On Thursday 25 March, UK auction house Roseberys is presenting their Fine & Decorative auction, comprising over 500 lots. From exquisite silver to jewellery, glassware, ceramics, collectables and more, the varied selection promises something for everyone.
Anna Evans, Head of Fine & Decorative Department at Roseberys comments: “The first Fine & Decorative sale of 2021 includes a fascinating cross-section of items to suit all tastes and budgets. Included in the sale are wonderful furnishing pieces for the home from furniture and rugs to sculpture and lighting.”
This George II japanned longcase clock is by Markwick Markham, London, from c. 1750. The partnership of James Markwick, who was Master of the Clockmakers' Company in 1720, and Robert Markham flourished from 1725 to 1805. The firm specialised in the manufacture of watches and musical and ordinary clocks mainly for the Ottoman market.
A beautiful piece to be displayed in any home is this cased builder's scale model of a 'Supercore' specialised fruit cargo ship. A similar model of the 1973 Supercore named ‘Orange’, also by Langesund Miniatyrskipsbyggeri, exists in the collection of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, London, object ID SLR2823.
A portion of the sale is made up of a prominent collection of fine silverware, a highlight of which is this large silver dish of oval form from Tiffany & Co. The rim of the dish is engraved with scrolling foliate designs and applied silver shell decoration, while the perimeter of the dish is engraved with acanthus leaf band.
A 19th-century Russian silver and niello tobacco box from Moscow, c. 1850, is another example of the silver on offer. From the presentation engraving, it is possible that the box may have belonged to Thomas T. Wingett M.D, Medical Superintendent at the Dundee Royal Lunatic Asylum, as described in the Dundee Directory of 1856-57.
A group of silver-gilt items by Stuart Devlin, including fifteen surprise eggs, is featured in the sale. Stuart Devlin (1931-2018) was an Australian artist and metalworker, specialising in gold and silver. In 1965, following his move to London, Devlin became known for limited edition pieces, such as Christmas boxes and Easter eggs, which are highly sought after by collectors around the world. The works on offer make a perfect alternative gift for Easter.
Here we have a Victorian parcel-gilt Gothic-style harp by Sebastian and Pierre Erard. Sebastian Erard was born in 1752 in Strasburg, in 1768 he moved to Paris where he soon became one of the great instrument makers of his time. At the onset of the French Revolution in 1789, he moved Great Marlborough Street, London. In 1810, he patented the double-action harp with seven pedals, which forms the basis of modern concert harps. Erard & Co. remained active into the 20th century
Within the auction are a collection of Masonic lots, including ceremonial items of jewellery, ceramics, glassware and books. For hundreds of years the Freemasons have been one of the most mysterious and talked-about fraternal societies in the world. They were established as a non-religious, non-political, charitable organisation. The symbolism associated with the Freemasons has generated much interest over the years; symbols include the All-Seeing Eye, the Blazing Star and, perhaps the most important, the Square and Compasses.
This George III Masonic glass rummer, c. 1800-10 is of typical form, the bowl engraved with Masonic symbols and initial 'R'. Measuring 12cm high, pieces such as these and their modern counterparts are used for masonic ceremonies such as consecrations and anniversaries of the foundations of lodges
While there are hundreds more gems waiting to be uncovered in the sale, Roseberys also has several more auctions taking place this month and next, including the Old Master, 18th & 19th Century Pictures auction on Tuesday 23 March, the Ted Few: An Idiosyncratic Eye Collection on Wednesday 24 March, and The Collection of Herbert Kennard on Friday 26 March.
As always, you will find all lots with Barnebys.
