Arts & Antiques

A notable royal exception

JUBILEEbiscuit tins, God Save the Queen tea towels Union Jack coffee mugs. From teapots to toilet roll holders, just about every significant regal event from Queen Victoria’s Coronation in 1838 onwards has been greeted with an avalanche of mass-produced tat that would shame any jumble sale.

The old saying that if a job is worth doing it’s worth doing well, seems to have bypassed the makers of royal memorabilia down the decades and for once justifiably, their wares are normally worth next to nothing.

Even pieces made for the Coronation of Edward VIII, who famously abdicated before it could to place, sell for just a few pounds at best. There is however, one noble exception. In 1936 Wedgwood, the famous Staffordshire firm of potters, decided to mark the coronation that would never happen by issuing a souvenir mug which, in artistic terms, would be equal to the historic event. The artist they commissioned to design it was a surprising choice for the 200year-old firm.

Eric Ravilious (1903-42) was one of the foremost English modern artists to emerge between the wars. He was young and full of fresh ideas. In an all too brief career, he produced an extraordinary amount of work; murals, watercolours, wood engravings, and designs for glass and pottery.

The coronation mug was a showcase for Ravilious’ talent. It featured a lion and unicorn in shaded silhouette surrounded by colourful fireworks and ‘E R’ worked in a bold typeface. The mug was an instant success (even Mrs Simpson bought one) but was hastily withdrawn as soon as the abdication was announced.

Undaunted, Ravilious simply re-worked the design for George VI’s Coronation the following year. On the outbreak of the Second World War he became an Official War Artist and lost his life in the service of his country at the age of only 39. Today his work is rightly celebrated and original mugs fetch upwards of £600 at auction. All in all, a far more tasteful way of commemorating a royal milestone and not a Union Jack in sight.

Clevedon Salerooms’ next specialist sale (for which further entries are invited) will be held on June 9th. For details of this and other sales, together with information about valuation days at the saleroom and other locations, please visit the website www.clevedonsalerooms.com

Back together for Easter

Pictured (l to r) David Wall, Jane Crozier, Trina Pope, Jan West, Pam Williams, John Chivers, David Turner and Jake Jefferies

MEMBERSof Compton Dando Art Group made up for the cancellation of their Christmas lunch by holding one for Easter at the Compton Inn.

Group leader, Sonia Priest, said: “It made such a pleasant change to be able to meet up socially after such a long break because of the Covid situation.”

The group meets weekly and will celebrate its 17th anniversary in July. New members are welcome.

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Art group welcomes new members

Blagdon Art Group

BLAGDONArt Group says it would like to share its love of painting by inviting others to join the group, which meets every Thursday in St Andrew’s Church, one group in the morning group and another in the afternoon.

One of the founder members, Margaret Avery, said: “No previous experience is necessary and everyone is welcome. Come and join this friendly group and re-discover your hidden talent, or find a new one.”

One member, Belinda May, said: “It’s very therapeutic and we all support each other, as well as enjoying a coffee and a chat.”

The group enjoys occasional trips, and recently visited the Eden Project as well as a few galleries. It supports the church through sales, including a percentage each year from the Chew Valley Arts trail.

Jeff Martin

Mendip Auction Rooms supporting Ukraine

THE team at Killens will be staging an Auction of Promises on Thursday 26 May at 7pm in support of those refugees who have travelled to Somerset to flee the war and the British Red Cross Ukraine Crisis Appeal.

Details of promises and items to sell can be emailed to the auction rooms at enquiries@mendip auctionrooms.co.uk.

Tom Killen stated "Many people have felt so helpless in watching the events unfold in Ukraine and the terrible suffering endured by the Ukrainian people. We want to show our support and are delighted to be staging this auction in support of these two worthy causes. We hope that individuals and businesses will get behind this auction by entering and buying promises and items."

During May, three other sales will be staged with a large entry of silver and jewellery included in the sale of Fine Art and Antiques on Saturday 14th May. On 10th and 24th May, sales of Interiors and Collectables will be held. Looking beyond May, June also promises to be busy with a large private collection of model trains and toys being included in the Antiques sale on 16th June including scratch built kits, also an ‘O’ gauge steam tank. Further entries are invited.

Are you looking to sell items? Valuations can be undertaken on a drop in basis at the auction rooms between 10am and 3pm each weekday and Killens have professional valuers and experts on hand to advise. Alternatively, valuers are able to conduct free home visits.

Contact the team at Killens on 01749 840770 or email enquiries@mendipauctionrooms.co.uk for further assistance