Summer 2018 Fine Art Auction Preview

Published 19th June 2018

This Ming Dynasty Censer is being offered in the June 2018 Sale.

With over 900 lots on offer over the two day fine art auction on 10th/11th July 2018, there are many highlights to choose from, but a few from each section include – On Day One (10th July 2018) within the silver section, a George III silver tankard, (FS39/121) maker John Deacon, London 1772, weighing 25.06ozs, carrying a pre-sale estimate of £800-£1,000 and a pair of George I Irish silver patens (FS39/105), maker John Hamilton, Dublin, 1723, weighing 8.11ozs are inviting bids of £400-£600.

Jewellery follows, with a Regitze Overgaard for George Jensen sterling silver collier necklace (FS39/214) comprising alternate disc and hoop links, together with a matching bracelet. Both with makers mark and stamped '464' this stylish set has a pre-sale estimate of £800-£1,000, whilst a pair of Patek Philippe 18ct white gold Elipse cufflinks (FS39/217) contained in a fitted lacquered wooden box with soft ivory leather interior have an estimate of £1,000-£1,500.

Within the paintings section of the auction is Sir Alfred James Munnings (1878-1959) 'Children playing bagatelle' (FS39/316). This charming watercolour, heightened with white measures, just 20.75cm x 2.500cm and is signed 'AJ Munnings' and dated '98 bottom right. Bids of £6,000-£8,000 are invited for this whilst an oil on canvas by Herbert Davis Richter (1874–1955) titled 'Bathed in sunlight' (FS39/278) depicting a drawing room interior is inviting bids of £1,200-£1,800.

Day Two of the auction commences with the ceramics and glass on 11th July 2018. One of the highlights of this section is the pair of Charles Gouyn, St James's factory 'Girl-in-a-swing' tea canisters and covers (FS39/532), the domed covers with applied strawberry finials, painted overall with floral sprays, insects and a caterpillar. Dating from circa 1750–55 and measuring 13cm in height, these rare examples carry a pre-sale estimate of £10,000-£15,000.

Also of note is a large Chinese yellow ground 'dragon' charger (FS39/437) with Chuxiugong mark, incised and painted in green, white and aubergine with two five-clawed dragons chasing a flaming pearl amongst cloud scrolls and flames within a central medallion, the sides with prunus, peony, chrysanthemum and lotus, the rim with six further dragons and five cranes in flight, with underglaze blue four-character mark 'Chu Xie Gong Zhi' (made for the Chuxiiu Palace), Guangxu period. Despite a crack to the rim with associated filled chip, the charger is expected to fetch £6,000-£8,000.

Moving on to the works of art section of the auction, a Charles II embroidered mirror frame (FS39/594) of arched outline depicting Charles II and Catherine of Braganza under marital canopies with sunshine over a palace to the arch, stag, leopard, unicorn and lion to the corners and flowering shrubs, birds and insects, all worked in coloured silks within a velvet lined cushion frame. The pre-sale estimate is £4,000-£6,000.

A rare Chinese cloisonné enamel and gilt-bronze tripod censer, Ming Dynasty (FS39/607) is also expected to attract attention. This fine censer was purchased at a house sale in Devon, circa 1964/65 by the late husband of the present owner. He attended the sale with the intention of buying a Georgian tallboy, which he did, but when viewing saw the censer, liked the colour of the enamels and purchased it for a modest sum. It was used for several years as a plant pot but after being itemised in the late 1970s insurance valuation, was 'upgraded' to a desk tidy for paper clips and pens. The pre-sale estimate is £10,000-£20,000.

Tags

  • Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood

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