April 2017 Fine Art Auction Review
Published 18th April 2017
It was the paintings section of the auction that provided the top highlights of the April 2017 Fine Art Sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood.
An oil on canvas by Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873) depicting a portrait of a lady, thought to be Therese Freifrau von Bethmann (FS34/593) exceeded all expectations. There was immense interest in the painting prior to the auction and this was carried into the bidding on the day, where it was eventually sold for £155,000 following competitive telephone bidding.
Another artist who proved to be very popular was James Dickson Innes (1887-1914). Bearnes Hampton and Littlewood were offering two paintings by the artist. The Fairy Mountain (FS34/549) an oil on board measuring 22cm x 31.5cm, signed and inscribed and further inscribed on the reverse Horace de Vere Cole, which achieved a world record price for the artist realising £41,000. The other painting by James Dickson Innes (1887-1914) titled Grey Mediterranean (FS34/548) realised £15,500.
Heywood Hardy (1843-1933) proved ever popular, with an oil on canvas titled A chance Meeting (FS34/628), depicting a horseman with a spaniel dog, conversing with a country girl by a spring realising £9,500.
Other highlights of the sale included an Elizabeth II silver jug (FS34/32) (maker Rod Kelly, London 2007) of triangular ovoid form with gilded interior and chased foliate decoration to the exterior. Weighing 42.10ozs, it realised £7,000. A pear shaped diamond and ruby cluster ring (FS34/418) with a pear shaped central diamond weighing 3.9cts sold for £6,900, whilst a late 19th Century graduated diamond riviere necklace (FS34/348) with a total diamond weight of 11.00cts sold for £9,000.
An Art Deco figure by Demetre H Chiparus (1886-1947) (FS34/1053) of 'The Dancer of Lebanon' sold for £5,400 and a fine Barr, Flight & Barr (Worcester) two handled vase of large size (FS34/845) with gilt dolphin and shell handles, painted with a view of Tintern Abbey in Monmouthshire sold for £7,200.
The furniture maker Shapland and Petter of Barnstaple proved popular in the sale too, with an Arts and Crafts settle (FS34/1281) with an inset copper panel 'Welcome Ever Smiles' realising £5,200.
Entries are currently invited for the next Fine Art Sale to be held on 11th/12th July 2017.