Western Morning News (Saturday)
There are lots to intrigue collectors
DAVID Lay Auctions recently restyled its popular antiques sales as the Antiques & Interiors Sale. Its next sale on May 12 is a wonderfully eclectic auction, a delight for private collectors, antiques enthusiasts and interior designers alike.
As well as the quality English antiques one would expect, fans of more modern designer furniture, such as vintage Danish and Italian chairs and sofas will not be disappointed. Lot 3038 is a good example, a pair of Moroso Ferrari red and black leather Rich Cushion Capitone tub chairs, designed by Antonio Citterio or lot 3039, a pair of ‘Wassily’ chairs after Marcel Bruer.
A beautifully made, inlaid antique table has intrigued all the furniture experts at Lays. Lot 3026 is an early Victorian, specimen wood parquetry, inlaid occasional table, but its origin is a mystery. The parquetry is very English or Irish, yet the carved spiral legs almost feel African. If anyone has come across anything similar, Lay’s would love to hear from them!
A highlight for Kevin Baker, one of Lay’s antiques experts, is a lovely collection of items made by the Sowerby Glass Company. In 1876 the Sowerby company patented a new kind of glass which they called vitro-porcelain.
This was an opaque glass which could be made in a number of different colours. In 1877 Sowerby started to produce a range of small decorative objects in this new glass, taking the form of small baskets and vases many of which had beautifully detailed classical and aesthetic motifs.
A number of their objects were decorated with characters taken directly from children’s nursery rhyme books produced by eminent Victorian artist Walter Crane. Crane is considered to be one of the most influential children’s book creators of his generation. There are 59 lots of Sowerby glass in the sale and six lots by Walter Crane, so it is a fantastic collection.
Other lots of note are as wide and varied as possible. Lot 7 is a handsome 19th century carved marble bust of a gentleman with an estimate of £30005000, which would grace the hallway of any distiguished English country house, whereas lot 2, a throne chair and two stools from Bamileke, Cameroon, carved with multiple reversed heads and leopards which carries an estimate of £700-1000 is a fascinating group for anyone who appreciates tribal art.
There is a very large teak and brass ship’s wheel, a marvellous collection of over 15 muskets and rifles made by Enfield and other makers, plus a good selection of ceramic and glass, textiles and multiple fascinating miscellaneous items.
A lovely cabinet with 24 drawers which once came from The Star Castle Hotel, on the Isles of Scilly, is also sure to excite a lot of interest.
Lay’s sales are always worth a thorough browse and viewing for this one will be on Saturday, May 7, 9am-1pm and then Mon-Wed, May 9-10, 9am5pm. View the entire online catalogue at www.davidlay.co.uk.