News & Insights

Forthcoming 20th Century Design

8th September 2023.

The 20th Century Design Sale on 7th October will see over 300 lots come under the hammer, with a strong, rounded offering across the spectrum of 20th Century Design.

There will be over 100 lots alone of furniture and furnishings made by Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson and his workshop, led by a good private collection which includes fine pieces from the 1930s. Highlights of the collection include an English Oak Panelled Dressing Chest and Mirror, made in the 1930s for St Joseph’s Convent, Haunton, Staffordshire (estimate: £2,000-3,000 all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson was commissioned to furnish the convent from 1929-32, and each nun’s cell contained a single door wardrobe, dressing chest, stool, and bed. Also of interest is a good English Burr Oak Panelled Floor Standing Corner Cupboard made in the 1930s (estimate: £2,000-3,000). Further notable lots include an English Oak Monk’s Chair, made in 1937 and adorned with carved crest and coat of arms for the McEvoy family (estimate: £2,000-3,000), and a group of outstanding bespoke items of furniture made in the last 30 years including a huge 6-foot-wide dresser.


A Private Collection from Manchester of ceramics by Pilkington Tile and Pottery Company, comprising 43 lots, will offer a good range of Royal Lancastrian wares and a host of rare tiles. Interesting lots include a set of six Flora’s Train 6” Tiles designed for Pilkington by Walter Crane (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a Royal Lancastrian Relief-Moulded Lustre Tile decorated with a stag and designed by Albert Hall circa 1908 (estimate: £1,000-1,500). Of note to collectors, too, is a set of ten 6” Persian Tiles set as a panel and made circa 1907 (estimate: £300-500).

 

Elsewhere in the sale is a good Art Deco green patinated bronze figure of a nude woman bathing by Jean Ortis (1881-1943) (estimate: £700-1,000), a selection of items made for Liberty & Co., including a pair of Terracotta Planters (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a Tudric Pewter and Glass Flagon designed by Archibald Knox (estimate: £800-1,200). Lastly, a very finely made pair of Brass and Steel Wall Sconces with acorn and oak leaf design, made by Arts and Crafts master Ernest Gimson are offered with an estimate of £1,000-1,500).

 

In addition to usual viewing times, the sale will be open for a special evening of viewing on Wednesday 4th October from 4pm to 7pm.

View Sale Details

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