October 2016 Fine Art Auction Preview
Published 26th September 2016
The silver section of the October 2016 Fine Sale offers something for the person who has everything: Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood has the perfect gift – a Victorian silver cucumber cutter in the form of a saw (FS32/77) by the maker Atkin Brothers of Sheffield, dating from 1889. This unusual item, contained in a fitted case, carries a pre-sale estimate of £250-£300.
If your taste is more traditional then perhaps the George V silver four piece part tea and coffee service (FS32/34) by Mappin & Webb is worth a look. Weighing 260.16ozs, this weighty service dated London 1819 is expected to fetch between £3,000-£5,000 and, for collectors of novelty items, the Edward VII silver pin cushion in the form of a pig (FS32/65), together with a smaller pig, is estimated at £200-£250.
There are some beautiful items of jewellery on offer too. A diamond five stone ring (FS32/260), the principal stone estimated to weigh 2.5cts, is expected to fetch £4,000-£5,000, whilst a graduated amber coloured bead, single string necklace (FS32/206) is inviting bids of £2,000-£2,500.
Also in this section of the sale is a 22ct gold commemorative medallion of Rt Hon Sir Winston Churchill KG OM CH MP 1874–1965 (FS32/162). Contained in its original fitted case, it is expected to realise £3,000-£3,500.
A few of the highlights in the picture section include a portrait of Augustus John by Percy Wyndham Lewis (1882-1957) (FS32/308). The portrait is signed and dated by the artist and signed on the reverse by the sitter. Worked in pencil drawing and heightened with crayon, the pre-sale estimate is £6,000-£8,000, whilst a Self Portrait (FS32/323) by Robert O Lenkiewicz (1941–2002), signed and inscribed, is estimated at £10,000–£15,000.
An oil on canvas laid on panel of North Moreton Church, Berkshire by John Piper (1903-1992) (FS32/337) is inviting bids of £15,000-£20,000.
The ceramics section has some rare and interesting pieces, including a London blue and white delftware fuddling cup (FS32/583), estimated at £1,500-£2,500 and a Worcester (First Period) armorial mug (FS32/636) from circa 1765-70, which has an estimate of £800-£1,200 and a rare Vauxhall blue and white vase (FS32/642), which is estimated at £3,000-£5,000.
For the doll's house collector, there is a gem on offer: an early 19th Century large painted pine doll's house (FS32/740), complete with fixtures, furniture and accessories with an estimate of £8,000-£10,000 and a fine 18th Century bronze sundial by the maker John Bird of London (FS32/759), which carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,500-£2,000.
The final section of the sale is the furniture, where a large contemporary handmade carpet (FS32/961) designed by David Bamford is being offered. With a provenance from Kingsnympton Park in Devon, it carries and estimate of £2,000-£3,000, whilst a fine Victorian, walnut, pollard oak, marquetry and parquetry hexagonal table (FS32/1057) is estimated at £7,000-£9,000.
Another lot with a provenance of Kingsnympton Park that is expected to create interest is a rare set of twelve George II grey painted armchairs in the Chinese Chippendale taste (FS32/1140). Purchased for the house in 1754 from Joshua Lewis of Exeter for £12 Guineas, this unique set is inviting bids of £10,000-£15,000.