January 2018 Fine Art Auction Preview

Published 22nd December 2017

After Arthur Waagen (German; 1833-1898) 'Kabyle Au Retour de La Chasse' (FS37/987) offered in our Three Day Fine Art Sale starting on 22nd January 2018 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

The first fine art sale of 2018 (which starts on Monday, 22nd January 2018) offers some exciting lots over three days, rather than the usual two days.

The reason for the extra day is to accommodate the Flowerday Collection of 18th Century English porcelain – highlights are numerous, but to name a few, there is a matched pair of Chelsea bonbonnieres (FS37/23) modelled as a lady and a gentleman's head, circa 1760, which carry a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£5,000 and a Lowestoft 'Royal' Commemorative mug (FS37/79) with scroll handle, painted in puce, blue, turquoise and yellow with a crown and banner inscribed Long Live The King below a dot, loop and arrow border. Dating from circa 1790–95, this rare piece is estimated at £3,000-£5,000.

A matched pair of Chelsea Bonbonnieres (FS37/23) is on offer as part of the Flowerday Collection.

Another ceramic from the Flowerday Collection: A Lowestoft 'Royal Commemorative' Mug (FS37/79), which carries a pre-sale estimate of £3,000 to £5,000.

Day Two of the auction on Tuesday, 23rd January 2018 commences with the silver section where a German silver model of a partridge (FS37/284), which bears import marks for Berthold Hermann Muller, London, 1921 is inviting bids of £800-£1,000 and a George II silver tankard (FS37/366), maker Thomas Farren, London 1733 is estimated at £1,000-£1,500.

A German silver partridge by Berthold Hermann Muller (FS37/284).

A George II silver tankard, produced by Thomas Farren of London in 1733 (FS37/366).

There are some beautiful pieces in the jewellery section of the auction including a Cartier two tone 'Panthere' ring (FS37/528), signed Cartier and number 642684 and 54. The gross weight is 14grms and the pre-sale estimate is £800-£1,000. A 20th Century diamond solitaire ring (FS37/531) is another stunning piece on offer. The circular brilliant cut diamond is estimated to weigh 2cts and bids of £5,500–£6,000 are invited.

A Cartier two-colour 'Panthere' ring (FS37/528).

A 20th Century diamond solitaire ring (FS37/528), which is inviting bids of £5,500-£6,000.

The final section of Day Two of the auction is the paintings with many super offerings including The Love Letter by Haynes King (1831-1904) (FS37/609), signed and dated 1872, with an estimate of £3,000-£5,000, whilst another by the same artist titled A Carefree Moment (FS37/610) signed and dated 1889 is expected to fetch £2,000-£3,000. An interesting oil painting by Gustave Alaux (1887-1965) titled The Caribbean Ships Dance (FS37/630), depicting a ship of the line at anchor in the bay beyond and signed lower left is also expected to be sought after with a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£5,000.

Haynes King (1831-1904): The Love Letter (FS37/609).

Haynes King (1831-1904): Carefree Moment (FS37/610).

Gustave Alaux (1887-1965): The Caribbean Ships Dance (FS37/630).

Day Three of the auction on Wednesday, 24th January 2018 commences with the ceramics section. A Galle faience pug 'Monsieur le Comte' (FS37/751) modelled in seated posture wearing a captioned red collar with bells and with inset glass eyes should create much interest. Signed to verso Galle Nancy with indistinct blue St Clement backstamp, this offering from the early 20th Century carries a pre-sale estimate of £800-£1,200, whilst a Wedgwood fairyland lustre vase (FS37/752) decorated in the Rainbow or Bifrost pattern with gold Portland Vase mark is inviting bids of £2,000-£3,000.

A Galle Faience Pug 'Monsieur Le Comte' (FS37/751) features in the ceramics auction.

A Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Vase (FS37/752).

The works of art section has many unusual and rare lots on offer as always, including a fine Japanese ivory and boxwood okimono of Nio slaying oni demons (FS37/900). Signed to a red lacquered tablet Kyokusui and dating from the Meiji period, it is expected to fetch £1,500-£1,800, whilst a bronze after Arthur Waagwen (German; 1833/1898) (FS37/987) titled Kabyle au retour de la chasse is estimated at £10,000-£15,000. An ebonised bell-top bracket clock by Starey, London (FS37/1056) is also expected to prove popular with an estimate of £2,000-£2,500.

A fine Japanese Ivory and Boxwood Okimono of Nio Slaying Oni Demons (FS37/900).

An Ebonised bell-top bracket clock (FS37/1056) by Starey of London.

The final section of this popular auction is furniture and amongst the highlights on offer are a set of four early 19th Century mahogany armchairs in the Hepplewhite taste (FS37/1142). With upholstered stuff over shield shaped backs, padded and moulded arm supports and bowed upholstered stuff over seats, they carry a pre-sale estimate of £2,500-£3,000 and a 17th Century and later oak tester bed (FS37/1112) carries a pre-sale estimate of £800-£1,200.