For discerning collectors and eager buyers, two auctions are coming up at iGavel that offer something for everyone this summer. Here are the highlights of each sale:
The Collection of Lady Grundy Including Jewellery and Various Owners (till 24 June)
Lady Grundy was born in 1922 in England, where she lived until the outbreak of World War II. In 1945, she embarked on the vessel 'SS Mataroa' from Liverpool to Singapore, opened three beauty salons in Singapore and Malaysia and secured the sole agency of Christian Dior for Asia. A great explorer and traveller, she went to Moscow during the Cold War; lived with the Iban head-hunters in their long houses in the jungles of Sarawak (Borneo); and travelled extensively in Malaysia, China and many other countries in Asia. She spent a few years in London where she met her husband Air Marshall Sir Edouard Grundy, many of whose items are also in the auction, including his medals.
She collected items from all over the world during her travels. One of the top highlights is a pastel drawing of a Balinese Chieftain by Dutch artist Rudolf Bonnet, c. 1953, who was instrumental in Bali's art scene.
dAnother important lot is a pastel portrait of Australian soprano Miss Osca Marah, depicted in profile by Canadian artist Richard Mathews.
Many furs and 60 lots of jewellery, including a three strand 9 mm pearl necklace with emerald and mabe pearl clasp, will be available, mementos of Lady Grundy's lavish lifestyle.
Other works from other collections include Carl Robert Kummer’s dramatic sunset landscape in a wonderful period frame. Kummer was born in Dresden and also studied in Italy for some years. He travelled and painted extensively in central Europe, Egypt, Corsica, Switzerland and Portugal. He was a member of the Dresden Academy of Fine Arts, and was appointed to the rank of Professor of the Academy in 1859. Another one of Kummer's paintings entitled Sunset hangs in the Dresden Museum of Fine Arts, as well as a similar work at the Leipzig Museum of Fine Arts.
Also featured in the auction is an early European school stone figure fragment of the crucified Christ, 16th /17th, a fine marquise cut 1.5ct diamond and platinum ring and a late Classical marble top burlwood console table attributed to Anthony Quervelle or his equal, Philadelphia, c. 1825. Mid-Century Modern and Contemporary Art and Design (till 30 June)
The top highlights of this art and design sale are two works by South African artist William Kentridge titled Horse (Universal Archive) and a bronze titled Sculpture for Return (Commendatore Naso). Kentridge's (b. 1955 Johannesburg) work explores life of post-apartheid South Africa, often through fragmenting and reconstructing in different mediums.
A dynamic group of lithographs includes works by American artists Alex Katz and Fairfield Porter, as well as a Dale Chihuly sea-form glass sculpture and a Salvador Dalí Daum glass and gilt-bronze sculpture.
The furniture designs on offer come from the foremost designers of the 20th century. There are many classics, such as Saarinen’s tulip table and chairs, the Wegner papa bear chair, Bertoia’s diamond chair and Arredoluce’s Triennale lamp.
Also included are 8 sculptures from John Bucci, the creator of the iconic mid-century concept car, 'La Shablla', exhibited at the 1964 World's Fair in New York City. A Renaissance man, Bucci never stopped creating. His drive led him to make both functional sculptural pieces such as tables and console bases as well as freestanding sculptures out of plexiglass, steel, found objects and wood.
