Lawrences Fine Art Auctioneers located in Crewkerne, Somerset is excited to announce its next sale in its busy auction calendar – The Winter Fine Art Auction. The sale goes under the hammer between Tuesday 15th and 16th January at its Crewkerne Saleroom.
With such a diverse auction, there is so much for the collector to see and add to their own collection from fine silver, pictures and decorative arts to ceramics, fine jewellery and furniture and everything in between, this three-day auction is one not to be missed.
One of the standout lots in the ceramics section is a Martin Brothers Grotesque bird. The ‘Wally’ bird jars are some of the most sought-after and distinctive pieces of Martinware. Produced by Robert Wallace Martin, a member of the Martin Brothers pottery in London, these creations stand out for their unusual and often grotesque designs. The Martin Brothers, known for their unique and often whimsical approach to pottery, created these jars from around the 1880s onward. The ‘Wally’ birds, in particular, are characterised by their rough, hand- formed shapes, often resembling birds but with a strong human influence. Robert Wallace Martin’s skill in creating these works, combining artistic flair with a touch of the macabre, led to their high regard among collectors of antique ceramics today. This example is dated for 1891, and despite some damages it is still expected to make £3000-5000 in our January Fine Art Sale.
Notable pieces in the jewellery section include a fine diamond three stone ring that has an auction estimate of £15,000-20,000, a late Georgian/early Victorian suite of topaz jewellery with an auction estimate of £4000 – £6000 and a 19th century neck badge of the Portuguese Order of Christ that has an estimate of £5000- 8000. The Order of Christ was created in the early 14th century for surviving knights of the Knights Templar, which had been disbanded in 1312. It was secularized in 1789 and was one of the three Ancient Military Orders bestowed by the Portuguese Monarchs. Dissolved in 1910 with the fall of the Portuguese monarchy, it was revived in 1917 within the Portuguese Republic, headed by the President of Portugal, as a decoration in recognition of outstanding service to the state.
There is plenty for the connoisseur of paintings. Six exceptional works from a private collection in Dorset show the late owner’s breadth of taste: Three highlights from this collection comprises superb oils by Eugene Boudin (1824-1898), the French master of beach scenes, marines and skies. Having trained under Jean Francois Millet, his love of painting outdoors led to his encouraging a young Claude Monet to do likewise. Boudin exhibited with the Impressionists in their first exhibition in 1874 and he is considered to be the vital transitional figure between the Romanticism of Corot and ‘La Vie Moderne’ as shown by the Impressionists. The three pictures, depicting boats and bustling life at Deauville, Trouville and on the River Touques range from £12000-18000 to £25000-35000 apiece.
So if seeing all these fine lots in the auction wants you to find out more, you can see all these fine lots and more at lawrences.co.uk.
If you have an item or collection and would like to know its value, please get in touch for a free, no obligation valuation.
Lawrences Auctioneers
Tel: 01460 73041; Email: enquiries@lawrences.co.uk
The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne TA18 8AB