NEWBURY.- Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions have a rich and varied selection of Fine Furniture and Works of Art for auction on the 30th of November at Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 2JE. The sale will offer a range of interesting and unique pieces from all over the world, many fresh to market from private UK and European vendors as well as a selection from The Geoffrey Oxborrow Collection and The Peter Arlidge Collection.
From Asia, a late 17th century Goan cedar, ivory and ebony inlaid cabinet on stand (Lot 21, Est: £30,000-£50,000) is an impressive highlight. Decorated overall with an ebony strung design of interlacing circular motifs, the design is embellished with ebony and ivory inlay and features an arrangement of twelve drawers. The stand includes three further drawers and is flanked on all four corners by a carved female term figure (132cm high, 94cm wide, 51cm deep).
Another sale highlight is a South German walnut serpentine fronted desk from the second quarter of the 18th century (Lot 55, Est £4,000-5,000) which was bequeathed by the Major Charles Henry John Chetwynd-Talbot KCVO, 20th Earl of Shrewsbury to the Hon. Mrs E. W.H. Eliot, thence by direct descent to the current owner. The gilt metal handles of this desk incorporate the crowned monogram ‘A R’ and it seems very likely that the initials are for Augustus Rex, of King Augustus II of Poland or his son Augustus III. The monogram was a special mark reserved for objects used by the court of Elector Augustus the Strong, founder of the Meissen factory and later reigning monarch of Poland, King Augustus II. All court pieces were marked with the AR monogram, and occasionally the mark was added to gifts produced for royal visitors. Whilst impossible to conclude for certain that this desk was part of the collection of the Royal House of Saxony, it is interesting to note how the details correlate.
From the same collection is an exquisite venetian green painted and parcel gilt petit commode from the mid-18th century (Lot 19, Est: £800-£1,200). The commode features beautiful carved wood and parcel gilt foliate decoration with a marble veneered top finished with gilt metal mounted edge.
Of importance is a set of George II walnut chairs, circa 1730 (Lot 28). Possibly Irish, each chair is shaped with a rectangular back with slender foliate carved surround. The seats are covered with a beautiful 18th century floral needlework panel, and the legs are finished with carved lion paw feet. The property of the owners of the Downton Estate, Shropshire, the chairs are estimated at £20,000-£40,000, and are one of five lots from the estate that feature in the sale this month.
Other auction highlights include a Louis XV oak armchair, circa 1720 (Lot 20) estimated at £1,000-£1,500; a bronze group of Bacchus and a young faun, early 18th century possibly from possibly workshop of Massimiliano Soldani-Benzi (Lot 10, Est: £6,000-£9,000); a pair of Regency mahogany and brass inlaid wine coolers, circa 1815 (Lot 155, Est: £3,000-£5,000); and a pair of satinwood, crossbanded and marquetry decorated breakfront side cabinets from the 19th century estimated at £8,000-£12,000 (Lot 123).
A notable item to add warmth and colour to any home is a Ushak Carpet (Lot 6), the umber field decorated with geometric motifs in pale, orange and pthalo blue tones with a border decorated with meandering branches. Originating in the city of Usak, Turkey these carpets are known for the silky, luminous wool they woven with (Est: £2,000 - £3,000).
Turning to the African continent, a selection of three striking masks are included in the auction. A highlight is a Punu Mask from Gabon, circa 1930 (Lot 25). The white face of the mask represents the spirit of an ancestor and the hairstyle is a common feature among the Punu women. The mask, from a private French collection, carries an estimate of £7,000-£10,000.
