April 2017 Fine Art Auction Review

Rachel Littlewood reviews the successful April 2017 Fine Art Auction that included a portrait thought to be of Therese Freifau Von Bethmann by Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873), which sold for £155,000. The sale also set a world record for the artist James Dickson Innes (1887-1914).

Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873): A Portrait of A Lady (thought to be Therese Freifrau Von Bethmann, nee Freiin Vrints V Treuenfeld) (FS34/593) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 11th April 2017 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Franz Xaver Winterhalter (1805-1873): A Portrait of A Lady (thought to be Therese Freifrau Von Bethmann, nee Freiin Vrints V Treuenfeld) (FS34/593) sold for £155,000.

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.

The sale of The Fairy Mountain (FS34/549) by artist James Dickson Innes (1887-1914) set a world record for the painter, realising £41,000.

Grey Mediterranean (FS34/548), also by painter James Dickson Innes (1887-1914), faired well achieving £15,500.

The success of the Fine Picture Auction continued with the sale of Chance Meeting (FS34/548) by Heywood Hardy (1843-1933) for £9,500 proving this artist is ever popular.

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 Elizabeth II Silver Jug (FS34/32) by Rod Kelly of London produced in 2007 sold for £7,000.

A pear shaped diamond and ruby cluster ring (FS34/418) realised £6,900 in the Jewellery section.

The Jewellery section also saw a late 19th Century graduated diamond Riviere necklace (FS34/348) sell 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.

A fine Barr, Flight & Barr (Worcester) Two-handled Vase (FS34/845) fetched £7,200.

An Art Deco Figure entitled 'The Dancer of Lebanon' by sculptor Demetre H Chiparus (1886-1947) (FS34/1053) realised £5,400 in the April 2017 Fine Art Sale.

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.