LONDON.- A visual feast, View Over St. Jamess Square: A Private Collection reflects the diverse interests of a couple whose passion for quality and craftsmanship brought together paintings, furniture and works of art from a broad range of cultural influences and geographies. This online sale will go live to view on 24 February, ahead of being open for bids from 3 until 17 March. Highlights will be on public view at 8 King Street from 9 to 17 March.
At the core of the collection is a group of Old Master paintings and European decorative arts from the 18th and 19th centuries. They range from a pair of Italian temple capricci attributed to Pier Francesco Garoli (estimate: £50,000-80,000), a pair of Mediterranean coastal landscapes with fishermen by Carlo Bonavia (estimate: £50,000-80,000) and a three-quarter Portrait of Bartolomeo Compagni by Pier Francesco Foschi (estimate: £30,000-50,000), to a French Empire silver part dinner-service comprising 75 pieces (estimate: £40,000-60,000), an elegant pair of North Italian neoclassical marquetry commodes (estimate: £30,000-50,000) and a pair of Italian glazed terracotta busts of the Roman emperors Galba and Otho by Angelo Minghetti (estimate: £25,000-40,000).
Beautiful objects from around the world include: a Russian Imperial malachite table (estimate: £20,000-30,000) and a glittering Fabergé silver table service (estimate: £20,000-30,000); a Japanese patinated-bronze Koro (incense burner) signed Suzuki Masayoshi, Meiji Period (late 19th century) (estimate: £40,000-60,000), precious lacquer ware (with estimates ranging from £2,000 to £10,000), and Japanese ceramics (with estimates ranging from £800 to £15,000); a languid bronze leopard by the South African sculptor Dylan Lewis (estimate: £20,000-30,000); and bronzes from China (with estimates ranging from £1,000 to £15,000).
Amelia Walker, Specialist Head of Private & Iconic Collections, Christies London: Christies is delighted to offer this diverse private collection for sale from a property at the heart of St. Jamess, just a stones throw from Christies London headquarters. The collectors brought together these works of art with an eclectic and discerning eye, creating a glamourous, colourful and comfortable home for their family. With such a wide range of paintings and decorative arts on offer, many with distinguished earlier provenances, there is something for everyone. Estimates range from £800 to £80,000, and several items will be offered without reserve.