GAZETTE DISS AUCTION ROOMS GAZETTE SUMMER 2015 ISSUE 45
Meet the Artist page 2 Silver with Antiques pages 4 and 5
Meet the Artist. Martin Wall Born in Liverpool Christmas day. Essentially self taught, although I took A level Fine Art in 2005/6 and received the highest mark in the UK. My background is mechanical engineering and production in the Oil and Gas industry. I work from my studio, a self built log cabin, working in a variety of media specialising in Acrylic on canvas. I also use digital photography and digital image making alongside my painting. I take my inspiration from many sources including the Norfolk landscape and
the contrasting industrial oil and gas industry. I also enjoy Portraiture, Abstraction and Photography. I love to view other artists’ work as this is always inspirational. All visual art
An example of Martin’s work “Bridge to St Paul’s”
forms can and should be viewed on different levels, some work warrants a more profound view point than others, just like the artists who have created it. Looking at an image created by another human being is like viewing their thoughts. We are all different, this is why
art is so exciting: it is the closest thing to telepathy you can get. Having so thoroughly enjoyed the experience of designing and making three Gorillas during the 2013 trail (Batgril, Ironman & Bradley Wiggins) I was thrilled to be given another opportunity, through the sponsorship of TW Gaze, to support Break. My work can be found on my website,
www.martinjwall.co.uk
How to Trail your Dragon… There has been the presence of at least one dragon in Norwich since the 15 t h Centur y. It can be found car ved into the outstanding crown post roof of Dragon Hall, a magnificent medieval merchant’s trading hall built under the direction of Robert Toppes. During the summer it will be joined by scores more, displayed throughout the city on an exciting artistic sculpture trail. Following on from the success of the Go Elephants parade in 2008 and Go Go Gorillas two years ago, it has been organised by leading arts and education company Wild in Art and local charity Break. Residents and visitors will encounter dragons in Norwich’s streets, parks and open spaces and can venture forth to locate as many as possible. The culmination of the interactive exhibition trail will be a grand fund-raising auction to be held at The Forum in Norwich on 1 October. Highly experienced at selling both elephants and gorillas, we at TW Gaze are delighted to have been appointed as auctioneers for the evening and Director Mike Sarson will again take to the rostrum for the prestigious event. Meanwhile, TW Gaze has also sponsored a dragon for the trail and we take great pleasure in introducing “Bling”, painstakingly decorated by artist Martin Wall to amazing effect. Bling will be bringing glamour to Norwich centre and whilst we could divulge the location, we don’t wish to spoil your fun! The trail and accompanying features promises to be a wonderful activity for everyone and superb entertainment for children. Thank you for generously supporting a significant local charity.
Elizabeth Talbot & Martin Green (Go Go Dragons) unveil Bling Friday 29 May 2015
Where does the By Lisa West
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In truth an object can be valued on many different levels and for several different reasons; amongst other things it can be judged on its commercial nature, its fashionability, its practicality and usefulness, its collectability, its market value, its replacement value, it decorative value, its historic value, its rarity value and of course, its sentimental value. None of these are mutually exclusive but neither does one element automatically lead to another; an object may be beautiful and possess historic importance but yet yield surprisingly little in monetary terms (often the fate of random archaeological finds) or a piece may be generally considered ugly but is prized for its unique qualities. On the other hand, combine several of these characteristics in a single object and the results can be most rewarding; fuelled by interested parties competing to acquire the item and motivated by conflicting reasons,
prices achieved (especially at auction) can be very exciting. Perfect illustrations of some of these principles will be for sale in the next auction of Silver with Antiques to be held by TW Gaze in Diss on Friday 12th June. Consigned for this sale are four items which possess the basic intrinsic value of the silver from which they are fashioned, with the addition of local social history value. Consisting of a cigarette case, a cigarette box, a salver and a tray, this little collection documents part of the public lives of Alexander and Archibald Moffat and their contributions to Ipswich and its environs. Alexander Moffat, (often known as Alec, 1879 -1974) and his family lived at 108, Rectory Road, Ipswich. He became assistant Town Clerk under William Bantoft and later (1926 – 1946) Town Clerk. He was awarded an O.B.E. and
true value of an object lie? there is a street named after him in Ipswich. Archibald (Arch, 1884 – 1968) was a keen member of the St John’s Ambulance, Gippeswyk Brigade and the Ipswich Swimming Club. The brothers, their father John and other members of the Moffat family were keen photographers and recorded life in Ipswich and the local area, capturing some scenes now long gone, including of the docks in their busy heyday. For present day historians, the Moffat Collection held by Suffolk Record Office, which consists of a photographic album, glass negatives and prints, is an important resource. The engraved inscriptions on the silver ware identify significant presentations to the men and variously reference their association with H.M.T.E Shotley, H.M.S Ganges and the Mayors, Aldermen, Councillors and Magistrates of Ipswich.
Whilst handsome and solid in a suitably masculine way, none of these items can be described as beautiful. Decorative appeal can add value to an object, as exampled by an unusually large perfume flask in the same sale. Assayed in Birmingham in 1890, the form and design of this late Victorian piece is most attractive and the relative rarity will increase interest from avid collectors of scent bottles. Condition on this is also exceptional. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and sometimes quirky style attracts attention more than conventional good looks. Also being offered for sale is an unusual bowl fashioned as two tufted ducks. Bearing silver import marks for London 1905, it is striking in design and realistically detailed. This might appeal to wild-life
enthusiasts or interior designers alike and hopefully the bidding will fly high.
D. These lots and many, many more items of silver will be available to view on Thursday 11th June, 2- 8pm and on the morning of Friday 12th June from 8.30am. The auction will begin at 10.30am. Please see www.tgaze.co.uk for further details or telephone Lisa West on 01379 650306.
A.A silver cigarette box engraved with a presentation inscription re H.M.T.E. Shotley. London 1913. £80 – 120 B.A silver cigarette case with striped engine-turned decoration, engraved internally re H.M.T.E Shotley. London 1920. By Goldsmiths & Silversmiths Company. £80 -120 C. A silver salver of shaped square form, engraved with a presentation inscription re HMS Ganges. London 1934. £200 – 300 D. A late Victorian silver cornucopia-shaped scent flask. Birmingham 1890. £600 - 800 E. A late 19th C silver bowl fashioned as a pair of tufted duck. By Berthold Muller. Import marks for London 1905. £600 - 800
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Vintage Industrial Furniture When we listed a sale called Vintage Industrial Furniture several of our patrons felt compelled to ask “What’s that?” A similar reaction to when we launched Modern Design 15 years ago. In fact it shares several parallels with its well established cousin. Primarily they are both about simplicity of form. However with the Industrial examples a degree of robustness will have been built into the design. Be that a desk made of metal withstanding workshop tools crashing about, or chairs and benches designed to endure generations of wanton misuse. The palette also varies. Modern design exploited materials with colours outside of the normexotic woods alongside a spectrum of plastics and fabrics. Whilst the furniture from industry employed more shades of grey than EL James could ever have imagined. As well as industrial interpretations of household furniture it is also about reinventing objects from a commercial background into a domestic equivalent. A wirework cage from a postal sorting office re-born as a sideboard, or two machinists stools preforming the role of jardinière stands. So utilitarian, unique and robust certainly, but when combined with the beautiful things in your life, absolutely a look of the moment.
Next Sale Friday 28 August 9.30am in The Blyth Barn Contact Lawrence Baynes or Louis Smith
Lowestoft Porcelain – East Anglian Heritage The wares produced by the Lowestoft factory in the 18th Century are some of the most sought after porcelain amongst collectors of antique examples. The exciting thing is we can claim this as our local heritage and TW Gaze is privileged on occasion to be instructed to sell private collections. The Lowestoft porcelain factory was founded in 1757 by a group of local businessmen headed by Philip Walker. The factory followed many of Worcester’s patterns; (going as far as placing the famous crescent mark on the bases of the wares) however it developed very unique characteristics that separate it from the rest of the 18th Century producers. The Lowestoft porcelain body contained animal bone ash as a replacement to
Kaolin and is similar to that of Bow porcelain with its soft chalky white appearance, except that Lowestoft has a translucency generally glowing light straw colour when held up to strong light. Due to the highly absorbent nature of the unfired porcelain body Lowestoft wares with underglaze blue decoration needed to be painted and fired quickly or else the blue would run and in some extreme cases patterns become abstract. The factory produced both polychrome wares and blue and white Worcester / Chinese inspired products. Unlike many of its competitors Lowestoft did not chase the London market and instead sold wares to the local area as well as enjoying keen trade with Holland. Souvenir wares titled ‘Trifle from Lowestoft’ were produced along with
special commissions for local families often celebrating significant dates, which today are some of the most sought after pieces of 18th Century porcelain. The factory survived until 1799 outliving many of its competitors and in its later years produced wares decorated in the Newhall style.
We are pleased to offer a selection of pieces in our Saturday select sale on 11 July and would welcome enquiries if you are interested in investing in Lowestoft porcelain or indeed, have any to sell.
The Saturday Select Sale Saturday 11 July
Jewellery Friday 26 June Contact Lisa West for details A suite of Somalian gold jewellery comprising pierced floral panel bracelet, matching necklace, pendent necklace, brooch/pendant, ring ÂŁ4,500-5,000
Diary Dates June & July are always busy months at the Auction Rooms and this year is no different with sales for all our specialists to get their teeth into. Should any of these sales interest you please contact us today so we can ensure you speak to the best valuer for your consignment.
How to trail your Dragon 2... Getting
Friday 19 June Thursday 25 June Friday 26 June Saturday 27 June Thursday 2 July Friday 3 July Friday 10 July Saturday 11 July
Modern & Collectable Toys Property Auction Jewellery with Antiques Militaria Clocks & Watches Wines & Spirits with Antiques Antiques The Saturday Select Sale
involved
visit gogodragons.co.uk to find all you need to know about getting involved. News on the dragon trail in Norwich and, later in the year, details of how to book your tickets for the auction at the Forum will also be published via twitter @gogodragons. There is lots going on already.
Full scale Involvement We are working harder than ever to raise money for Break and this year have introduced a special account so you can help us reach our donation target. Any lots you wish to sell on behalf of this worthy cause can now be sold by auction on our Charity of the Year account.We will sell them free of charge and pass the proceeds on to Break. This account is running whilst the trail is live in Norwich (June-Sept 2015) GAZETTE Issue 45/summer’15
TW Gaze LLP , Diss Auction Rooms, Diss, Norfolk IP22 4LN 01379 650 306 auctions@twgaze.co.uk www.twgaze.co.uk