Summary
Our Specialist Maritime Sale that includes all manner of naval artefacts from models, paintings and ships fittings through to scrimshaw, maritime silver, navigation instruments and exploration-related items held at our Westcountry saleroom complex in Exeter.
This auction has 292 fine art lots.
Sale Notes
As the only auctioneers in the West Country to conduct a dedicated Maritime Auction, Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood's forthcoming sale of 11th June 2014 has a good selection of maritime and nautical antiques and pictures.
Among the highlights of the sale is a letter by Admiral Nelson to a Mr Lovel discussing a shipment of a pipe of port (MA14/147) that should attract a great deal of interest as it is dated two years before the Battle of Trafalgar. The Nelson connection continues with two pieces of furniture constructed from the timbers of his first flag ship HMS Foudroyant. The small table (MA14/180) and the larger wall cabinet (MA14/179) were both constructed from reclaimed timber and metalwork by Goodall Lamb & Heighway in the late 19th century. The larger piece is certainly impressive, as it was modelled on the stern of the Foudroyant and deserves its £5,000-£7,000 estimate.
As well as a number of scrimshaw pieces, there is a Bermudan Shellwork Valentine (MA14/135) and a good wool work picture (MA14/133) that are good examples of this type of workmanship.
Included in the sale are several swords and medal groups, which continue to enjoy a strong market. The highlight of this section is the medal group to Admiral Sir George Willies Watson KCB JP (1827-197) (MA14/155). This group also includes a number of personal effects and log detailing ships commanded and ports visited. Such a complete group with provenance should attract bidders to the upper end of the £6,000-£8,000 estimate.
A strong picture section in the sale includes George Mounsey Wheatly Atkinson (MA14/231) and John Steven Dews (MA14/220).