MUNSTEAD WOOD UNDER THE HAMMER

The multi-lot consignment comes from the collection of Sir Robert and Lady Clark who lived at Munstead Wood until its recent sale

Expected to top the Surrey auctioneer Ewbank’s dedicated sale on June 20 is an oil oncanvas by the French artist Léon Richet (1847-1907). The 40 x 66cm landscape, of trees and a large pond against a brooding sky, has a pre-sale guide price of £2,000-£4,000. The work is typical of the realistic style of the French painter who was associated with the Barbizon School.

From the same collection come two Edward VII silver novelty miniature knife boxes by E. S. Barnsley & Co. and the Alexander Clark Manufacturing Co., Birmingham 1906, with an estimate of £300-£400.

A pair of George III silver entrée dishes with covers by Joseph Craddock & William Ker Reid, London 1817, and weighing 115oz, is expected to fetch £1,200-£1,500 at the same sale.

Mary Wondrausch (1923-2016)

The collection also includes works by local artist Mary Wondrausch (1923-2016), who trained at Farnham School of Art before embarking on a career at her Brickfields Pottery in Compton, also home to the Watts Gallery, on the eastern approaches to Godalming.

Among the Wondrausch pieces is a large slipware beer jug decorated with animals, a ship, armorial and motto, which is signed beneath the handle with initials. It has an estimate of £300-£500.

A 26.5cm diameter yellow-and-brown glazed bowl, with reserve panels of flowers and a motto on the neck, is another Wondrausch item and comes complete with dedication and paper label to the

Above An oil on canvas landscape by Léon Richet (1847-1907) is expected to make £2,000-£4,000 at the sale on June 20, image courtesy of Ewbank’s

Below Pottery highlights by Mary Wondrausch, the artist who worked from the Brick elds Pottery in Compton, image courtesy of Ewbank’s base. The guide price is £200-£300.

Meanwhile a slip-decorated, 18.5cm pottery lion, decorated with the legend Silver Jubilee 19521977 to one side and Elizabeth Regina to the other, has an estimate of £100-£200.

A 30cm circular dish by Wondrausch, decorated with foliage and signed to the base, comes with hopes of £40-£60. While a 18.5cm-high yellowand-brown glazed jug, with the legend In the morning I awoke to find my garden was full of flowers, also attributed to Wondrausch, is expected to fetch £20-£30.

Ewbank’s partner, Andrew Ewbank, said: “It is wonderful to know that the legacy of Lutyens and Jekyll will be preserved for the nation at Munstead Wood as we disperse the personal collection of its final private owners.”

Country House Sale: the Contents of Munstead Wood Live takes place at Ewbank’s on June 20 with online bidding at www.ewbankauctions.co.uk