Here we share 10 of the finest or most interesting lots in our July 7 Summer Country House Fine Art Auction at Bishton Hall, Staffordshire. Browse the catalogue and bid now at www.hansonslive.co.uk.
Victorian Centrepiece | Lot 23
If you want to make a statement at a dinner party, this large Victorian silver and cut-glass centrepiece by Elkington & Co, Birmingham, 1874, no. 11610 is truly magnificent, below right. The cut-glass bowl (minor chip to the underside) supported by a scrolling pierced band with swag and classical mask decoration on three cast rams head monopodia, on a concave triangular base raised on three lions paw feet £1,500-£2,500.
Bronze brilliance | Lot 74
This striking small bronze, above left, is by Countess Feodora Von Gleichen (British, 1861-1922). It depicts Francis Clark in formal Highland formal. It is signed on the base F. Gleichen 1895.It stands 40cm high and comes with a framed photographic print of Francis Clark
Countess Feodora Georgina Maud Gleichen was a relative of Queen Victoria and studied at the Slade School under Alphonse Legros and then in Rome, she regularly exhibited at the Royal Academy and the New Dudley Gallery. She was posthumously named as the first woman member of the Royal British Society of Sculptures. Her major works include the 1906 Bronze statue of Diana in Hyde Park and the 1914 statue of Florence Nightingale at the Derbyshire Infirmary
Francis Clark (1841-1895) was the Nephew of John Brown, Queen Victoria’s faithful personal attendant and former ghillie to her late Husband Prince Albert, Clark was the Queens Highland Attendant for 25 years a role he shared with John Browns brother Hugh, he was awarded the Victoria Faithful Service Medal for 21 years’ service in 1891, he died in Buckingham Palace and is buried at Braemar. £1,500-£2,000.
French Fan Flair | Lot 76
Feminine charm and artistry come to the fore in this mid-18th century French fan, below right. The vellum is hand painted and with a gilt rim and decorated with a fete champetre scene on one side and a chinoiserie landscape on the other. It sits in a carved ivory frame with silvering and gold leaf, and gold painted loop, with its fitted case. £800-£1,200
18th Century Interiors | Lot 287
We adore the quality and workmanship displayed in this 18th Century early George III Welsh oak chest on stand, circa 1760, above left. Crossbanded throughout, the upper section has two short drawers with integral securing mechanisms over three long drawers with brass drop handles and escutcheons. The base section has tripe frieze drawers above an ogee moulded base on short cabriole legs. £800-£1,200
Highland Landscape | Lot 114
An atmospheric oil painting in our July sales celebrates Scotland’s Highland cattle but its roots are firmly in Derbyshire. It’s by Derbyshire born-and-bred artist Louis Bosworth Hurt (1856-1929). Born in Ashbourne, he became a student of George Turner. Turner was known as Derbyshire’s John Constable due to similar painting styles and Hurt’s glorious oil on canvas shares their passion for landscape.
Hurt and his wife Harriet kept Highland cattle in Derbyshire. The artist is renowned for his paintings of them and also for studies he made of Highland cattle in Scotland.
Hurt exhibited 13 times at the Royal Academy in the 1880s and 1890s. The Russell-Cotes Art Gallery and Museum in Bournemouth holds a large collection of his paintings as it was founded by one of Hurt’s patrons. He also has paintings exhibited in Reading, Manchester, Rotherham and Sheffield. £750-£1,200
Silver Style | Lot 42
Make a stylish antique silver statement with this matched set of four silver candlesticks with square floral embossed bases. They deliver centuries of silversmithing quality as two were made in London in 1765 while the other pair were made in London in 1845. £1,200-£1,500
Slavery Seal | Lot 78
An object that delivers a piece of social history is a George III brass and ebonized wood slavery seal. The base is engraved with a monogram and the border with ‘Registrar of Slaves’, 7cm high. £150-200
Bay Hunter Oil Painting | Lot 147
This evocative oil on canvas by Walter Harrowing (British, fl. 1877-1904) dates back to 1893. It shows a Bay Hunter in stable and is signed and dated lower right. It comes in its original gilt frame with a Greek key motif to the inner moulding. £300-£500
Card Table | Lot 243
You can’t help but admire the the workmanship in this A19th Century Dutch mahogany and satinwood foliate marquetry fold-over card table. Rectangular in shape it has draw-legged supports, raised on square tapering supports. 77cm H x 83cm W x 41cm D 82cm when the card table is open. £200-300
Campaign chest | Lot 177
More quality antique furniture comes to the fore with this 19th century mahogany and walnut campaign chest. It divides into two parts, mounted with brass corners, and contains two short over three long drawers with moulded brass handles, raised on turned supports. 109cm H x100cm W x 44cm D. £200-300
