Tag Archives: Ethnographic Art

Curiosities

EVERY OBJECT TELLS A STORY, 33 Fitzroy Square, London W1, until 26 June 2015

Gandhara Schist Head of the Buddha Afghanistan, 3rd Century AD Size: 36cm high

Gandhara Schist Head of the Buddha
Afghanistan, 3rd Century AD
Size: 36cm high

The independent dealer, Oliver Hoare, who specialises in Islamic Art, has put together a fascinating selling exhibition of more than two hundred and fifty pieces drawn from around the world over a time span of five thousand years. Their common denominator is that they are of interest historically and often have an interesting provenance.

Anthology of Poetry Probably Herat, Afghanistan, early 16th century AD Size: 22.5 x 15cm Lacquer binding, circa 16th century AD

Anthology of Poetry
Probably Herat, Afghanistan, early 16th century AD
Size: 22.5 x 15cm
Lacquer binding, circa 16th century AD

They range from a rare surviving Dodo bone to the 13th Dalai Lama’s Double Bass, via a 14th century Alchemist’s mortar, a 16th century anthology of poetry owned by Mughal Emperors and a very rare Eskimo’s baby blanket. A true pot-pourri of objects and pictures that will intrigue and delight visitors although some may find part of the collection of scrimshaw a bit explicit!

13th Dalai Lama’s Double Bass Lhasa, Tibet, 1920s Size: instrument 170 x 56cm

13th Dalai Lama’s Double Bass
Lhasa, Tibet, 1920s
Size: instrument 170 x 56cm

It is best summed up by Oliver Hoare: “The point of the exhibition, as its title announces, is to celebrate the fascinating and often peculiar stories attached to works of art. The criterion for what is presented has little to do with the value of objects and therefore it differs from the more conventional ‘Cabinets of Curiosities’. Nor does it necessarily reflect the current canon of what is seen as beautiful or culturally significant, although there are significant and beautiful works of art by anyone’s standards. The objects will be displayed like a private collection in the magnificent Robert Adam rooms at 33 Fitzroy Square, once home to the Omega Workshop. The catalogue is, hopefully, the work of a storyteller’s art, and I hope that anyone with an interest in history, art, or a good and unusual story, will come to visit and explore the exhibition”.

Bronze skeleton of a dodo Cast in 2000 Size: 70cm high Pangolin Editions

Bronze skeleton of a dodo
Cast in 2000
Size: 70cm high
Pangolin Editions

http://www.everyobjecttellsastory.com

British Library

Lines in the Ice: Seeking the Northwest Passage, British Library, 96 Euston Road
London NW1, until 19th April 2015.

Boat-Cloak or Cloak-Boat, Peter Halkett (1848) on display in Lines in the Ice - this boat, developed in London and tested on the River Thames, was an early inflatable dinghy that doubled as a cloak (with a sail that doubled as an umbrella). Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

Boat-Cloak or Cloak-Boat, Peter Halkett (1848) on display in Lines in the Ice – this boat, developed in London and tested on the River Thames, was an early inflatable dinghy that doubled as a cloak (with a sail that doubled as an umbrella).
Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

The news of the discovery of one of Sir John Franklin’s lost ships (HMS Erebus) last year in the words of Philip Hatfield, the chief curator of this show, ‘has reminded us of the pull the Arctic has on our imagination. For centuries explorers have searched for routes through and resources in the Arctic, and while men like Frobisher sought gold today’s searches are for black gold. Lines in the Ice looks at this long history of exploration, the threads that link it together and the reasons we are still interested in the Arctic today.’

A map of the North Pole and parts adjoining’, Moses Pitt, from The English Atlas (1680) - the personal atlas of King Charles II. Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

A map of the North Pole and parts adjoining’, Moses Pitt, from The English Atlas (1680) – the personal atlas of King Charles II.
Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

Indeed the show makes the point well, concentrating on the three leading Arctic explorers who sought to find the legendary Northwest Passage – Martin Frobisher, Sir John Franklin and Roald Amundsen. The exhibition uses items and objects, some of which are quirky, from Europe, Canada and the Arctic to give a good idea of life there.

A photograph taken during the Arctic expedition of 1875-76 on display in Lines in the Ice. Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

A photograph taken during the Arctic expedition of 1875-76 on display in Lines in the Ice.
Photograph courtesy of the British Library.

http://www.bl.uk/

The world we live in, c. 1958, on display in Lines in the Ice. Photography courtesy of British Library.

The world we live in, c. 1958, on display in Lines in the Ice.
Photography courtesy of British Library.

PAD LONDON

Pavilion of Art + Design London, Berkeley Square, Mayfair, W1, 15th-19th October 2014

Tloupas Philolaos Ensemble of six objects, bouteilles, boîte, entonnoir et saleron, en inox (stainless-steel) ciselé. C 1960. © Mathieu Ferrier Courtesy of ALB Antiquities – Antoine Broccardo

Tloupas Philolaos
Ensemble of six objects, bouteilles, boîte, entonnoir et saleron, en inox (stainless-steel) ciselé. C 1960.
© Mathieu Ferrier
Courtesy of ALB Antiquities – Antoine Broccardo

PAD London returns for its eighth year and still flies the flag as a destination for the best in 20th Century and contemporary arts and design. The sixty-two exhibitors include some who sell antiquities and ethnographical art and this year Finch & Co show a veritable cabinet of curiosities with items from around the world.

Ethnic group : SONGYE Country : Congo Period : Early 20th century Material : Wood and polychromy Height : 20 in. Origin : Formerly in a French collection Photo © Hughes Dubois Courtesy of Lucas Ratton

Ethnic group : SONGYE
Country : Congo
Period : Early 20th century
Material : Wood and polychromy
Height : 20 in.
Origin : Formerly in a French collection
Photo © Hughes Dubois
Courtesy of Lucas Ratton

An exciting newcomer to the show is the famous French porcelain factory and museum Sèvres – Cité de la céramique. Although established in 1740 it still flourishes today and will be showing commissioned modern and contemporary pieces by leading designers. Don’t miss the life-size ceramic dress by the Brazilian fashion designer Gustavo Lins.

Gustavo Lins Robe 2013 Unique piece Soft-paste porcelain biscuit, petit-feu grey glaze, gold, bronze structure and LEDs. This work was presented in January 2013 during Gustavo Lins’ spring/summer haute couture show. Copyright: Gérard Jonca for Sèvres-Cité de la céramique

Gustavo Lins
Robe
2013
Unique piece
Soft-paste porcelain biscuit, petit-feu grey glaze, gold, bronze structure and LEDs.
This work was presented in January 2013 during Gustavo Lins’ spring/summer haute couture show.
Copyright: Gérard Jonca for Sèvres-Cité de la céramique

http://www.pad-fairs.com/london/en

PAUL EVANS Faceted Cabinet Usa 1970 Paul Evans for Studio Diectional Cabinet features two bi-fold doors concealing four adjustable shelves Chrome-plated steel Laminate wood Dimension 84w x 25d x 32.25 inches, 213 w x 63.5 d x 82 cm Courtesy of Galleria Rosella Colombari

PAUL EVANS
Faceted Cabinet
Usa 1970
Paul Evans for Studio Diectional
Cabinet features two bi-fold doors concealing four adjustable shelves
Chrome-plated steel
Laminate wood
Dimension 84w x 25d x 32.25 inches, 213 w x 63.5 d x 82 cm
Courtesy of Galleria Rosella Colombari

Agostino Bonalumi (Vimercate 1935 – 2013 Milan) Rosso 1965 Shaped canvas and vinyl tempera, 110.5 x 100cm/43.3x 39.4in Signed and dated on the back Authentication number: 65-072 Courtesy of Robilant + Voena

Agostino Bonalumi (Vimercate 1935 – 2013 Milan)
Rosso
1965
Shaped canvas and vinyl tempera,
110.5 x 100cm/43.3x 39.4in
Signed and dated on the back
Authentication number: 65-072
Courtesy of Robilant + Voena

Atelier Van Lieshout | Caretaker Lamp 2014 Patinated Bronze H72 D38 Cm / H28.3 D15 In Limited Edition Of 8 + 4 Ap Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery

Atelier Van Lieshout | Caretaker Lamp
2014
Patinated Bronze
H72 D38 Cm / H28.3 D15 In
Limited Edition Of 8 + 4 Ap
Courtesy of Carpenters Workshop Gallery

Carlos Cruz Diez Chromointerférence, 2013 18 kt yellow gold in black rhodium, impresac acrylic with UV pigment. 6 cm diameter Edition of 10 Signed and numbered Courtesy of Elisabetta Cipriani

Carlos Cruz Diez
Chromointerférence, 2013
18 kt yellow gold in black rhodium, impresac acrylic with UV pigment.
6 cm diameter
Edition of 10
Signed and numbered
Courtesy of Elisabetta Cipriani

‘The Collector’s Cabinet’ at Anthony Outred

‘The Collector’s Cabinet’ at Anthony Outred, 72 & 74 Pimlico Road, London, SW1W 8LS, until Monday 7th April 2014, (closing 6pm)

invite

The phenomenon known as The Collector’s Cabinet (Kunstkammer or Wunderkammer) wherin rare and curious objects were displayed and enjoyed, emerged during the Renaissance and at first was the province of Princes and nobles but as the time went on scholars, collectors and merchants were also able to put  together their own collector’s cabinets according to their wealth and interests.
skull comp
In this new exhibition Anthony Outred have assembled over fifty unusual pieces to provide a modern day version of the Collector’s Cabinet to entice a new generation. There are rare taxidermy items, African and Far Eastern artefacts, carved ivories, objets de Vertu, cabinets and boxes and memento mori to choose from. A veritable and enticing feast for the eye and mind. And if you subscribe to Anthony Outred’s tenet that ‘A man without a collection is a man without a soul’ then this is certainly the place for you.
1-Silver cabinet low res

http://www.outred.co.uk

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Winter Fair, 21-26 January 2014 at Battersea Evolution

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Winter Fair, 21-26 January 2014 at Battersea Evolution, Battersea Park, London SW11

One can understand the continuing popularity of this fair with its combination of 20th century and period design.  If you were inspired by my recent blog on the interior designer Michael Inchbald then this is the place to go in order to create a similar look for yourself.

Classic Aubusson rug using an 18th Century style design (although this example was woven in the 19th Century). The size is 4.86 x 4.06 metres - 16' x 13' 4 feet. £15,000 Gallery Yacou

Classic Aubusson rug using an 18th Century style design (although this example was woven in the 19th Century). The size is 4.86 x 4.06 metres – 16′ x 13′ 4 feet.
£15,000
Gallery Yacou

The forthcoming Sochi 2014 Winter Olympics is the focus of a special selling exhibition of Russian winter sports paintings garnered over the last two decades from artists’ studios in St Petersburg by Fair exhibitor John Barkes, who deals in Soviet realist paintings here in London.  They can be seen in the brasserie.

Vitali Tyulenyev 1937-1997 ‘’Climbing in the High Caucasus ‘’, 1968 oil on canvas 95 x 115 cm Priced about £12,500


Vitali Tyulenyev 1937-1997
‘’Climbing in the High Caucasus ‘’, 1968
oil on canvas 95 x 115 cm
Priced about £12,500

Miss Austen at Home: from Mansfield Park to Chawton is an exhibition to mark the bi-centenary of Mansfield Park with a display of interiors that would have a resonance with Jane Austen.  It has been curated by Helen Linfield, a period furniture specialist.  The items used come from Fair exhibitors and are for sale.

Late C18th and early C19th Blue & White English pottery: Rectangular plate (cut border) Rogers Zebra pattern c1815, £220; Loving cup, Italian pattern, £235; Jug, Rathbone, c1825, £275; Cachepot/flowerpot, Adams ‘Cattle Scenery’ c1900, £275; Potted meat tub, c1790, £185 Exhibitor: Sue Norman

Late C18th and early C19th Blue & White English pottery: Rectangular plate (cut border) Rogers Zebra pattern c1815, £220; Loving cup, Italian pattern, £235; Jug, Rathbone, c1825, £275; Cachepot/flowerpot, Adams ‘Cattle Scenery’ c1900, £275; Potted meat tub, c1790, £185
Exhibitor: Sue Norman

Among newcomers to this Fair are picture dealer William Thuillier, Clive Loveless who is showing tribal art and furniture dealers Christopher Buck and Horneman Antiques Ltd.

The Marlborough Family Mezzotint engraving by Charles Turner from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds Published 24th October, 1815 by C.Turner, No 50 Warren Street, Fitzroy Square Image size: 29 3/4 x 26 1/4 in / 75.5 x 67 cm Price £2,350 Dealer: Nicholas Price

The Marlborough Family
Mezzotint engraving by Charles Turner
from a painting by Sir Joshua Reynolds
Published 24th October, 1815 by C.Turner,
No 50 Warren Street, Fitzroy Square
Image size: 29 3/4 x 26 1/4 in / 75.5 x 67 cm
Price £2,350
Dealer: Nicholas Price

The rare chest below may make the perfect gift for Burns Night on the 25th.

A very rare Regency bow front chest of drawers decorated in the Victorian period in tartan ware with added highland vignettes. This type of work is normally attributed to the town of Mauchline in Ayrshire, however it is unusual if not completely unprecedented to see a piece on this scale. The town is mostly associated with tartan trinket boxes and book covers. Both the National Museum of Scotland, and the National Trust Scotland, have been shown pictures and neither has ever seen a tartan ware piece on such a scale. The largest item known to (and in fact owned by) the Museum is an occasional table/ chessboard. 101cm h x 103cm w 51cm deep For sale at £7200, Drennan Edinburgh

A very rare Regency bow front chest of drawers decorated in the Victorian period in tartan ware with added highland vignettes. This type of work is normally attributed to the town of Mauchline in Ayrshire, however it is unusual if not completely unprecedented to see a piece on this scale. The town is mostly associated with tartan trinket boxes and book covers.
Both the National Museum of Scotland, and the National Trust Scotland, have been shown pictures and neither has ever seen a tartan ware piece on such a scale. The largest item known to (and in fact owned by) the Museum is an occasional table/ chessboard.
101cm h x 103cm w 51cm deep
For sale at £7200, Drennan Edinburgh

Free shuttles from Sloane Square – visitor info at www.decorativefair.com

Tribal Perspectives, Gallery 28, 2-5 October 2013

Tribal Perspectives

Gallery 28, Cork Street, Mayfair, London, 2-5 October 2013

This pop-up show is the only one of its type in the UK and brings together a group of international dealers specialising in tribal and ethnographic art, including African and Aboriginal.

Chris Boylan Maori Fish Hook, New Zealand 19th Century Collected 1875. ex-private museum South Australia PRICE: 18,000 POUNDS

Chris Boylan
Maori Fish Hook, New Zealand
19th Century
Collected 1875. ex-private museum South Australia
PRICE: 18,000 POUNDS

There is a wide variety of textiles, tribal masks and many other objects to see.  Many of these were specially made for ceremonial or ritual use.  Jewellery, arms and armour and headpieces are also featured.  It is an interesting fact that some of the larger pieces are also highly regarded by some collectors for their significant decorative qualities alongside their important historic and cultural values.

Adam Prout Tahitian Bark cloth 19th Century 60cm x 60cm £3,500

Adam Prout
Tahitian Bark cloth 19th Century 60cm x 60cm £3,500

This is an important exhibition with talks and lectures also taking place.

www.tribalperspectives.com

 

Tribal Gathering (Bryan Reeves) Altar or fetish piece. Used by a tribal chief. Early missionary contact and influence. Luba culture - DRC. Circa - Early 1900's. £1800

Tribal Gathering (Bryan Reeves)
Altar or fetish piece. Used by a tribal chief. Early missionary contact and influence.
Luba culture – DRC.
Circa – Early 1900’s.
£1800

Opening Times Wednesday 2nd October 6.30pm – 9pm

Thursday 3rd October 11am – 9pm

Friday 4th October 11am-7pm

Saturday 5th October 11am-5.30pm

Admission is free.

All images are copyright