Fine Art Auction Preview

The next Fine Sale promises to be a comprehensive affair with all the usual categories. There is a fine array of silver, some stunning jewellery and watches, and a good collection of pictures. There is also some great ceramics, works of art and clocks as well as a good selection of furniture.

Frederick Richard Lee (1798-1879) - Engineers on Plymouth Breakwater, View To the Great Mew Stone in the Distance (FS48/429) offered in our Two Day Fine Art Sale starting on 13th October 2020 at our salerooms in Exeter, Devon.

Day One of the Quarterly Fine Art Sale sees the silver being offered, with a George III silver coffee pot (FS48/188), maker Daniel Smith & Robert Sharp, London 1780 inviting bids of £600-£800 and a French silver part flatware service (FS48/154) comprising of eleven table forks, a dessert fork, fifteen tablespoons, three dessert spoons, twelve teaspoons and a sterling silver strainer carries a pre-sale estimate of £900-£1,200.

A George III Silver Coffee Pot, Maker Daniel Smith & Robert Sharp, London, 1780 (FS48/188).

A French Silver Part Flatware Service (FS48/154).

Jewellery follows, with a good strong section of rings, necklaces, earrings, brooches, watches etc including a lady's Cartier stainless steel 'Tank Francaise' quartz wristwatch (small model) (FS48/223). Contained in its original fitted box, the estimate is £1,200-£1,500, whilst a diamond single stone ring (FS48/359) with a cushion shaped modified old brilliant-cut diamond weighing 7.14 cts is inviting bids of £22,000-£24,000.

Cartier. A Lady's Stainless Steel 'Tank Francaise' Quartz Wristwatch (FS48/223).

A Diamond Single-stone Ring (FS48/359).

The final section to go under the hammer on Day One of the Quarterly sale are the paintings. Of particular interest is the oil on card by Sir Alfred James Munnings PRA RWS (1878-1959) titled Evening, Mendham (FS48/407). Signed and dated 1903, the pre-sale estimate is £6,000-£8,000. Also, of particular note, is the oil on canvas by Frederick Richard Lee (1798-1879) depicting engineers on Plymouth breakwater, view to the Great Mew Stone in the distance (FS48/429), which is expected to fetch £3,000-£5,000.

Sir Alfred James Munnings PRA RWS (1878-1959) - Evening, Mendham (FS48/407).

Day Two commences with ceramics and glass and a large Chinese famille rose baluster vase (FS48/561) with gilt lion dog handles from the Republic period carries a pre-sale estimate of £1,000-£1,500; whilst a large Sevres (Louis-Philippe) pedestal vase 'Cratere' (FS48/660) the frieze finely painted by Poupart with two named views 'Chateau de Tuileries' and 'Chateau de Twickenham' is estimated at £500-£1,000.

A Large Chinese Famille Rose Baluster Vase (FS48/561).

A Large Sèvres [Louis-Philippe] Pedestal Vase, Vase 'Cratère' (FS48/660).

In the works of art section of the sale, there are many curiosities to choose from, including a Swiss musical bird automaton by Reuge Music (FS48/778), which carries an estimate of £800-£1,000 and a large ebonised Victorian chiming bracket clock in the 17th Century style (FS48/858) at £1,800–£2,200.

Reuge Music - A Swiss Musical Bird Automaton (FS48/778).

A Large Ebonised Victorian Chiming Bracket Clock in the 17th Century Style (FS48/858).

The final section of the sale is furniture including a Victorian black marble and Italian inlaid marble octagonal games table (FS48/1046) being sold together with a manuscript listing the 121 marbles used in the table inlay with a copy list headed 'Sent to Woodleys to be set in table of black marble 18th October 1853'. The estimate is £1,500-£2,000, whilst a 17th Century and later oak refectory table, with an overhanging plank top (FS48/929) is being offered with an estimate of £4,000-£6,000.