Spring Fine Week Preview

A Gold, Enamel and Gem-Set Hat or Bodkin Pin, dating from the 16^th or 17^th century and discovered by a metal detectorist in Lancashire, will be going under the hammer on 14^th March at Tennants Auctioneers, North Yorkshire, offered with an estimate of £1,500-2,500 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). The pin is shaped in the form of a bishop’s crozier, the handle decorated at the face with table-set white gems and at the reverse with turquoise-coloured enamel. The pin was found in the Yealand Conyers parish in Lancashire, just north of Carnforth, and bears a similarity to two pins that were part of the legendary Cheapside Hoard, the greatest single collection of Elizabethan and Stuart jewellery that was found by workmen in 1912. One of the Cheapside pins, which is now part of the Museum of London collection, is adorned with turquoise stones and backed with white and black enamel, and the second pin is decorated with table-cut diamonds and rubies with white and black enamel to the reverse. The pin is sold with its paperwork from the Portable Antiquities Scheme.

The Pin will be offered as part of the Spring Fine Sale, which will also include a diverse range of antiques, with notable lots including a rare and impressively sized Victorian Carved Walnut Metamorphic Extending Dining Table, made circa 1880 and offered with an estimate of £7,000-10,000. With thirteen additional leaves, when it is extended it measures almost 5m long. Other rare pieces of furniture include a Yewwood Wake Table dating from the 19^th century (estimate: £3,000-5,000), a Victorian Olive Wood and Ebonised Kneehole Desk possibly by Wright and Mansfield (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a Regency Rosewood and Brass-Inlaid Dwarf Cabinet in the Manner of George Bullock (estimate: £800-1,200). Further highlights include a late 17^th century Charles II Joined Oak Dresser Base (estimate: £1,200-1,800), and a Gillows of Lancaster Mahogany Dwarf Linen Press (estimate: £1,500-2,000). Good clocks include a rare French Ormolu Singing Bird Automaton Clock, made circa 1850 and stamped Japy Freres to the backplate (estimate: £3,000-5,000), a Champleve Enamel and Gilt Bronze Striking Mantel Clock Garniture and Matching Candelabra, retailed by F Barbedienne circa 1880 (estimate: £1,000-1,500), and a good Mahogany Eight Day Chiming Longcase Clock made by Edward Pistor of London circa 1780 (estimate: £1,200-1,800).

Amongst the ceramics and works of art in the sale are a circa 1745 Meissen Porcelain Figure Group of Medea and Jason (estimate: £500-800), a Pair of Meissen Porcelain Vases dating from the late 19^th century (estimate: £800-1,200), and an Italian School 17^th Century Bronze Portrait Bust of St Francis Xavier (estimate: £700-1,000). Interesting, too, is a circa 1795 English Delft Side Plate, likely made in a Lambeth pottery decorated with a hot air balloon, marking the fight of Vincenzo Lunardi, who made the first balloon ascent in Britain in 1784 (estimate: £300-500).

Taking place on the same day is the Asian Art Sale, which includes interesting ceramics such as a Chinese Porcelain “Nodding Head” Figure dating from the Qianlong period (estimate: £800-1,200), a Chinese Porcelain Double Gourd Vase in the Chongzhen style (estimate: £700-1,000), and a Chinese Porcelain Saucer delicately painted in the Yongzheng style with a quail (estimate: £800-1,200). Amongst the works of art in the sale are a Chinese Cloisonne Vase probably dating from the Wanli period (estimate: £700-1,000), and an intricately wrought Chinese Pale Celadon Jade Carving in the Qianlong style, depicting a cat climbing two flowers (estimate: £400-600). 

The British, European & Sporting Art Sale sees a host of good genre paintings, depicting scenes from everyday life. Leading this group of paintings, which includes numerous works from a private collection, is an impressive scene by Italian artist Vittorio Reggianini (1868-1939) on offer with an estimate of £7,000-10,000. Afternoon Tea with the Little Lady illustrates Reggianini’s preferred subject matter of the upper middle classes relaxing in opulent interiors, and his mastery of painting fine silks and satins. Further interesting genre pieces include Cricketers by Thomas Webster (1800-1886) (estimate: £3,000-5,000), Timing the Exposure by Charles Bertrand D’Entraygues (1850-1928) (estimate: £2,000-3,000), and “Quai de la Megissenie” by Eugene Galien-Laloue (1854-1941) (estimate: £2,000-3,000). Also of note in the sale is an impressive pair of still life paintings of fruit and flowers by Dutch artist Jacobus Linthorst (1784-1815), on offer with an estimate of £5,000-8,000. The picturesque canals of Venice are a perennially popular subject in paintings, and two good Venetian scenes by Antoine Bouvard (19^th/20^th Century) are on offer with an estimate of £2,500-4,000 each).

View Sales