Dance to fame: silver from the Royal Academy of Arts »
A fine and historic pair of presentation sterling silver entree dishes and covers by Robert Garrard, London 1809, each domed oval with gadroon edging, covers engraved with a family crest and motto: VIRTUTEM SEQUITUR FAMA, interior of dishes similarly engraved in two places. Covers with removable strawberry and leaf finials and further engraved with a presentation […]
. View Post » Sir John Herschel’s “horn of Africa” silver beakers »
A pair of silver lined buffalo horn beakers, mounted by Charles Rawlings & William Summers, London 1839, engraved with the crest of Sir John Herschel (1792-1871); height of each approx. 116mm / 4 5/8 inches. This pair of beakers belonged to the famed mathematician and astronomer Sir John Herschel. Son of the celebrated astronomer and discoverer […]
. View Post » The face of Nelson »
In 2014, in association with Sotheby’s, I identified, researched and negotiated the sale to the Royal Naval Museum Portsmouth of a newly-discovered life mask in plaster of Admiral Lord Nelson. The mask, discovered in a private collection in the USA, is a finer example with earlier provenance than two other similar masks: one also at RNM, the other […]
. View Post » Jane Austen family seal »
A gold and yellow agate fob seal engraved with the Austen family crest and initials J.T.A., English, circa 1810. Height approx: 30 mm / 1 1/8″; stone approx: 20mm x 17mm; 7/8″ x 3/4″. This rare relic belonged to John Thomas Austen (1794-1876), the son of Major John Austen and his wife Harriet Hussey and second […]
. View Post » Newly discovered portrait of Isabella Parry, wife of Polar explorer Sir Edward Parry »
Miniature portrait of Isabella Louisa Parry (1801-39), watercolour on ivory, English School, circa 1826, rectangular 100 x 75mm (4″ x 3 ″), later gold mount within giltwood frame, annotated in a later hand on reverse of frame: Isabella, Lady Parry, For Hugh This beautiful rediscovered miniature portrays the first wife of the Arctic explorer Sir (William) Edward […]
. View Post » The Waterloo Candlesticks »
In the run-up to the 2015 bicentenary of the battle of Waterloo, I sold this wonderful set of silver gilt candlesticks which belonged to General Rowland Hill who was second in command to the duke of Wellington at the battle. A SET OF FOUR LARGE GEORGE III SILVER GILT CANDLESTICKS MARK OF WILLIAM PITTS, LONDON, […]
. View Post » Marine Masterpiece by Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821) »
In 2014, in association with Corfield Morris Fine Art Advisers, I negotiated the sale by private treaty of an important painting by renowned 18th century marine artist Nicholas Pocock (1740-1821). This large work (canvas size approx: 40” x 60” / 1016mm x 1525mm) was entitled: HIS MAJESTYS Ships S.t Fiorenzo Capt Sir H. Neale Bart […]
. View Post » The Collingwood collection »
Although overshadowed by his illustrious contemporary, friend and colleague Horatio Nelson; Cuthbert Collingwood (1750-1810) enjoyed an equally distinguished career at sea. After serving with Nelson in the West Indies, the two officers fought alongside each other at the battle of Cape St Vincent in 1797. Following a brief meeting in England in 1800, the two […]
. View Post » Lost face of Nelson’s “son” »
This miniature which I discovered in his family’s collection, finally revealed the face of Nelson’s favourite and most enigmatic protégé Edward Thornbrough Parker, frequently referred to by the admiral in intimate terms as his ‛dear son and friend’. Until recently very little was known about the enigmatic young officer whose life was so tragically cut […]
. View Post » Nelson’s watch »
In 2004, shortly after the publication of Nelson’s Purse, I was contacted by the owner of a remarkable Nelson treasure. Recently inherited, the watch had been on loan since 1962 to the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich, although it was in the reserve collection and not on public exhibition view when I visited the museum […]
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