AUCTION FINDS OF THE WEEK- DECEMBER 2ND: FINE ENGLISH CERAMICS
by Kelly Keating on 12/03/13
Welcome back to Auction Finds of the Week. I hope everyone had a wonderful Thanksgiving and a happy Chanukah. This week I highlight some fantastic English ceramics from two auctions: The Connoisseur's Collection to be held at Sotheby's London on December 4th and The Great Estates Auction to be held at Rago Arts and Auction Center in Lambertville, NJ on December 7th. The Sotheby's auction contains some very rare items of English porcelain with prices to match whereas the Rago Auction has some wonderful pieces of later English ceramics at good prices.
This week's first find is lot 435, a Chelsea soft-paste porcelain pigeon tureen and cover, circa 1755 with a pre-sale estimate of $24,330-32,441. Standing 7" tall, the bird is naturalistically modelled with its head turned to the right. It is seated among wheatears and coloured flowers on a low mound base. Its plumage is mainly purple with white highlights and the wings have white and yellow markings. The Chelsea porcelain manufactory was established in 1743-45 and was the first important porcelain maker in England. Chelsea was known for its figures. This delightful pigeon would make a fabulous centerpiece on any table.
This week's next discovery, lot 436, is a pair of large soft-paste porcelain peacocks also by Chelsea circa 1755 with an impressive pre-sale estimate of $97,320-129,761. Standing a grand 18.5" tall, the peacocks face in opposite directions. Each is modelled as if perched on the cross boughs of a tall tree stump festooned with cherries or damson. Their plumage is picked out in colors of puce, iron-red, blue and yellow. The rocky mound bases are also decorated with strawberry plants. This pair of birds is magnificient and would look superb on a mantel or as part of a table centerpiece if only for their grand price.
The last find from the Sotheby's A Connoisseur's Collection auction is another ware by Chelsea. Lot 426 is a Chelsea "Hans Sloane" botanical plate circa 1755 with a pre-sale estimate of $4,866-6,488. The 9.25" plate is painted with an exotic specimen bearing yellow petals with puce leaves and stamens. It is surrounded by scattered stems and sprigs which are attracting insects. Chelsea’s botanical designs were named after Hans Sloane who was a noted scientist, an apt name for such a "scientific" and naturalistic looking plate with extremely gorgeous coloring.
Our first find from Rago is lot 1147, a Minton majolica plaque dated 1876 with a Japanesque/Aesthetic design and a pre-sale estimate of $400-600. The plate features 2 fan shaped cartouches. One depicts 4 small birds in blue while the other depicts a stork or crane in flight. The fans are set against a white blossom flowering branch on which sit 3 birds. The whole is set on a gorgeous cobalt blue ground. At an impressive size of 20", this plaque would make a wonderful item to hang on a wall. Hanging plates, platters and plaques on a wall is one of my favorite decorating tips especially if there is a pattern or period which you collect. Get the plates out of the cupboard and onto the wall! They can make a beautiful visual display and also show off your collection.
The next treasure from Rago is a pair of Wedgwood black basalt oil lamps with gilding from the 19th century. Lot 1144 has a pre-sale estimate of $2,000-3,000. On top of each oil lamp sits a female figure, one reading a book and the other holding a jug which she seems to be pouring into the lamp. The auction catalogue suggest that this design is a River of Life motif. Black basalt wares can be very striking and more everyday objects like a teapot or jug would I believe work in even a modern setting. These lamps, however, scream 19th century and would be for the basalt collector or someone who enjoys antiques. They would look wonderful perched on a mantel.
The final find this week is also by Minton. Lot 1046 is a Minton majolica jardiniere dated 1873 with a pre-sale estimate of $1,200-1,800. The jardiniere has a floral spray and fern decoration in greens and whites against a brown ground suggestive of dirt. It is a good size, measuring 13"x19"x14.25". I love the little scrolled handles made of leaves at the scalloped rim. Such a piece would look wonderful in a garden room filled with a large fern,
I hope you enjoyed this week's tour of the high and low of English ceramics. But, no matter the price point, all 6 of these lots are wonderful objects that would enhance any setting. And hopefully an object in this week's finds will inspire you in the creation of your own space.
If you are looking for a piece of English ceramics, high or low, contact me at [email protected] and I can be of assistance. Check out my website www.theantiqueflaneur.com under Services for details of how I work.
Results for these lots and others can be found on my Facebook Page.
Until next week,
Kelly T Keating
