Five years later things have recovered sufficiently that we are able not only to increase to three sales a year, but also to hold the first ever Fine Porcelain and Pottery specialist sale at Woolley and Wallis. This inaugural sale on 12th February is not only a first for us but also, we believe, a first for any auction house outside of London. While the sale will include several high ticket items, there will also be a good number of quality pieces with a more modest reserve. The concept of a “fine” sale has so far been well received and it is hoped that this could become a regular fixture in the Sale Calendar. A rare English delftware plate, probably made at Wincanton in Somerset in the mid 18th century. The blue painted panels are typical of wares of this era but the sponged ground, a rust–coloured orange instead of the usual manganese, does not appear to be previously recorded. Estimate: £1,500–£2,000
A Frankenthal group of The Good Mother, c.1770, modelled by Karl Gottlieb Lück after a painting by John-Baptiste Greuze.
Charity Lecture On the Friday before the February sale we are pleased to welcome Anton Gabszewicz, a renowned specialist in the area of 18th century English porcelains, who will be giving a talk in conjunction with a private view of the sale. Anton is a popular and regular speaker on ceramics, and his talk ‘Bow and Chelsea: London Factories in Contrast’ provides a light–hearted and intriguing insight into the earliest development of English porcelain, investigating the rivalry between the founders of the two factories and the development of the porcelain industry against the background of mid–18th century London. From the outset, the manufacture of porcelain has been inextricably linked with social history and the characters involved in the establishment of these earliest factories in particular should make for a fascinating evening. Tickets for the evening are £10 and proceeds will be going to the Trussell Trust in Salisbury. More information is available from Christine Johnson on 01722 424509.
A Chelsea Gold Anchor vase, painted with birds amongst leafy foliage. Estimate: £800–£1,200
Estimate: £1,200–£1,500
A good Worcester blue and white sparrow beak jug painted with the Landslip pattern. Estimate: £300–£500 From a small private collection of English blue and white porcelains included in the sale, from a deceased estate in Hampshire.
A Minton Majolica garden seat dating from the latter half of the 19th century, modelled with a blackamoor boy seated with a tasselled cushion resting upon his head. Estimate: £1,000–£2,000
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Specialist Clare Durham +44 (0)1722 424507 claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
An unusual pair of Chanakkale (Western Turkey) pottery ewers, dating from the 19th century and painted with stylized floral designs on a cream slip ground. Estimate: £800–£1,200
An unusually small Italian maiolica albarello painted with the head of a Turk. The style of painting on this jar is very similar to pieces produced in the workshop of Andrea Pantaleo in Sicily during the early 17th century, one of which is in the collection of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge.
A pair of George III South Staffordshire enamel candlesticks, spiral fluted and finely decorated with flowers on a pale yellow ground. Estimate: £350–£550 From a small collection of enamel candlesticks included in the sale, all from a deceased estate.
Estimate: £1,500–£2,000
Twelve rare Sèvres hard–paste porcelain plates, dating from the late 18th century, each painted to the well with varied garlands of flowers, the rims with gilt and platinum chinoiserie scenes on a black ground. A similar plate is in the British Museum (illustrated in Aileen Dawson’s book on the collection). These twelve plates, from a titled English collection, to be sold in pairs with an estimate on all twelve plates of £30,000–£50,000.
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CLArICe CLIFF, Art DeCo & 20tH CeNtury DeSIgN Wednesday 27th February
Masters of Art Deco Sculpture Professor Otto Poertzel (1876-1963) Otto Poertzel was born in Scheibe, Germany and became one of the most prominent sculptors of the early 20th century. He initially trained as a porcelain modeller, following in the footsteps of his father, but from 1900 he concentrated on working as a freelance sculptor and exhibiting at the St Louis World’s Fair (1904) and the Brussels International Art Fair in 1910. He was awarded the title of Professor in 1913. Under the patronage of Duke of Saxe-CoburgGotha in the 1920s and 1930s he produced a range of fashionable figures and exotic dancers such as Snake Charmer and the bronze and ivory dancer in contemporary dress, illustrated. His most famous student was Ferdinand Preiss (1882-1943) who trained with Professor Poertzel in Berlin, before founding his firm of Preiss Kassler in 1907 with his friend Arthur Kassler. Poertzel and Preiss worked together on figures including the Butterfly Dancers bronze and ivory figure, produced at the Preiss Kassler foundry circa 1925. The firm was highly successful from its base in Germany, supplying ivory decoration and detailing to companies including Sarotti chocolates for their shop displays. It produced a range of athletic figures, javelin throwers, tennis players and skiers inspired by the 1936 Olympics held in Berlin. This figure is part of a private collection of bronze and ivory figure and Goldscheider pottery figures and wall masks.
The Top, a fine cold-painted bronze and ivory figure of a dancer, cast from a model by Professor Otto Poertzel. Estimate: £6,000–£10,000
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Specialist Michael Jeffery +44 (0)1722 424505 michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Demetre H. Chiparus (1886 – 1947) Born in Romania, Demetre Chiparus lived and worked in Paris, exhibiting at the L’Ecole Des Beaux-Arts, Paris Salon from 1914. He trained under the sculptor’s Antonin Mercier and Jean Marie Boucher. Like many artists and designers his work became heavily influenced by the exhumation of Tutankhamun’s tomb by Howard Carter in 1922. Other influences were closer to home, in Paris, where the concert hall performers and dancers including Josephine Baker were at their peak. Chiparus was besotted with the Dolly Sister’s - the Hungarian born twins Roszika and Janszieka Deutsch. Although probably not based on one of the sisters, Actress includes all the glamour and style of them and the Paris of Coco Chanel, Jean Cocteau and Sergei Diaghilev whose Ballet Russes were the height of daring glamour and the must see social event of the town. The auction recreates the style of 1920s and 1930’s Paris and the legendary 1925 Paris exhibition which gleaned the name Art Deco, with ceramics, glass, furniture and metal ware whilst displaying its considerable influence on British Designers including Clarice Cliff and Truda Carter.
Actress, a fine patinated bronze and ivory figure, cast from a model by Demetre H Chiparus. Estimate: £8,000–£12,000
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SALeS reVIeW fig. 1
The collection of the late Dr John Birch was the highlight of the September 19th Picture sale. He collected for over 40 years and the focus of the collection was Modern British Art, an area very popular with buyers at present. Private buyers competed for many of the pictures resulting in strong prices. The top sale price of £58,560 (fig. 1) was for an Ivon Hitchens (1893-1979) Firwood Ride No. 6, closely followed by the Edward Wadsworth A.R.A. (1889-1949) A limestone quarry, achieving £56,100 (fig. 2). A John Minton (1917 – 1957) Landscape with harvester resting sold for £26,800 (fig. 3), a very strong price for a work on paper by this artist.
fig. 4
fig. 2
fig. 3
The top lot from the English and European Ceramics and Glass sale was this large English delftware monteith (fig. 4), dating from c.1680-90, which sold for £17,100. This type of vessel, used for cooling drinking glasses, was only just becoming popular in the late 17th century and, whilst smaller versions are relatively common in Dutch earthenware, the English examples are exceptionally rare. In the 18th century porcelain section, the unusually fine quality of this Longton Hall ‘Folly’ pattern coffee can (fig. 5) led it to reach a record price of £4,150. The production of Longton Hall was short-lived and examples with decoration this fine and in such good condition are rare and desirable to collectors. The Continental porcelain market is arguably stronger than its English equivalent, and Meissen in particular is thriving at the moment. This figure of Old Father Time (fig. 6) came from a deceased estate and sold to a collector for £2,300.
fig. 5
The October 16th Furniture, Clocks and Tribal Art sale produced good, solid results highlighted by a pair of George III mahogany and marquetry demi-lune card tables (fig. 7) which sold to the trade for £15,860, despite the incredibly neglected state they were in, with cracked tops and major restoration needed, the fine marquetry friezes and lovely timber were enough for a bank of telephone bidders to take them well beyond expectations. The clocks section featured a German hexagonal table clock by Benedict Firstenfelder (fig. 8), this rare clock has an early type of movement and repeating minute which are usually unique due to Firstenfelder examples each being individual and experimental. This clock selling for £5,130.
fig. 7 (one of a pair)
fig. 6
Novelty items still have a place in the clock market, proven by a French novelty silver and brass carriage clock modelled as a sedan chair (fig. 9) which sold for £3,200.
fig. 8
The name Thomas Earnshaw is synonymous with excellent chronometers and this held firm for a one day chronometer by the maker (fig. 10), realising £8,540. Amongst the 250 lots of Tribal Art, most of which found European and U.S. buyers, one piece – a Zulu Knobkerrie (fig. 11) with off centre spherical finials and ribbed ovoid nodules achieved a sale price of £7,500. Foreign silver is continuing to attract great interest, as shown in the 30th and 31st October Silver sale by a pair of late 19th/early 20th century Turkish three-light candelabra (fig. 12) sold to the Turkish trade, for £4,400.
fig. 11 fig. 12
fig. 9 fig. 10
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fig. 16 fig. 14 fig. 13 fig. 18
fig. 15
Items of vertu have always attracted a good following, and this sale was no exception, and featured a private collection of 49 scent bottles, which totalled £17,000. Of particular note was a late-Victorian silver mounted novelty owl scent bottle, by S. Mordan and Company, London 1894, which sold for £730 (fig. 13).
fig. 17
The strength of the collectors’ market was also in evidence with the success of part one of The Sandeman Collection of Wine Labels, part two will be sold in our January 2013 silver sale. Among the 64 lots sold, was a Victorian silver armorial example, by Elkington and Co, Birmingham 1853, which sold for £1,830 (fig. 14) to a collector. The coins section of the October sale included an Edward VI gold Half-Sovereign, consigned by a local school, which sold for £2,440 (fig. 15). Jewellery continues to have fantastic sale results with a few highlights listed below: Much like the April 26th jewellery sale the November 1st sale demonstrated the high value and strong demand for natural pearls. The large and rare colour change sapphire (fig. 16) surpassed its estimate making £31,720 after attracting international interest and eventually selling to a London buyer. This strength in coloured stones was echoed throughout the sale with a pair of sapphire and diamond cluster earrings, (fig. 17) selling for £14,640 and an opal and diamond cluster ring, (fig. 18) achieving £12,200 sold to a Hong Kong buyer. The November Asian Art sale continued the success of this growing department. Despite extensive damage, the two Chinese fahua seated figures of monks, fetched £10,900 (fig. 19). Provenance again proves invaluable; these two items, (figs 20 & 23), came from the collections of Lord and Lady Fairhaven, and June, Lady Horlick respectively. The former, an album of Chinese paintings, drawings, watercolours and photographs fetched £35,300 (fig. 20) and the pale celadon jade bitong made £39,100 (fig. 23). Other highlights included an 18th century Yixing teapot selling for £18,300 (fig. 22) and a Jiaqing basin which realised £48,800 (fig. 21).
fig. 19
fig. 21
fig. 20
We were delighted to offer ten of the top pieces from the collection of the late Ken Manley, probably the finest collection of Moorcroft Pottery in Britain as part of the British Art Pottery sale in November. Ken was a connoisseur and avid collector of Moorcroft Pottery and it was fitting when the legendary ‘Flambe Carp’ bottle vase (fig. 24) sold for an auction record to a private collector for £26,840.
fig. 22
Although we have sold many Doulton Lambeth stoneware figure groups by George Tinworth we were still surprised when the ‘School Board’ menu-holder by George Tinworth (fig. 25) flew past its estimate of £1,000-1,500 selling to a private collect for £4,880 after ferocious bidding on sale day. A rare grotesque jar and cover (fig. 26) dated October 1900 estimated at £30,000-35,000 realised the highest price on the day. Setting a new auction world record for a single piece of Martinware it sold for £61,000 to a private collector via an agent.
fig. 24
The highlight of the very strong section of studio pottery was a small consignment of Lucie Rie pottery from the Berkeley Gallery, the main gallery which promoted Lucie’s works after the war. The bowl (fig. 27) was finely potted and covered in a rich, pure white glaze and sold to a private Japanese collector for £8,300. The 27th February 20th Century Design auction will include another selection of some 100 lots of studio pottery including work by Lucie Rie and Hans Coper.
fig. 23
fig. 25 fig. 26
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fig. 27
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FreyA yuAN Freya Yuan was introduced to John Axford in the Asian Art department in Hong Kong whilst working as a PA for a regular client. After expressing a keen interest in the company, and in learning more about Chinese ceramics in particular, she was appointed as a consultant, translator and our Chinese press correspondent. In a first for Woolley and Wallis, she translated the main November Asian Art catalogue into Chinese. Could you describe how you came to be interested in the auction industry? I was born in Shanghai, but have studied in England since I was sixteen. While I was at university (studying for an International Business Management degree at Oxford Brookes) I would return to China during the summer break and work for a Shanghai auction house, which I really enjoyed. This sparked an interest in porcelains of the Ming and Qing dynasties, particularly of the Yongzheng period, which has just grown over time. After graduating I moved to London and studied Chinese History of Art. When the client I was working as a PA for introduced me to John I was really keen to get involved with Woolley and Wallis. I was already aware of the company’s strong reputation for Chinese Art both in the UK and in the Far East, so I’m very excited to now be working as part of the Asian Art team. How difficult is it to translate the Asian Art catalogues? Although my English is very good, I found it takes some time to find the correct translation of specific terms. Many Chinese words have several meanings and, especially where quite subjective descriptive words are concerned, it can be very challenging to find the correct one. It’s not as simple as translating into a European language as Chinese works in a completely different way. But I really enjoy hunting down the right Chinese characters; I am something of a perfectionist! What other things will you be doing for Woolley and Wallis? I’ve already been working quite closely with the Marketing department to raise our profile in the Far East. The department has already been advertising in Hong Kong and mainland China publications, and I’d like to build on that. The Chinese are very strong on technology and so I will be working on the website to try and increase traffic from buyers in the Far East. I have also started a Woolley and Wallis account on ‘Weibo’, which is the Chinese equivalent of Twitter. Chinese speakers can follow our updates regularly and we can upload relevant photos of forthcoming lots and links to our website and news articles that mention us. Outside of the marketing, I speak regularly to our Chinese-speaking clients; helping to answer any queries they have and providing more information about our sales and the lots in the auctions. It was very exciting to take part in Asian Art in London this year and to use that to build new relationships with clients within the expanding Chinese market. Woolley and Wallis is now available on Weibo at http://weibo.com/johnaxford 新浪微博
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SpecialiSt departMeNtS
Tel: +44 (0)1722 424500 Fax: +44 (0)1722 424508 enquiries@woolleyandwallis.co.uk www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Salisbury Salerooms ltd.
chairman insurance & probate valuations
deputy chairman asian art
Paul Viney ASFAV Tel: +44 (0)1722 424502
John Axford MRICS ASFAV Tel: +44 (0)1722 424506
paulviney@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
johnaxford@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Managing director
20th century design
Clive Stewart-Lockhart Tel: +44 (0)1722 424598
Michael Jeffery Tel: +44 (0)1722 424505
csl@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
michaeljeffery@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
english & european ceramics & glass
asian art
Clare Durham Tel: +44 (0)1722 424507
Sophie Lister Tel: +44 (0)1722 424591
claredurham@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
sophielister@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
paintings
paintings
Victor Fauvelle Tel: +44 (0)1722 424503
Jo Butler Tel: +44 (0)1722 424592
victorfauvelle@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
jobutler@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Furniture & works of art clocks, Barometers & Scientific instruments
Furniture & works of art
Will Hobbs Tel: +44 (0)1722 339752
Mark Richards Tel: +44 (0)1722 411854 markrichards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
willhobbs@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Silver
Silver
Rupert Slingsby Tel: +44 (0)1722 424501
Lucy Chalmers Tel: +44 (0)1722 424594
rupertslingsby@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
lucychalmers@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Jewellery
Jewellery
Jonathan Edwards FGAA Tel: +44 (0)1722 424504
Marielle Whiting FGA Tel: +44 (0)1722 424595
jonathanedwards@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
mariellewhiting@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
clocks and watches Richard Price (Consultant) Tel: +44 (0)1722 339752 richardprice@woolleyandwallis.co.uk
www.woolleyandwallis.co.uk