Art and antiques from countries as diverse as China, Alaska, America and Australia make their appearance in a very special Summer Catalogue Sale to be held by Tennants Auctioneers of Leyburn in North Yorkshire over two days, 22-23 July 2011.
There are many unique items to be viewed and purchased, and here are just a few of the particularly exciting pieces on offer:
Lot 976A
A pair of walrus tusks with scrimshaw decoration (lot 976A). Although originally derived from whaling station Port Clarence in Alaska they have immediate north eastern UK connections. One of the tusks is engraved with three sailing vessels, comprising HMS Illustrious, HMS Trincomalee and HMS Pilot – HMS Trincomalee (Bombay built for the Admiralty in 1817) is now fully restored at Hartlepool, and this classic British frigate is Britain’s oldest warship still afloat. The ship was sensitively restored in Hartlepool between 1990-2001, a project that received widespread acclaim with the Trust winning an International Maritime Heritage award. The tusks are being sold on behalf of a private vendor in the north of England, whose family have owned them for many generations, and they have accrued a deliciously creamy yellow patination. The tusks are estimated at £4000-6000.
Lot 1340
United States interest is anticipated for an American colonial cherrywood chest of drawers (lot 1340) of a type similar to those made in and around the Connecticut River valley in the late 18th century. A north east vendor has been advised it could fetch at least £1500-2000 and speculatively much more ....
Lot 196
The massive buying power of the Chinese may focus on one of well over 120 lots of Chinese ceramics and works of art in the sale, with one particular Chinese porcelain bowl (lot 196) made under the Emperor Daoguang (1821-1850), with a beautiful yellow ground and floral decoration, expected to draw particularly enthusiastic telephone bidding from Hong Kong and mainland China.
Lot 105
Pottery creamers usually occur in the shape of a cow, but Tennants will offer a much rarer goat creamer (lot 105), consigned by a London client, but made, according to the Tennants experts, at the St Anthony Pottery in Newcastle-upon-Tyne. This bearded creamer may also buck the trend by selling for £1000-1500.
Lot 364
For those fond of tackling shelled nuts, there is a chance to purchase a very rare pair of George III Scottish nutcrackers by Mitchell & Russell of Edinburgh 1815 (lot 364) which despite only weighing 5oz, are expected to make up to £1000. You can buy an awful lot of nuts for that kind of money.
Lot 1078
The clock department boasts a rare James II ebony veneered table timepiece (lot 1078) for his part of the sale – a masterpiece by John Knibb of Oxford (1650-1722) circa 1685. The Knibb family were clockmakers to both King Charles II and subsequently James II. This venerable piece carries hopes of £25,000-35,000.
The highest estimate in the auction rests in the bowl of a rare Chinese carved rhinoceros horn libation cup of circa 1650-1700 (lot 1261), exquisitely formed as a magnolia blossom around which, in cagework form, clamber other diverse plants and dragons. The Chinese have long revered rhinoceros horn for its quality of carving as well as its association with magical powers to detect poison. The UK currently regulates the sale of even such ancient pieces, and it is accompanied by the requisite DEFRA permission letter for sale.
Lot 590
Found amongst a consignment of old scrap silver from a Lancashire client is an attractive Belle Epoque brooch set with diamonds and rubies (lot 590) whose quality should excite considerable interest at £500-800
Lot 654
One of the most fascinating lots in the picture section is not a picture at all, but instead an important archive of material relating to the life and work of Sir Stanley Spencer RA (1891-1959), perhaps one of the 20th century’s greatest religious painters. The archive has come from the Westropp estate, as the Reverend R Michael Westropp and his family lived at the vicarage in Cookham, and were closely involved with the life of the artist. The collection includes documents such as a five page typed manuscript produced by the Westropp family giving details of their long friendship with the artist who was regarded as one of “the children”. There is an original sound recording of Sir Stanley Spencer and a signed exhibition catalogue from the 1959 Cookham Church Exhibition. The collection is expected to sell for between £800-1200 (lot 654).
For further information please contact Adam Schoon or Gussie Wood.