A fascinating Private Collection of Militaria and Ethnographica from around the world exceeded all expectations when it sold in a single-owner sale at Tennants Auctioneers on 29th September for a total hammer price of £84,920. The collection was formed by the late De Weledg. Heer P. Lamaison Van Heenvliet (1857-1941), a civil servant, financial expert and avid collector from Rotterdam.
News & Insights
A global collection draws in international bidders
Specialist Oonagh Drage said of the sale: ‘Private collections with provenance always appeal at auction, and this sale was no exception. With all lots ‘fresh to the market’ and many rare pieces, it was a tempting sale for collectors. International interest was certainly piqued, and over a quarter of buyers came from overseas’.
The top lot of the sale was a Japanese 17th century Edo Period black lacquer shield painted with a coat of arms and monogram, which had attracted much interest before the sale. Multiple bidders in the room, online and on the telephones battled over this rare item, driving the bidding up to a final hammer price of £6,200. Another lot hailing from Japan sold notably well too at £4,800 – an 18th century Edo Period suit of armour from the Tokugawa clan, a powerful Japanese family and the last to rule as Shoguns or military rulers in the 18th century.
Highlights of the Western arms on offer included a Colt Model 1855 Revolving ‘British’ Percussion Carbine, which sold for £4,200, and an early 19th century Naval Dirk which sold for £3,000.
Ethnographica from South East Asia and the South Pacific saw good prices too, with a Moro Kampilan, complete with tufts of human hair from Sulu in the Philippines selling for £1,500, an Indonesian 19th/20th century carved wood Hampatong type figure selling for £1,300, and a 19th century Fijian Pole Club selling for £1,100.
Lamaison was very charismatic, and was well connected amongst Dutch society. Amongst his circle of friends were diplomats, colonialists and merchants, whom helped him build his extensive collection by sending him exotic items from their travels around the world. With spears, clubs, shields, guns and knives from far flung corners of the globe, the collection was an extraordinary record of not only tribal and military artefacts, but of one man’s dedication to his interests.
The sale resulted in a total hammer price of £84,920 with 99% of the 177 lots sold.
We are currently accepting lots for the next sale of Militaria and Ethnographica on 13th December, please contact us on 01969 623780 or enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk for details.
The top lot of the sale was a Japanese 17th century Edo Period black lacquer shield painted with a coat of arms and monogram, which had attracted much interest before the sale. Multiple bidders in the room, online and on the telephones battled over this rare item, driving the bidding up to a final hammer price of £6,200. Another lot hailing from Japan sold notably well too at £4,800 – an 18th century Edo Period suit of armour from the Tokugawa clan, a powerful Japanese family and the last to rule as Shoguns or military rulers in the 18th century.
Highlights of the Western arms on offer included a Colt Model 1855 Revolving ‘British’ Percussion Carbine, which sold for £4,200, and an early 19th century Naval Dirk which sold for £3,000.
Ethnographica from South East Asia and the South Pacific saw good prices too, with a Moro Kampilan, complete with tufts of human hair from Sulu in the Philippines selling for £1,500, an Indonesian 19th/20th century carved wood Hampatong type figure selling for £1,300, and a 19th century Fijian Pole Club selling for £1,100.
Lamaison was very charismatic, and was well connected amongst Dutch society. Amongst his circle of friends were diplomats, colonialists and merchants, whom helped him build his extensive collection by sending him exotic items from their travels around the world. With spears, clubs, shields, guns and knives from far flung corners of the globe, the collection was an extraordinary record of not only tribal and military artefacts, but of one man’s dedication to his interests.
The sale resulted in a total hammer price of £84,920 with 99% of the 177 lots sold.
We are currently accepting lots for the next sale of Militaria and Ethnographica on 13th December, please contact us on 01969 623780 or enquiry@tennants-ltd.co.uk for details.
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