LONDON.- This December, Christie’s presents Creatures Great and Small, a themed auction that celebrates the animal as artistic inspiration, from domestic pets to the rare, unusual and even the mythical. The sale at Christie’s South Kensington on 17 December 2014 explores a multitude of animals across a diverse range of mediums and styles, from intricate carving details in 19th century furniture through to contemporary sculpture. Taking a tour across the breadth of the animal kingdom – from the farm and woodland, to the sea and the sky, to the jungle and even the arctic tundra – Creatures Great and Small features something for all animal lovers. Estimates range from £400 up to £80,000.

Leading the sale is a larger than life-size Silver Back by Turner Prize nominated artist David Mach (estimate: £60,000-80,000). This two-meter tall gorilla is the third of an edition of three, the first of which holds the Guinness World Record for the largest art installation made entirely from coat hangers. Further contemporary highlights include Graham Sutherland’s Owl (estimate: £8,000-12,000) and a bronze peacock by sculptor Geoffrey Dashwood (estimate: £15,000-25,000). Land and sea creatures are represented in furniture, from a leather upholstered cocktail cabinet in the form of an elephant (estimate: £3,000-5,000) through to an impressive North European carved beech wood dining suite, with the back of each of the eight chairs featuring various animals (estimate: £8,000-12,000).

HIGHLIGHTS
• A life-size metalwork model of a lioness circa 2011, designed by Martin Waller of Andrew Martin. Estimate: £3,000-5,000

• Two leather stools modelled as pugs Second half 20th century, possibly retailed by Liberty Estimate: £800-1,200

• A large bronze model of a peacock, by Geoffrey Dashwood Estimate: £15,000-25,000

• Mark Stoddart, ‘Mother & Baby Hippo’ occasional table, 2000. Estimate: £3,000-4,000

• Natura Harmona and Natura Garula, one of a pair illustrated Spanish School, late 17th century Estimate: £40,000-60,000

• A North European carved beech wood dining suite Second half 20th century Estimate: £8,000-12,000

• Rene Gruau, Butterfly Estimate: £4,000-6,000

• Peter Barrett (b. 1935), African Jungle: Night and Day – Two Diptychs Estimate: £1,000-1,500