LONDON.- Chiswick Auctions has been appointed to sell the contents of a stunning private 16th century home in London. The owner’s passion spanned furniture, jewellery, decorative arts, fine art, lighting, rugs and objects from the last four decades, the majority of which have original receipts of purchase, therefore impeccable provenance. The sale will take place on Tuesday, February 5, 2019.

Regarding the collection, Director Matt Caddick at Chiswick Auctions, stated: “This is one of the most interesting collections we’ve had the pleasure of offering. Everything purchased by the collector was done so because he loved the piece and it was the best example of its kind, and as each was looked after so well, it’s meant that their condition is stunning. His house was the perfect backdrop to house such items and we hope that these works will go on to be cherished as much as they were by their original owner.”

Amongst the highlights of the collection is a selection of Middle Eastern works, such as a beautiful 19th century mother of pearl, bone and ivory marquetry hardwood cabinet.

Created in in an architectural style to imitate Nasrid buildings, the interior was inspired by the Sala de los Reyes at the Alhambra Palace in Granada and features intricately pierced and carved polylobed arches, Moorish star-shaped and geometric wall panels and exquisite calligraphic bands. The sides are carved with the Nasrid dynasty’s motto and it is further embellished with fine marquetry work of stars, geometric motifs, decorative bands and calligraphy. The cabinet also features several secret drawers and compartments in its supporting desk. It is estimated to fetch £6,000-£8,000.

An Iranian Qajar gold-damascened and silver-inlaid steel helmet, shield and armguard dating from the 19th century is an unusual addition to the sale. Heavily inlaid and decorated with intricate floral and calligraphic cartouches on a background of floral tendrils, each part of the set features a very similar design, which is rare, suggesting they were designed for the same person. It is estimated to fetch £3,000-£5,000.

The sale features three sets of 19th century richly embroidered velvet wall hangings from the Hijaz, Ottoman Provinces. They display various Arabic greetings and combine highly-decorative silk and metallic threads and silk velvet. The designs are based on those seen on their pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca – a trip that every Muslim wishes to make in their lifetime. The hangings’ designs would have represented status, in showing that the owners had been able to make this aspirational trip. They are estimated at £2,000-£3,000 a pair.

Furniture in the sale includes a fine 19th century brown leather button-upholstered three-seater sofa with relief carved arm scrolls that depict eagles attacking serpents. It is raised on carved ball and claw feet and estimated to fetch £3,000-£5,000. A stylish early 20th century Heal’s Macassar ebony and ivory inlaid cabinet, featuring a central cupboard flanked by glazed doors. It is estimated at £800-£1,200.

Amongst a selection of Japanese works in the sale is a late 19th/early 20th century Japanese bronze and ivory female figure of a female wearing a yukata (summer kimono) loosely, adjusting her coiffure. It was cast by the respected Tokyo-based artist Izumi Seijo II (1865-1937) and also worked on by Izumi Seijo and Kaneda Kenjiro. Of museum quality his works are highly sought-after and of exquisite quality and detail. The figure is estimated to fetch £5,000-£8,000.

Chinese works are well-represented, with a late Qing Dynasty Chinese square hardwood table being one of the highlights. Decorated in relief on all sides with carved dragons to all four corners at the top of the shaped legs, it is estimated to fetch £500-£800. An impressive double-sided room divider in oil on canvas depicts Fu, Lu, Shou, the gods of three stars and three qualities of Prosperity (Fu), Status (Lu), and Longevity (Shou). The painted pictorial panels are raised on a lacquered wooden base, with carved and painted decoration. It features iron loop carry handles and is estimated to fetch £400-£600.

Within the lighting section of the sale is a stunning Tiffany style lamp with a coloured glass shade decorated with poppies. It has a bronze base designed as a lily pad and is estimated to fetch £1,500-£2,000.

The collection features a strong paintings section, including a watercolour by the Belgian artist Louis Haghe (1806-1885) titled: ‘A corner of the Khan Al-Khalili bazaar, Cairo with the Al-Azhar mosque beyond’. The work was created in 1850 and is inscribed: ‘L. Haghe 1850’. It is estimated at £800-£1,200.

Also in the sale is an oil on canvas titled: ‘At the Hamam’ by British artist William A. Breakspeare (1855-1914), which is estimated to fetch £5,000-£8,000. ‘A Summer Frolic’ in oil on canvas, by British artist William Dring (1904-1990) dates from 1931 and is estimated to fetch £800-£1,200.

Elsewhere in the sale is a bronze figure of a seated nude by Lucien Charles Edouard Alliot (1877-1967) from circa 1920s. It is inscribed on the base and sits on a marble plinth. It is estimated at £1,800-£2,500. A charming alabaster and bronze figure of a seated nude lacing her sandle by the sculptor Ernst Seger dates from circa 1920 and is signed ‘Prof Ernst Seger’. It is raised on yellow marble plinth base and is estimated to fetch £1,500-£2,000.