The Collection of Raine, Countess Spencer

Jun30

The Collection of Raine, Countess Spencer (1929-2016), Christie’s King Street, London SW1, Old Masters Evening Sale (6^th July 2017) and The Collection of Raine, Countess Spencer (13^thJuly 2017)

Interior
From the property of Lady Spencer © Christie’s Images Limited 2017

I count myself fortunate in having encountered Raine, Countess Spencer several times over the years and she was always the epitome of elegance and charm. That sense of style is very much reflected in her home, the contents of which are to be found in these sales. While the paintings, furniture and objects contributed to the glamour of the rooms they were not mere ‘background’ objects but were bought because Lady Spencer liked them and wanted to live with and use them.

Interior
From the property of Lady Spencer © Christie’s Images Limited 2017

She was very much drawn to the arts of 18^th century France and numbered works by Boucher, Fragonard and Greuze among the pictures she collected. On some purchases she was advised by Sir Francis Watson (former Director of the Wallace Collection) who also advised the Wrightsmans with their legendary collection. Regency furniture was another love and it blended well with her French pieces. Her last dining room recalled the Art Deco period and there was also a collection of French Art Nouveau lithographs.

Interior
From the property of Lady Spencer © Christie’s Images Limited 2017

From her birth – she was the daughter of the novelist Dame Barbara Cartland – onwards Lady Spencer was the focus of media interest whether through her marriages or her work as a Westminster City Councillor and in the conservationist campaigns she supported. In later years she was a director of Harrods and had a hands-on approach. The thread of perfectionism that runs through her life is also reflected in her clothes, jewellery and other accessories in the 13^th July auction. This is very much an opportunity to appreciate, enjoy or even acquire a piece of the elegant perfection that was Lady Spencer’s way of life.

Claude Joseph Vernet (Avignon 1714-1789 Paris)
A Mediterranean sea-port with fishermen unloading cargo
oil on canvas
Estimate: £300,000-500,000
© Christie’s Images Limited 2017

A LOUIS XVI COMMODE
CIRCA 1770-75, ATTRIBUTED TO ANTOINE-PIERRE FOULLET
Estimate: £60,000-90,000
© Christie’s Images Limited 2017

Interior
From the property of Lady Spencer © Christie’s Images Limited 2017

AN 18 CARAT GOLD, RUBY AND DIAMOND PARURE, BY VAN CLEEF & ARPELS
Comprising a necklace, designed as a graduated series of ruby cabochon and brilliant-cut diamond clusters
Estimate: £100,000-150,000
© Christie’s Images Limited 2017

One of several ‘Lady Dior’ handbags, this one of black leather with studwork decoration.
Estimate: £1,000-1,500
© Christie’s Images Limited 2017

http://www.christies.com

The 2017 Summer Olympia Art & Antiques Fair

Jun23

The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia, Olympia London, Hammersmith Road, London W14, 26^th June – 2^nd July 2017

Lady Henrietta Spencer-Churchill who will be speaking at The Art & Antiques Fair on ‘Incorporating Antiques in Design’ on Thursday 29 June at 12.30-13.30.

This is this fair’s forty-fifth year and as ever potentially offers much to its visitors. There is no doubt that change is inevitable and that emphasis and focus changes as one generation of collectors is succeeded by another. Styles of living change and what may have been our ideal does not necessarily resonate with our children and grandchildren.

It is therefore probably a sound idea to launch an Interior Design Talk Series at this year’s fair. The speakers include Henrietta Spencer Churchill, Douglas Mackie, Christopher Vane Percy, April Russel, Emma Burns from Sibyl Colefax and John Fowler, Susie Rumbold and Caroline de Cabarrus from Hotspur Design and the wide-ranging topics covered include Incorporating Antiques in Design and how to Decorate your House in a Day.

The fair’s director Mary Claire Boyd said, ‘We are excited about our new Interior Design Talk Series. There is a strong demand for advice from experts on how to incorporate art and antiques into interiors and previous designer talks have been very well attended. We are taking it to the next level this year by hosting top designers throughout the run of the fair.’ Perfect for inspiration to go out into the fair afterwards and buy!

It is also interesting to note that the number of picture dealers attending this year’s fair will be double that of last year’s. This increase is made up by new and some returning former exhibitors. The Chicago-based show, Sculptural Objects Functional Art and Design Fair (SOFA) who first showed three-dimensional contemporary art and design last year also returns.

Galerie Boccara
Sonia Delaunay.
Serpent Noir’, wool tapestry,151 x 308cm

As these changes evolve over the Fairs I wish this Olympia Fair a fair wind in its voyage to different waters.

http://www.olympia-art-antiques.com

A new exhibitor at The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Apr3

The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11, 4^th – 9^th April 2017

Alison Elliott
Tinker
Oil on gesso panel
5.91 x 4ins (15 x 10cm)
Courtesy of Jonathan Cooper
Copyright Alison Elliott

This edition is slightly earlier than usual and its special stand – The Morning Room Revisited – near the fair’s entrance updates the traditional idea of such rooms by transforming them into a space where the outside can be brought in or as a place of display for collections.

Rebecca Campbell
The Artist’s Muse
Oil on linen
35.2 x 45.75ins (89 x 116cm)
Courtesy of Jonathan Cooper
Copyright Rebecca Campbell

The highly successful gallery Jonathan Cooper makes its first appearance at the fair and I feel sure that visitors will find much of interest among its fine contemporary artworks.

www.decorativefair.com

http://www.jonathancooper.co.uk

Rauschenberg

Feb4

Robert Rauschenberg, Tate Modern, The Eyal Ofer Galleries, until 2nd April 2017

Robert Rauschenberg
Untitled (double Rauschenberg)
ca. 1950
Robert Rauschenberg and Susan Weil
Monoprint: exposed blueprint paper
209.6 x 92.1 cm
Private collection

This important show on Robert Rauschenberg (1925-2008), organised in collaboration with The Museum of Modern Art in New York, is comprehensive and reveals his ability to challenge and change boundaries whether in painting, sculpture, photography, print-making, technology or stage design and performance. One easily understands why he was the first American artist to win the Golden Lion for painting at the 1963 Venice Biennale.

Monogram
1955-59
Combine: oil, paper, fabric, printed reproductions, metal, wood, rubber shoe-heel, and tennis ball on two conjoined canvases with oil on taxidermied Angora goat with brass plaque and rubber tire on wood platform mounted on four casters
106.7 x 135.2 x 163.8 cm
Moderna Museet, Stockholm. Purchase with contribution from Moderna Museets Vänner/The Friends of Moderna Museet
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York

As the images here show this is really an exhibition that has to be experienced in order to fully understand Rauschenberg’s huge talent and drive to create with its continuing theme of performance and dance running throughout.

Robert Rauschenberg
Retroactive II
1964
Oil and silk-screen ink print on canvas
213.4 x 152.4 cm
Museum of Contemporary Art Chicago. Partial gift of Stefan T. Edlis and H. Gael Neeson
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York.
Photo: Nathan Keay © MCA Chicago

Robert Rauschenberg
Bed
1955
Combine painting: oil, pencil, toothpaste, and red fingernail polish on pillow, quilt (previously owned by the artist Dorothea Rockburne), and bedsheet mounted on wood supports
191.1 x 80 x 20.3 cm
The Museum of Modern Art, New York
Gift of Leo Castelli in honour of Aldred H. Barr, Jr.
© Robert Rauschenberg Foundation, New York
Image: The Museum of Modern Art, New York/Scala, F

www.tate.org

The 2017 Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair

Jan4

The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair, supported by Wetherell and NFU Mutual Godalming, Westminster Ballroom, London Marriott Hotel, Grosvenor Square, London W1, 5^th – 8^thJanuary 2017

Rare French Empire ormolu mantle timepiece of chariot form with white enamel dial forming the wheel, surmounted by Amour being pulled by two dogs, c1810,
from Richard Price.

I always enjoy both writing about and visiting this fair as it makes a great way of starting a new year. There is a tempting mixture of paintings, watercolours, silver, jewellery, sculpture, clocks and watches, glass, ceramics, rugs and 20^th century design to be seen and purchased.

Allium flower
hand-forged galvanised steel with blown glass, 2.5m or 3.2m,
from QEST scholar Jenny Pickford,

This year the fair will also be showing the skills and works of craft scholars from QEST (The Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust). So you may well be digging deep into your pockets!

Egyptian Amulet of Bes,
2cm long x 1.9cm wide, Ptolemaic period, 332–30 BC,
from Ancient & Oriental

Spanish, Andalusian School, early 19th century
Spanish Guerilla Encampment, Peninsular War
oil on panel
23½” x 31½”
Original Spanish, early 19th century, carved and indistinctly signed G…. ? on a rock lower centre.
Indistinctly inscribed in Spanish on an envelope lower centre, the last word possibly being “Linares”.
Original Spanish, early 19th century, carved and gilded frame,
from Atelier

Gilt decorated amethyst decanter with matching stopper,
Russian, c1790,
from Fileman Antiques

The Harcourt Tiara,
18ct yellow gold and platinum tiara entirely set with fine white diamonds, c1900,
from The Gilded Lily

Mid 19th century walnut stool with tapestry top on raised cabriole legs, c1860,
from S&S Timms Antiques

Lincs
sycamore and acrylic colours, 7” high x4”x4”
from QEST scholar Joey Richardson

View from the Dining Room by Susan Ryder RP NEAC
oil on canvas
signed
30″ x 36″
from Manya Igel Fine Arts

Temple Guardians, signed E Bouret
bronze and ebonised wood, 39cm high, dated 1871 from Hickmet Fine Arts

A rare George III silver drum tea caddy by Andrew Fogelberg, made in London in 1773,
4.5″ x 4″ diameter (base), 13oz,
from Mary Cooke Antiques

http://www.mayfairfair.com

WWII WAR PICTURES

Nov6

WWII War Pictures by British Artists, Morley Gallery, Morley College, 62 Westminster Bridge Road, London, SE1, until 23^rd November 2016

James Hammond Harwood (1904-1980)
Barrage Balloon, 1940
Framed (ref: 7674)
Signed and dated
Watercolour
14 ¼ x 17 ¼ in. (36 x 44 cm)

It is appropriate that Liss Llewellyn Fine Art should hold this exhibition at the Morley Gallery for the College had some very beautiful British murals which were destroyed in the Blitz during the Second World War.

Mary Adshead (1904 – 1995)
Farmers ploughing, Study for The World’s Food mural, c. 1942
Framed (ref: 5282)
Signed, squared in pencil
Watercolour over pencil
4 3/8 x 7 1/2 in. (12.2 x 19 cm)

In 1939 the Ministry of Information set up the War Artists Advisory Committee (WAAC) under the chairmanship of Kenneth Clark who was the National Gallery’s Director and the WAAC were asked to ‘draw up a list of artists qualified to record the war at home and abroad’. In the end some four hundred and three artists were commissioned to record all aspects of the War.

Hubert Arthur Finney (1905-1991)
Self portrait, 1945
Framed (ref: 7654)
Pastel,
17 5/8 x 14 1/8 in. (45 x 36 cm)

An eight volume series of pocket-sized pamphlets – War Pictures by British Artists – was published in two sets of four in 1942 (War at Sea, RAF, Army, and Blitz ) and 1943 (Soldiers, Production, Air Raids and Women) to great success despite the poor quality of the printing. This exhibition includes many of these WAAC artworks as well as those produced by other artists and illustrators who were working privately.

Ethel Leontine Gabain (1883-1950)
Captain Pauline Gower of the Women’s Air Transport Auxiliary
Framed (ref: 7607)
Lithographic print from the series Women’s Work in the War (Other than the Services), published by The Ministry of Information: His Majesty’s Stationery Office
14 7/8 x 19 3/4 in. (37.8 x 50.2 cm.)
Reference: Wright supplement 314

The combination of these works provides us with an exhibition that embraces all aspects of the War and brings the period to life before our eyes. It reminds us of the debt we owe those people in the forces and at home who did their bit unflinchingly. The exhibition is accompanied by an excellent catalogue.

James Walker Tucker ((1898-1972))
Letters from Home
Framed (ref: 7671)
Signed
Watercolour on paper
14 ¼ x 20 ½ in. (36 x 52 cm)

http://www.llfa.gallery

James Woodford (1893–1976)
Dawn Chorus, 1946-7
Unframed (ref: 7581)
Original plaster maquette, with a dark green finish, signed and dated 1946-7, and (titled on a label)
17 x 16 ins. (43 x 40.5 cm)

The 2016 PAD LONDON

Oct3

PAD LONDON, Berkeley Square, London W1, 3^rd-9^th October 2016

Matrice, Patrice, 2015
Fabrice Hyber, Vase d’Igny
Pièces uniques, porcelaine
Hight: 40 cm, diamètre: 11 cm
Courtesy of Sevres

This is the tenth edition of this Fair which combines design and art in a special way that appeals to international collectors. Some sixty-six international galleries are taking part, including fourteen newcomers.

Christopher Duffy
Abyss Horizon, 2016
High grade wood from Forest Stewardship Council managed forests and other controlled sources, glass,
Courtesy of Sarah Myerscough

Among the latter is Sarah Myerscough who brings an exciting group of sculptural pieces to the Fair. The Opera Gallery, also a newcomer, is bringing a display of works by Picasso and Léger as well as examples of Pop Art.

Fernand Leger
Les Quatre Acrobates, 1954
Courtesy of Opera Gallery

Whether you are looking for an artefact from the 1st Millennium BC or the latest contemporary design PAD is the place to come to.

Nic Fiddian Green
Dawn, 2016
Pendant, Blue Chrysomenlanite and 18k gold
Courtesy of Louisa Guinness Gallery

Exceptional Large Fruit Tray in Stoneware. Unique Piece.
Jane Levy – Sevres Manufacture
France, Sevres, dated 1939
H tray : 9 cm / 3.5 in.
L tray : 69 cm / 27.2 in.
D tray : 52 cm / 20.5 in.
H fruits max : cm / in.
Courtesy of DIDIER LUTTENBACHER , Atelier DL

http://www.pad-fairs.com

Alfies at the Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Sep25

The Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11, 27^th September-2^nd October 2016

1930s Art Deco occasional table offered by Travers Antiques

Those fans of the series Poldark and Victoria on television will no doubt find antiques and furnishings to achieve a similar period look at home while those who favour Scandinavian style will find inspiration in the special exhibition Scandi Days & Nordic Nights.

Brass drinks cart offered by Matt Mitchell

Special visitors to this edition of the Fair are a group of dealer’s from the well-known Alfies Antique Market in Church Street, London NW8. Alfies are celebrating a well-deserved fortieth anniversary this year and this special Alfies Marylebone Stand on the Fair’s mezzanine floor is part of the celebrations. I sincerely hope that they will become a regular feature.

Brass lamp offered by Travers Antiques

Among the Alfies dealers taking part are:
The Moderns
Tin Tin Collectables Luggage
Thirteen Interiors
Duncan Clarke
Steven Lazarus
Diplomat Treasures International
Mark Eaton
Louise Verber
Travers Antiques
Matt Mitchell London

www.decorativefair.com

http://www.alfiesantiques.com

Glass end table offered by Louise Verber

Fifties Britain

Aug17

Britain in the Fifties: Design and Aspiration, Compton Verney, Warwickshire, CV35 9HZ, until 2^nd October 2016

Festival of Britain Colour Lithograph Poster © Estate of Abram Games

What a decade it was! Opening with the Festival of Britain in 1951 which played an important role in the fashioning of a new Britain which was recovering and rebuilding itself after the Second World War. The exhibition views the decade through the eyes of a fictional young couple who were setting out in life together and aptly starts with the Festival of Britain itself and goes on to look at various aspects of daily life.

The Experimental House Allesley Village designed in 1958 by Geoffrey Salmon for JM Austin Smith
Photographer unknown

Focusing on housing it considers both exterior and interior design. Famous design names such as Lucienne Day, Robert Welch and Terence Conran, as well as Sanderson, Ercol and Whiteleaf whose distinctive designs were finding customers at home and overseas are included. Home technology grew too with labour-saving electrical devices for the kitchen such as washing machines and food mixers. By 1954 Rationing had ended and by relaxing Hire Purchase controls consumers were able to buy such “luxuries” as a television and indeed by 1956 over half the TV sets were being bought on HP. The British Film Industry flourished with home-grown stars such as Diana Dors and Dirk Bogarde and with films like Bridge on the River Kwai and The Dam Busters attracting audiences both at home and abroad. The decade saw the final flourish of Britain as a place to spend a holiday although this declined in the 1960s as package holidays really took off.

1956, Campden Toastrack, box & Design Centre kitemark label © Robert Welch Designs Ltd

Southend Beach 1950s © Southend Museums Service

The late 50s were a time of economic prosperity and 1959 was both its apogee and also the herald of the 60s. It is an era best summed up the words of Prime Minister Harold Macmillan who said “Go around the country, go to the industrial towns, go to the farms and you will see a state of prosperity such as we have never had in my lifetime …most of our people have never had it so good.”

Wallpaper design ‘Wrappings’ kingfisher red Image courtesy of Sanderson

This exhibition, set against colours of the period, will be both nostalgic to those who lived through it while also being informative and intriguing to newer generations and it is one that I heartily recommend. It depicts a very different, dare I say, friendlier world and one where the new designs of that time still have appeal to a modern day audience.

1965 ercol catalogue, showing a 1950s 308 ercol Folding occasional table
Reproduced by kind permission of ercol

http://www.comptonverney.org.uk

Image of Mobiles fabric ref. 220035 Image courtesy of Sanderson, www.sanderson-uk.com

Image of Mobiles fabric ref. 220035
Image courtesy of Sanderson, http://www.sanderson-uk.com

Masterpiece London 2016 – Preview

Jun29

Masterpiece London 2016, The Bull Ring Gate Entrance, South Grounds, The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3, 30^thJune – 6^th July 2016

Nazy Vassegh, CEO of Masterpiece with J.F. Courville, Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer at the RBC Wealth Management
2015
Courtesy Masterpiece London

Now in its 7^th edition one can easily understand why Masterpiece has become a magnet for collectors and museum curators from around the world. There is a great emphasis on quality and connoisseurship and the pieces on show reflect more than five thousand years of art history – and yes they are for sale.

Vetting during Masterpiece London 2015
Courtesy Masterpiece London

Masterpiece’s chief executive Nazy Vassegh says: ‘I am delighted to announce so many exciting additions to this year’s fair. Masterpiece 2016 will have unrivalled depth and quality, and I am pleased that Masterpiece continues to strengthen every edition. We are looking forward to another great year.’

It truly is a must visit fair and allow yourself plenty of time because there are so many exciting things to see and tempt. Like me you may well want visit more than once.

Vetting during Masterpiece London 2015
Courtesy Masterpiece London

Over the coming days I will post varied selections of what is on show.

http://www.masterpiecefair.com

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Art & Antiques, etc – news from London and around

Category Archives: Posters

The Collection of Raine, Countess Spencer

The 2017 Summer Olympia Art & Antiques Fair

A new exhibitor at The Spring Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Rauschenberg

The 2017 Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair

WWII WAR PICTURES

The 2016 PAD LONDON

Alfies at the Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair

Fifties Britain

Masterpiece London 2016 – Preview