LONDON.- The Decorative Works of Art auction run by specialist Matthew Barton on 19th November will have a rich variety of treasures from all over the world, with over 350 lots spanning many centuries and styles. The sale will comprise of English and Continental Ceramics, Works of Art, silver, jewellery and Objects of Vertu.
Highlights include:
A pair of Victorian parcel-gilt-silver and enamel Graeco-Pompeian 1862 International Exhibition Wine Coolers, Elkington & Co, Birmingham. Designed by August Adophe Willms (1827 – 1899). Estimate: £20,000 - £30,000.
These dazzling ornate pieces are one of the show stealers at Matthew Barton’s next Decorative Works of Art sale at 25 Blythe Road. Enamelled in red, black and pale blue, they are decorated with palmettes and scrolls, with vines and straps separating the silver ovals of dancing Bacchanalian figures of satyrs playing pipes, holding wine cups and shaking tambourines.
This Graeco-Pompeian dessert service was shown to great acclaim at the International Exhibition of 1862 held in the enormous hall at South Kensington, London. The service comprised of 13 pieces with one of the coolers illustrated in the monumental work ‘Masterpieces of Industrial Art and Sculpture at the International Exhibition 1862’, by John Burley Waring.
The coolers were acquired from Elkington & Co by the shareholders of Wilson, Sons & Company Ltd in 1898 to present to Edmund Sykes Hett on his retirement from the Chairmanship of the Company that year. They come directly from the family by descent.
From Classical to Biblical; the ceramics section also includes an English Delft charger from the 1700s showing charming and naive profiles of Adam and Eve, carrying an estimate £2000 - £3000. A more dramatic scene skilfully painted on a Castel Durante Istoriato dish, mid 16th century, shows a judgement of King Solomon; a test between rival claimants to an inheritance. The centre scene of 'Shooting the Dead Body' shows Solomon judging two brothers, with a border of satyrs, putti, youths and trophies of war. This has an estimate of £5000 - £8000.
There is also a very good collection of early Meissen including a Chinoiserie teapot and cover, 1723- 1724 £12,000 - £18,000 and porcelain two-handled cups and six saucers £5000-£7000.
The sale also comprises of an interesting collection of Moorcroft pottery. Most pieces are by William Moorcroft who died in 1945 after which the business was carried forward by his son, Walter. There are some pieces from the early 1900s when William worked for James Macintyre before setting up on his own, as well as very attractive and collectable designs amongst the group. These include the Moonlit Blue lamp base and the Pomegranate pattern vases. Estimates range from £300 - £2500
Very ‘dans le vent’ is the coquette ‘Colpi di Venti’ figure by Helen Konig Scavini for Lenci, Italy, in 1936. It is a fantastic example of her highly sought-after work. Estimate is £5000- £7000.
Among the European Works of Art are some handsome drinking vessels. The first a large silver-gilt Regency style George V tankard, 1912, is stamped Garrard & Co with an estimate of £1500 - £2500. A more esoteric 18th century tankard has an ivory sleeve carved with an interpretation of 'The Element of Earth' after the original by Francesco Albani (1578-1660) depicting Cybele, Bacchus, Ceres and Flora on a chariot drawn by lions. The estimate is £1000-£1500.
Chinese Works of Art include a Longquan Celadon Baluster Vase, Yuan/Ming which is £1500-£2000 and a charming pair of late 18th century Chinese cloisonné quail censers and covers with an estimate of £2000-3000. A Chinese porcelain dated plaque mounted as a coffee table, 20th century, with scenes of a mountainous river landscape with houses nestled amongst the rocks, the inscription reads "younger brother Liang Jingsheng presents this gift to his older brother", dated November 15th, 1922 might also stir interest with a tempting estimate of £600- £800.
The jewellery section has antique and vintage pieces; a stunning early 20th century silver-gilt Chinese necklace with a stamped clasp formed as two deities amidst clouds is particularly striking with an affordable estimate of £300 - £500. There is also a good collection of diamond rings, cufflinks, gold bracelets and watches from Patek Philippe, Chopard, Breitling and Omega amongst others, a golden highlight among which is Chopard Gentleman’s gold and diamond set bracelet watch, called ‘Happy Diamonds’ it is £3,000-£5,000.
Among the many pieces of fine English & Continental silver there is a set of four Irish George III silver candlesticks by Richard Calderwood circa 1765, £4000-£6000, and a set of eighteen French Silver-Gilt desert plates, Tetard Freres, Paris, circa 1920s with an estimate of £3,000-£5,000. There is also a stylish linear George V silver Art Deco cocktail shaker, Robert Edgar Stone (1903 – 1990) for Asprey & Co, London, 1936, estimate £800 - £1200.
