South West Fine Art Auction Preview July 2021
Published 2nd July 2021
By Nic Saintey View profile
With the recent television adaptation of Nancy Mitford's The Pursuit of Love, there is sure to be plenty of interest in the enamelled gold and diamond set brooch depicting the Mitford crest (FS50/414), especially as it comes by direct decent from the family.
The Jewellery also has on offer a cracking Art Deco Burmese ruby and diamond mounted cluster ring (FS50/609), estimated at £4,000-£6,000. Staying with famous names, the Silver auction includes two Omar Ramsden lots, the pick being a silver mounted mazer (FS50/241) stamped Omar Ramsden Me Fecit.
On Day Two, the Paintings contain their usual mix of old master and modern works.
The former includes a charming portrait of the five eldest children of Charles I with an enormous Mastiff (FS50/683). Charles and Henrietta Maria had nine children in all. The last, named Henrietta, was born here in Exeter in 1644. Whilst the image reflects familial happiness, most of the sitters died young or fled to France during the ensuing civil war.
Winifred Nicholson is positioned at the modern end of the painting spectrum and the sale has an unusual seascape Sea Break (FS50/736), which is painted from a giddying gull's eye perspective.
Keeping with the sea, the Ceramic section has a Flight & Barr Worcester porcelain inkwell (FS50/1010) attributed to the Baxter studio, which is decorated with a sailing barge on choppy seas which has hopes for £600-£800.
The Second Day is completed with works of art and clocks. Amongst the former is an assembly of items belonging to Major General Charles Vyvyan Cox (FS50/1069), which include his medals, uniform and sword amongst other items. Born locally in Stockland in 1819, he had a successful military career primarily in India, being injured, mentioned in dispatches and serving during the 1857 Indian Rebellion. An impressive lot with hopes of achieving £8,000-12,000.
The day finishes with seventy lots of clocks, the best being a very early 18th century walnut marquetry longcase clock (FS50/1312) by London maker Henry de la Fueille.
The final day is completely taken up with 400 lots of furniture and rugs including part one of the Robert Deeley Collection, which contains some wonderful quirky, rustic and statement pieces amongst them an unusual oak table on a sycamore branch base (FS50/1365), which won't break the bank at £150-£250 and a characterful early 18th century yew and walnut chest (FS50/1407) that will certainly cost you more.
However, the most striking piece elsewhere in the section is a Flemish ebonised, scarlet tortoiseshell and ivory inlaid architectural cabinet and stand (FS50/1652) and to help you enjoy a socially distanced summer the sale is completed with plenty of garden furniture.