The Earl’s Machine »
In 2008, I curated the widely-acclaimed exhibition of a very rare calculating machine invented by the extraordinary and colourful Charles, 3rd Earl Stanhope (1753-1816) at the Winter Fine Art & Antiques Fair, Olympia by courtesy of the Trustees of the Chevening Estate. Chevening in Kent was the home of the Stanhope family for almost 250 years […]
. View Post » Warts and All »
In 2013, I wrote the catalogue entry for a plaster cast of the Death-mask of Oliver Cromwell from the collection at Warwick Castle which accompanied an exhibition of miniatures by Samuel Cooper (1607-1672) at Philip Mould & Company, London W1. Oliver Cromwell by Unknown artist, plaster cast of death-mask, probably 19th century When Oliver Cromwell […]
. View Post » Composer Cipriani Potter’s “Truth” seal »
Gilt metal pendent fob with chased foliate and fox mask motif decoration set with a rectangular foiled back rock crystal seal engraved with a quill and legend TRUTH, English, circa 1830. Height approx: 25mm / 1 inch: £1500. Accompanied by a letter of family provenance dated October 1909 stating descent from Sir Wyndham Dunstan (1861-1949), […]
. View Post » 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 […]
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