Western Morning News (Saturday)
Lots of antique furniture
TRADITIONAL antique furniture and fine art does at last seem to be on the rise, having suffered from the long lasting vogue for rather stark interiors. Those areas of the market that have remained brisk throughout the long downturn, Oriental, Modern British Art and Jewellery, do seem now to be giving a bit of room back to disciplines which used to lead the way in auction sales.
There is the usual excellent spread on offer in the Spring Fine Sale at Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood of Exeter, which takes place on April 25 and 26. Consignments from grand local private houses and institutions as well as instructions from further afield have constituted another fascinating and very attractive selection of items which will be coming under the hammer.
Amongst the earlier lots, lot 67 is a fine Canton gilt-ground urn and cover. This unusual piece, whilst being decorated in typically Chinese style takes a very European Neoclassical form, clearly designed for export to the European market. This carries an estimate of £2000-3000.
Pitched at a similar estimate is lot 364, an early pair of German brass pricket candlesticks. Dating to the 16th century, examples of this substantial size are something of a rarity. Another highlight of the Works of Art section is lot 519, again a real rarity and again, estimated at £2000-3000. This small but exquisitely presented micromosaic panel depicts the Arch of Janus Quadrifrons, a Roman ruin almost never shown in this intricate art form.
The Pictures section has many gems, but two that shine out are lots 707 and 708. Described as School of Fontainebleau, (second half 16th century) they both portray a young woman, traditionally identified as Mary Queen of Scots. Very beautiful images, intriguing and fresh to market, these are pitched at £40006000 each.
There is a rich choice of furniture in the auction too, ranging from early oak and vernacular pieces through to the glitzier styles of the
18th and 19th centuries. Charles II and William and Mary furniture is particularly well represented, a good example being lot 1004, a very scarce stumpwork and tortoiseshell framed wall mirror. This is expected to fetch in the region of £800-1200.
For more information visit bhandl.co.uk.