AUCTION HIGHLIGHTS FEBRUARY-JULY 2021
LOW RES
Adversity often leads to innovation and this has been our mantra at Duke’s throughout the pandemic. Our online auctions have been hugely successful and, although we miss our clients being with us in person, the results speak for themselves. Whether you live in Tahiti, or closer to home in Maiden Newton, you can view, bid and buy online. We are now delighted to present highlights from the spectacular auctions we have planned for the first half of 2021. The Winter Auction on 25th February includes an outstanding collection from an historic Wiltshire townhouse put together over half a century. The collector has a particular eye for pieces with provenance and the collection boasts items from some of the West Country’s greatest houses - Longleat, Orchardleigh, Heytesbury and Reddish, the home of Cecil Beaton. The 1929 WO Bentley from the Newton House Collection of seven exceptional Bently motorcars is estimated at £500,000-£700,000. Cars of this importance rarely come to the market and this example has an impeccable pedigree with a fascinating history, inclusing an epic journey from India to England. This auction will take place on 11th March. We are privileged to be holding two classic country house auctions this year. The first, at Dewlish House, a Baroque masterpiece, will be held on the premises on 13th April. The house sits majestically in parkland studded with ancient trees in the stretch of country between Dorchester and Blandford. The auction of selected contents on behalf of Mrs. Caroline Boyden will also include magnificent portraits from the Jeffree Trust, property from the Estate of the late Rufus Eyre and the Lushington family. On 6th and 7th May we will be selling the contents of Wormington Grange, a spectacular neo-classical mansion in Glouestershire. The house was the family home of Lord Ismay (1887-1965), Churchill’s key military adviser and confidant during World War II, who later became the first Secretary General of NATO. His grandson, John Evetts, a stylemaker and a driving force in the Landmak Trust, has decided to move to pastures new after a century of family ownership. All our catalogues can be viewed online but please remember, if you want to ask advice, or speak to one of our specialists, we are only a telephone call away. At Duke’s we continue to value one thing above all else - you, our clients and friends. Thank you for your continued support.
AUCTIONS F E B R U A R Y - J U LY 2 0 2 1
25th and 26th February The Winter Auction 10:30am (live online auction) 11th March The Newton House Collection 10.30am (live online auction) strictly by appointment William Batt - 01305 265080 william.batt@dukes-auctions.com 11th March Coins, Militaria and Sporting 11.30am (live online auction) 25th March Art and Design Post 1880 10.30am (live online auction) 8th April Watches 10.30am (live online auction) 13th April Dewlish House: Auction on the premises 10.30am (live online auction) 7th June Asian Art 10.30am (live online auction) 6th and 7th May Wormington Grange: Auction on the premises 10.30am (live online auction) 1st July The Summer Auction 10.30am (live online auction)
Viewing All viewing arangements will be in accordance with Government guidelines. If we are permitted to allow normal public viewing we will do so, but please bear in mind all lots can be viewed online and we are delighted to provide additional images and condition reports. For the latest information and guidance please go to our website dukes-auctions.com or telephone Tallulah Barnet on 01305 265080
THE WINTER AUCTION 25TH AND 26TH FEBRUARY
MANNER OF GIOVANNI PAOLO PANINI (1691-1765) A pair of capriccio with figures amongst classical ruins in an Italinate landscape, oils on canvas, each 72cm x 58cm, in 18th century style gilt and gesso frames £3,000-£5,000
A PAIR OF GEORGE III SILVER CHAMBERSTICKS London, 1766, with beaded borders, conical snuffers and engraved lion crests, apparently retaining the original silver coloured metal and steel snuffers with bright cut decoration 11cm high, 17.5cm wide (20.8oz) Provenance: Private collection, Dorset. £500-£1,000
NATALE SCHIAVONI (1777-1858) ‘Venus’: a woman in the guise of Venus reclining on a chaise longue, a small dog appearing from behind the chaise at her feet, signed lower left, oil on canvas, 115cm x 150cm Provenance: The collection of the Dorsa family. Literature: for a very similar example see the portrait of Fanny Elssler, with the Mayfair Gallery, London, derived from Titian’s masterpiece ‘Venus of Urbino’ (c. 1534). £3,000-£5,000
Halswell House Somerset
A FINE EARLY GEORGE III STYLE MOULDED AND CUT-GLASS TEN LIGHT CHANDELIER the electrical fitments and sockets on star cut drip pans, issuing on two tiers of five outscrolled and writhen branches, with knopped, waisted and baluster moulded stem, hung overall with faceted glass bead swags and pendants, 133c, high. 102cm wide Provenance: Formerly in the Ballroom at Halswell House, Somerset. £3,000-£5,000
A PAIR OF GEORGE III CARVED BEECH AND UPHOLSTERED FAUTEUILS circa 1770, the shield backs and serpentine front seats with later yellow velvet coverings, the camel back toprails with central anthemia cresting flanked by trailed bellflowers in relief; the shoulders, scrolled armrest terminals, arm rest supports and fluted front legs all finely carved with acanthus, with swagged paterae to the front rails, 96cm high, 67cm wide £1,500-£2,500 The perfectly executed design of these neo-classical chairs combined with the quality of the workmanship and the presence of distinctive “cramp-cuts” are indicative of a leading London workshop. Stylistically the most likely candidate is John Linnell (1729-1796)
A REGENCY WHITE MARBLE BUST OF A MAIDEN, circa 1815, portrayed with head turned slightly to sinister, her elaborately arranged hair worn up above her serene visage, the loosely draped décolletage buttoned at one shoulder, on a waisted circular socle, 77cm high, 50cm wide Provenance: Acquired at the auction at Roche Court, Winterslow, Wiltshire conducted by Humbert, King and Chasemore, 23rd and 24th October 1978, lot 958, from the Estate of the late Sir Geoffrey Codrington KCVO DSO An historic Wiltshire townhouse £1,000-£2,000 It has been suggested that this impressive and sensitively rendered bust, and that of her sister which is also included in the auction, may represent members of the Codrington family.
A SET OF FOUR GEORGE IV CANDLESTICKS by S C Younge & Co, Sheffield, two marked 1819 and two marked 1822, in Rococo revival style, with removable nozzles and baluster stems with acanthus decoration, on shaped circular bases with rocaille-work, 30cm high, 15cm diameter (the bases are loaded) Provenance: An historic Wiltshire townhouse. £800-£1,500
A PAIR OF LARGE GILTWOOD AND GESSO OVERMANTLE MIRRORS in the manner of John Linnell, of cartouche form, each with flambeau finial to a pagoda top, above marginal plates around two graduated and centrally positioned oval plates, the frames with scrolling foliate and rocaille carved detailing overall, 221cm high, 154cm wide Provenance: An historic Wiltshire townhouse. £6,000-£10,000
A GEORGE I WALNUT LONGCASE CLOCK, by John Shaw, Holborne the case with a moulded cornice, blind fretwork frieze and fluted columns to the hood, the trunk with hinged door and further mouldings above the box base; the silvered chapter ring with Roman hours, Arabic minutes and engraved John Shaw Holborne, around a matted centre with subsidiary seconds dial and calendar aperture, on a square brass dial with applied spandrels each cast as two cherubs bearing a crown; with eight day twin barrel movement and strike on bell; with pendulum, two weights and winder, 140cm high, 60cm wide John Shaw of Holborn(e), apprenticed in 1672 and a member of the Clockmakers’ Company in 1682, of which he was Master 1712 – 1715 £1,000-£2,000
A ‘BLACK FOREST’ CARVED AND STAINED LINDEN WOOD BEAR probably Brienz, circa 1900, portrayed seated, with inset glass eyes, the jaws slightly open, revealing painted teeth and tongue, 48.5cm high £800-£1,200
A GEORGE III CARTON-PIERRE MIRROR circa 1775, the oval plate within a border of raised bell-flowers and rocaillework mouldings, the openwork frame formed of confronting scrolling foliage, floral trails and further rocaille mouldings, 153cm high, 90cm wide £2,000-£3,000 This well-preserved mirror with intricate peripheral decoration is reminiscent of mirrors attributed to John Linnell (1729-1796)
ASCRIBED TO SIR PETER LELY (1618-1680) A portrait of a gentleman, half length wearing yellow doublet beneath a breastplate, oil on canvas, 73cm x 58cm in a fine carved giltwood auricular frame £3,000-£5,000
A MONUMENTAL LEATHER ‘BOMBARD’ 17th century, of traditional form, the silver metal mounted rim with a border of pendant leaves beneath an inscription “Oliver Cromwell 1653 Lord Protector of England Scotland and Ireland”, the front of the vessel with a silver metal armorial, a variation of Oliver Cromwell’s arms, and the motto “Pax Quaeritur Bello”, 47cm high, 30cm across the handle Provenance: The Hoare Family. According to family tradition this jug was made from the hide of Cromwell’s war horse. The date ‘1653’ on the rim of the jug may suggest that it commemorates the year Cromwell became Lord Protector. It has also been suggested, that the silver metal mounts could be a later antiquarian “improvement” £4,000-£6,000
A PAIR OF LATE GEORGE III CARY’S GLOBES the terrestrial globe inscribed “Delineated from the best authorities extant exhibiting the different tracts of Captain Cook and the new discoveries made by him and other circumnavigators”, and further inscribed “Sold by J. Smith, Royal Exchange, London”; the celestial globe “delined (sic) by Mr Gilpin of The Royal Society”, each on a turned mahogany stand with engraved brass mounts and cross-over stretchers. The globes 30.5cm diameter and 46cm high Provenance: the collection of the late Wilfrid Weld £8,000-£15,000
A PAIR OF DUTCH ENGRAVED GOBLETS, 18TH CENTURY the bowls engraved with monograms beneath a coronet, on facetted baluster stems and folded circular feet, 17cm high £800-£1,200
AN IMPORTANT COLLECTION OF DUTCH SILVER “TOYS” This impressive collection was formed by Baron Michiels van Verduynen (1885-1952) the Dutch ambassador to the Court of St. James 1939-1942. At the end of the Second World War the collection returned to Holland and was kept at Clingendael. After his death the collection passed to the family of the Baron van Tuyll van Serooskerken. The collection includes examples by some of the leading makers of the 17th and 18th centuries including Arnoldus van Geffen (1728-1769)
THE NEWTON HOUSE COLLECTION 11TH MARCH
THE MARQUE OF A GENTLEMAN
A WO BENTLEY 4½ LITRE, 1929 Coachwork by Vanden Plas Registration Number: UL5 510 Chassis Number: RL3431 Engine Number RL3433 In 1919, at the Olympia Motor Exhibition, W O Bentley introduced to the world his new 3-litre racing car. The descendants of this British Racing Green, leather-strapped “Lorry”, would go forward and become some of the most successful and widely recognised legends of motor racing. Only 665 examples of the Bentley 4 ½ litre were ever made, and RL3431 is a rare example of a matching numbers car, with all its major mechanical parts identifiable by original manufacturers numbers. With a remarkable history, including an epic journey from India to England, this car exudes the style of a British motoring icon. £500,000-£700,000
A BENTLEY DERBY 3½ LITRE, 1935 Coachwork by Thrupp & Maberley Registration Number: BXY300 Chassis Number: B57CW Engine Number: E6BX ‘Taking all things into consideration, I would rather own this Bentley car than any car produced under that name’ (WO Bentley). This sought-after model is one of only 1177 3 ½ litres ever produced, and one of only two three-position drophead coupe’s with coachwork designed by Thrupp and Maberly. £140,000-£180,000
A BENTLEY S1 CONTINENTAL FASTBACK, 1956 Coachwork by H J Mulliner Registration Number: 10JML Chassis Number: BC28BG Engine Number: BC27B ‘Their responsiveness, beauty of line and traditional coach-built interior fitments make them the ultimate in fifties personal transportation’, according to The Flying Lady. The Bentley S1 Sports Saloon was first introduced in 1955. It quickly became synonymous with effortless high speeds and luxury touring. This stunning example was initially registered in 1956 to Mr Johnstone, the managing director of H J Mulliner and Co Ltd. She became the flagship vehicle for the company, first used to exhibit at the Earls Court Motor Show. Of all the designs, and possibly all the Bentley’s, the Mulliner S1 Continental Fastback is the most iconic example of high-performance elegance. £300,000-£400,000
BENTLEY S2 CONTINENTAL, 1961 Coachwork by H J Mulliner Registration Number: BOM 600 Chassis Number: BC25BY Engine Number: B24BC The Bentley S2 ‘gives high-speed travel in silence and luxury, while the driver and passengers enjoy the sense of well-being that only British craftsmanship can give’. (Autosport Magazine) With its original patina and bespoke features, this Bentley S2 evokes sixties style and luxury. Alongside Bentley’s famed V8 performance and longevity, this car is an exceptional example of Bentley design. £200,000-£300,000
A BENTLEY CONTINENTAL S3, 1964 Coachwork by James Young Registration Number: ABH50C Chassis Number: BC200XC Engine Number: 100CBC The Bentley S3 is the third and final incarnation of the sixties Continentals and arguably the most refined luxary sportscar of the epoch. This example is a statement of quality. The time and expense spared on this car is evidenced in its documentation. A luxury to drive and a privilege to be seen in, this James Young bodied Continental S3 appeals to the Bentley driver with discerning taste. £120,000-£180,000
A COLLECTION OF SALMON FLIES including examples by Hardy and Macleay of Inverness. £500 - £1,000 Provenance: the Estate of the late Rufus Eyre.
C O I N S , M I L I TA R I A A N D S P O RT I N G 11TH MARCH
A LATE MEDIEVAL STYLE DAGGER with engraved decoration to the tapering blade and a faceted pommel, 52cm £500 - £1,000 Provenance: Part of a collection of edged weapons from the Estate of the late Rufus Eyre.
ROBERT GRIFFITHS HODGINS (1920-2010) ‘Figures (2006/7)’ Oil on canvas 60cm x 60cm Provenance: Private Collection, Dorset £8,000-£12,000
A RT A N D D E S I G N P O S T 1 8 8 0 25TH MARCH
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A HEUER CARRERA GENTLEMAN’S STAINLESS STEEL CHRONOGRAPH WRISTWATCH with manual wind movement, the blue dial with triple white subsidiary dials, silver luminous hands and white seconds hand, luminous baton numerals, a Heuer crown, circa 1960’s, ref. 2447, no. 104764, the case dia. c.34mm
Sold for £11,250
WAT C H E S 8TH APRIL
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DEWLISH HOUSE 13TH APRIL
HENDRICK DANCKERTS (c.1625-1680) A ‘VIEW OF WHITEHALL’ with figures and animals in St. James’s Park in front of the Palace of Whitehall, oil on canvas, 91cm x 152cm in a scrolling foliate giltwood frame £20,000-£30,000 This view of Whitehall shows the Banqueting House, the Tilt Yard, the Holbein Gate, turrets, battlements and Gothic tracery of the old Banqueting House, built for Elizabeth I in 1581, and the octagonal roof of the Cockpit building, originally constructed for cockfighting but by the time of this work used as a theatre. At the time of its fiery destruction in 1698, Whitehall Palace was probably the largest palace in Europe; the centre of English royal power for 168 years. The fabulous palace was created by Cardinal Wolsey as his central London residence. It was enlarged and extended massively by Henry VIII after 1530. Whitehall was at the centre of some of the most momentous events in English history, from the execution of Charles I in 1649 to the Glorious Revolution and succession to the throne of William III and Mary II in 1689-90. Two similar views of Whitehall by Danckerts, one depicting King Charles II and his dogs walking in St. James’s Park and the other showing the Royal Coach leaving the palace are currently in the Government Art Collection (GAC 12211and GAC 3653)
THOMAS BEACH (1738-1806) A PORTRAIT OF WILLIAM CRAVEN, 6TH BARON CRAVEN depicted three-quarter length, his right hand resting on a cane and his left in his pocket, wearing a powdered wig ‘en queue’ and a blue silk waistcoat under his pale green jacket, oil on canvas, 127cm x 100cm £3,000-£5,000 Provenance: An historic Wiltshire townhouse. William Craven, 6th Baron Craven (1738– 1791) was an English nobleman. He was the son of Rev John Craven of Staunton Lacy, Shropshire and succeeded his uncle, William Craven, as Baron Craven in 1769. In 1775, he built Benham Park at the site of Benham Valence in Speen, Berkshire where he lived with his wife, Lady Elizabeth Berkeley. The marriage, however, was not a success. Both Elizabeth and her husband indulged in affairs, notably Elizabeth’s scandalous liaison with the French ambassador, the Count of Guines, in 1773, which even made it into the pages of the Morning Chronicle. Eventually Elizabeth left him in 1780 to travel in Europe. They had issue of three sons and four daughters. After his death on 27 September 1791 at age 53 in Lausanne, Switzerland, she married the Margrave of Anspach. It was Lord Craven who, in 1780, built the original Cottage at what is now an English Premier League stadium Craven Cottage, Fulham.
AN IMPORTANT PAIR OF GEORGE III MAHOGANY SERPENTINE CHESTS OF DRAWERS in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, apparently retaining their original brass swan-neck handles, 103.5cm wide. £12,000-£18,000 Provenance: Almost certainly supplied to The Rev. James Lushington of Rodmersham, Kent. Edmund Henry Lushington (born 1766) of Park House, Maidstone, Kent, whose eldest son, Edmund Law, married Cecilia, the sister of the poet, Alfred, Lord Tennyson. Thence by descent in the Lushington family.
A PAIR OF GEORGE III “ARCHITECTURAL” CANDLESTICKS with variations in execution and height. 87cm and 84cm high It has been suggested that these rare survivals originally formed part of the furnishings of a Grand Masonic Lodge. These exceptional candlesticks may be compared to a set representing three of the five orders of Classical Architecture from the collection of the late Professor Sir Albert Richardson, which he aquired prior to 1938. The distinctive bronze-metal griggins supporting the candle sconces relate to the published designs of Sir William Chambers RA (1723-1796) £3,000-£5,000 Provenance: The Estate of the late Rufus Eyre.
A GEORGE II MAHOGANY BREAK-FRONT LIBRARY BOOKCASE in the manner of William Kent, circa 1735, the upper part with triangular broken arched pediment carved with stylised acanthus leaves and bands of “egg and dart” and key pattern dentilling, the entablature carved with a central classical mask from which emanate rays of light on a trellis and rosette ground over four glazed doors with plain rectangular glazing bars, the lower section with a brushing slide over four plain cupboards, on a plinth base carved with scrolling acanthus leaves, shells and ribbons interspersed by rosettes, 254cm wide x 261.5cm high x 44cm deep Provenance: Sir George Leon Bt and illustrated in his home 10, Hill Street, Berkeley Square, London W1 in the “Antique Collector”, January 1938. Subsequently advertised for sale with C J Pratt 196, Brompton Road, London SW3 in the “Connoisseur”, March 1950. Sold Sotheby’s, London, 17th July, 1970 lot 205. Sir Robin Cooke and thence by descent at Athelhampton House, Dorset. £8,000-£15,000
A MONTEITH BOWL WITH ROYAL RELATIONS
A CHINESE FAMILLE-VERTE MONTIETH, Kangxi, circa 1715 of oval form supported on four claw and ball feet, the crenellated rim above a pair of lion mask, enamelled on each side with a blossoming gnarly tree emanating from rocks, the rim bordered with various flowering plants and edged in cell pattern with carp swimming around the interior rim above large fish shown amidst waterweeds and other aquatic creatures, 56cm wide Provenance: Major Sir Alfred Hammond Aykroyd 2nd Baronet of Lightcliffe, Yorkshire (1894 -1965) and thence by descent
SOLD FOR £112,500 This magnificent wine cooler, or monteith bowl, matches a pair in the Royal Collection, most recently recorded in the Dining Room at Clarence House. It is likely they were acquired by King George IV and transferred from Brighton Pavilion to Buckingham Palace early in the reign of Queen Victoria. In 1914 one was inventoried in the Long Gallery at Windsor Castle and in 1921 another is recorded in the Yellow Drawing Room at Buckingham Palace. We are grateful to Rufus Bird, Her Majesty’s Surveyor of Works of Art, for his assistance with this catalogue entry.
ASIAN AUCTION 7th June
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WORMINGTON GRANGE 6TH-7TH MAY
THE HALL with exceptional furniture by Gillows and a magnificent pair of George III giltwood mirrors flanking a niche containing a monumental neo-classical plaster statue of a youth and a fawn after Antoine-Denis Chaudet (1763-1810)
THE DINING ROOM fireplace with an architectural Regency giltwood overmantel mirror in which is reflected a superb gilt-bronze chandelier in the manner of Andre Charles Boulle (1642-1732)
THE ETCHINGS ROOM with a rare George IV rosewood reading table with a scagliola top depicting the Forum in Rome and an Arts and Crafts firescreen with sunflower terminals.
THE LIBRARY FIREPLACE Wormington Grange is a classic English country house, which combines grandeur with supremely comfortable interiors, which have evolved over generations. There is perfectly proportioned furniture by Gillows mixed with easy chairs and sofas by the greatest of makers, Howard and Son. The sale on the premises on the 6th and 7th May marks the end of an era both for the family and in the sense it might be the last of the good old fashioned country house auctions.
AN EXCEPTIONALLY RARE IRISH SILVER-GILT CHALICE, probably circa 1480, 160mm high This chalice almost certainly pre-dates the Reformation and as such is a remarkable survival. It may be compared to other chalices in the National Museum of Ireland. Stylistically it relates to known examples from Co. Cork but the unusual and previously unrecorded circular foot may be indicative of an earlier date than the examples in the literature. Estimate on request Provenance: Wilson Rae-Scott Esq. and thence by descent.
THE SUMMER AUCTION 1ST JULY
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