Loveday

A Rare and Unusual Pair of 18th Century Spanish Colonial 'Enconchado' Mirrors Veneered in Tortoiseshell and Inlaid With Bone and Mother of Pearl Made in Lima (Peru) or Mexico Circa 1720 Provenance One of the mirrors with a fragmentary label printed with "Bodmer", possibly relating to one of the branches of the Bodmer family in Switzerland, some of whom were renowned collectors of South American art The mirrors of rectangular form with ripple moulded outer borders framing tortoishell veneered inner borders inlaid with fine bone stringing and sinuous floral motifs inlaid in mother of pearl. The sight edges also veneered and inlaid with a repeating geometric motif. The mirrors are notable for the fine quality of the inlay, their unusually large size for this date, in particular the size of the plates themselves (possibly original) and the fact that they are a pair. The term 'Enconchado' comes from Spanish colonial art, particularly associated with Mexico, comprising of oil paintings inlaid with mother of pearl and other iridescent minerals. This form of art is discussed in great detail by Miguel Arisa in his essay Luminosity in Mexican Enconchado Paintings and Conceptions of the Sacred in Visual Culture and Indigenous Agency in the Early Americas, The Early Americas: History and Culture, Volume: 10 Chapter 4 (October 2021). He argues that the development of this style was an attempt to combine pre-Hispanic indigenous South American traditions regarding the sacred properties of "shiny objects" and "Baroque concepts of the miraculous", the sparkling inlay adding to the power of the European religious imagery. Mirrors such as the present pair are likewise cross-cultural objects, fusing European form and aesthetic concerns with indigenous craftsmanship to create objects of great prestige and decorative appeal. The ripple mouldings are clearly the result of a 17th century Dutch...

Extremely fine marble group of Bacchus and Ariadne after the antique attributed to Carlo Albacini (1734 – 1813) Italy Rome circa 1800 Provenance A French Private Collection Carved in the round of white marble, the young couple shown walking and apparently exchanging words, his left arm gently wrapped around her shoulder, upholding part of her drapery, a wreath of fruit-bearing vines placed on his head, while hers shows no berries, from her right shoulder suspended a suggestive skin of a goat. In excellent condition having a restoration on Ariadne's left index finger. This finely carved sculptural group is one of a number of known examples of this subject, all inspired by a Greco-Roman classical original 1st and 2nd centuries A.D which is now in the Museum of Fine Arts in Boston (inv.68.770). Demonstrating the beginning of Bacchus' courtship of Ariadne and illustrates the “Return to Antiquity” which was expressed in numerous archaeological works in Rome at the end of the 18th Century. The subject matter made it perfect for a wide variety of settings and fine copies of the subject which survive in such collections as the Rothschilds at Waddesdon Manor, the Pitti Palace in Florence, the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Nantes, the Musées royaux des Beaux-Arts de Belgique and the National Trust property Erddig in Wales. This marble is exemplary of neoclassical aesthetics, by its ancient origin and by the creativity of the sculptor who perfectly links these two figures in the manner of Antonio Canova's standing groups (see Daedalus and Icarus or Venus and Adonis). This marble represents a moment of tender complicity illustrating the ability of neoclassical sculptors to detach themselves from ancient rigour in order to introduce an ideal of softness into their works. These two figures are not simply next to each other, but marry through the fusion of their drapes, through the play of glances and through the embracing gesture of Bacchus. Of the surviving 18th and early 19th century examples of this group, the finest are signed by or attributed to the Italian master Carlo Albacini (1734-1813). Albacini was a restorer of ancient marbles who worked extensively on such aristocratic assemblages as the Charles Townley collection, later to form the basis of the fine sculpture collections at the British Museum, whilst also creating copies of these antique pieces for his elite clientele. Aside from Townley, one of the most interesting and important English collectors of this period was the Earl of Bristol who had a fine house in Naples, a London townhouse and his Suffolk family seat Ickworth which he intended to fill with exceptional examples of art of all kinds. Bristol was a great patron of Italian artists and a chimneypiece from his collection that was supplied for his Italian home and later fitted at Ickworth was sold at Sotheby's on the 26th of November 2003 lot 87. This exceptionally carved chimneypiece...

Wonderful Quality French Aesthetic Period “Japonisme” Faux Bamboo Hall Stand of Grand Proportions with Central Mirror French Circa 1890 Of b...

An Exceptional Boulle and Ormolu Mounted Games Table in the French Louis XVI style attributed to Thomas Parker (active 1805-1830) English Circa 1825 C...

A very fine and interesting late 17th century English work box or travelling case English Circa 1680 Of conventional form with slightly domed lid, this piece has acquired a magnifi...

Impressive Pair of Huge Italian Portasanta and Rosso Antico Marble Obelisks Italy circa 1910. Of choice cuts of Portasanta marble, visually supported on spheres carved of Rosso A...

An Exceptional and Highly Important Micromosaic Gold Mounted Jasper Snuff Box, most probably by Gioacchino Barberi with the box likely by Moulinié, ...

An Elegant Patinated Bronze Figure of a Roman Orator probably Julius Cesar by Mathurin Moreau 1822-1912, Signed Moreau Math Exposition des Beaux 1...

An extremely fine 19th Century Ball and Claw Down Feather Sofa after the Ramsden ball and claw model by Howard and Sons English circa 1880-1900 Wonderf...

A superb quality late 19th century walnut double chair back sofa / settee after a George II design of Giles Grendey’s . English Circa 1880. A wonderful sofa having scroll back supp...

A very fine and impressive European walnut monopodia library armchair, upholstered in a Rosie Uniacke cotton velvet moss, an almost identical armchair having been published in ‘Engli...

A very stylish and unusual large mid 20th century curved Italian three light floor lamp. Italian Circa 1960-70s Of unusual form, the tapered and shaped rectangular brass base i...

A wonderfully impressive large gilt bronze and cut glass lustre, twenty-five-light two-tier chandelier in the Louis XV style. French late 19th Century - Circa 1890-1900. Of Rococo design with tiers of glass lustres, the foliate cast corona supporting two graduated tiers of leaf cast scrolling candlebranches, issuing from a pierced leaf and lily-cast compound baluster stem, finishing with a pierced finial. In excellent condition having been recently cleaned, rewired and PAT tested, having the original gilt bronze ceiling...

A highly impressive rare French carved Régence period giltwood fauteuil / armchair of imposing proportions with needlework upholstery. French - circa 1715 Of grand scale, this ...

An unusual French Empire mahogany reclining wing back armchair of high proportions. French, Circa 1820. Of elegant proportions, having an un...

A fine late 18th Century George III Satinwood and sabicu ladies writing cabinet with important provenance. (Possibly by George Simpson) English London made - Circa 1785 Provenance Exhibited by W. R. Harvey in their Old Bond Street showrooms in 1986 and 1987, the piece being chosen to be advertised in Country Life magazine in 1986 and in the Grosvenor House...

A rare and finely constructed circular satinwood centre table most probably by Henry Thomas Peters of Genoa. Italy Circa 1830. The circular tilt top having a finely chosen cuts of book-matched West Indian satinwood veneer with a rosewood banded and moulded edge over a splayed in-curved quatroform base, terminating on four acanthus carved scrolled rosewood lions paw feet raised on brass castors. A very fine table with wide cuts of satinwood which would have been extremely expensive in the early 19th Century. Inspired by the French Empire design as viewed through the lens of English Regency, in particular the designs of Thomas Hope of 1807, along with the construction all point to Henry Thomas Peters being the maker, active in Genova around 1820 to 1850, being one of the leading cabinet makers of the period obtaining the title of ‘cabinetmaker of his Majesty’. Henry Thomas Peters’ English antecedents remain obscure although he probably began his career in England. However, he is not listed in Beard and Gilbert’s Dictionary of English Furniture Makers 1660-1840. He arrived in Genoa in circa 1817, and by 1824 had established a workshop in Via Balbi, a neighbourhood in which the Royal Palace and other noble residences were located; today some of his works are preserved in the Palazzo Rosso, Genoa and were probably bequests from the various aristocratic families for whom he worked, including the Brignole Sale family. Peters was appointed by the Court of Savoy and produced furniture for their palaces in Turin, Genoa and Racconigi including the Palazzo Reale. Notably, in 1841, furniture for the wedding of Prince Vittorio Emanuele. In 1846, Peters and his extensive workshop won the silver medal at the Esposizione dei Prodotti e delle Manifatture Nazionali. As pointed out Peters was famed for producing furniture with the technical accuracy typical of English but adapted to the late Italian Empire style. A set of six Italian Giltwood...

Extremely fine pair of decorative 19th Century Italian painted and parcel gilt armchairs of neo-classical design. Italian Late 19th C - Circa 1880. Oozing style these very attr...

An elegant and rare early 19th century burr root maple drum top table on splayed triform base. Scandinavian circa 1820. The circular top with ra...

An extremely fine gilt bronze mounted parquetry kidney shaped writing table attributed to Gillows of Lancaster. English Circa 1865 The rosewood lozenge trellis inlaid kidney shape...

A fine pair of walnut Baroque Italian armchairs dating to the middle part of the 17th century retaining parts of extremely old leather seating. Italian circa 1650-70. T...

An extremely rare pair of Regency cast-iron sarcophagus shaped strong boxes. Regency, circa 1820 Painted to simulate palisander wood and with parcel-gilt, the cavetto-moulded hinged lids cast with flower sprays above foliate-cast bands over front panels relieved with river gods within canted corners cast with standing muses, the sides with lion mask and ring handles over leafy aprons on massive lion’s paw feet; the Brahmah type lock stamped “T. Davis from London” and impressed with the Royal Crown. These extraordinary pieces are modelled on Regency wine coolers. The forms are classic Greco-Roman revival with the boat-hook handles, mythic figures and the overall sarcophagus pattern. You would struggle to find one let alone a pair. Good items for any collection. Research on going into these strong boxes but we have found possible information on the lock stamped Davis….(historyoflocks ) The relationship of King George III and George Davis of Windsor, who was locksmith in ordinary to His Majesty. Davis, in 1799, invented and patented a unique style of lock, which was also beautifully engraved with a warning not to make duplicate keys. Sensitive government secrets always demanded, then as today, locks that were state of the art. Davis locks ended up on government dispatch boxes...

An extremely elegant, rare Regency amboyna and brass inlaid gilt bronze mounted pier table. Provenance Part of Sir William Whitfield Collection. English Regency period, Circa 1815. The raised back with open shelf, surmounted by a pierced anthemion three quarter brass gallery above a rectangular mirror plate, flanked by gilt bronze pierced foliate scrolled supports, over a finely coloured amboyna and banded top above cut brass inlaid frieze drawer decorated with anthemion and flower head motif. The dual tapering scroll supports with palmette lappet surmounts and cut brass inlay terminate on gilt bronze claw feet, flanking a later large mirror plate to the rear, raised on a inverted breakfront plinth base edged with gilt bonze beading. Formerly in the collection of Sir William Whitfield. This elegant Regency pier table is a superb example with its fine quality mounts and distinctive amboyna veneers which are rarely found on furniture of this period. The condition is excellent, having the most wonderful colour and patination to the finest cuts of amboyna that would have been available, during the early 19th century this veneer was thought to be worth more in its weight than gold. This table would have almost certainly been especially commissioned, further research maybe undertaken to find a comparative example and insight to a potential maker. As such pieces in amboyna are far rarer, an example of pier table has yet to be found, but an amboyna sofa table with extremely similar brass inlay and form can be seen in Clifford Musgrave’s book Regency Furniture, published by Faber and Faber in 1961, plate 63. It is from the Royal Collection and the caption includes ‘made about 1816 for Clarement,’ (Claremont) ‘ Esher, Surrey, home of the Princess Charlotte...

A very comfortable pair of Art Deco 20th century ebonised armchairs upholstered in an off white crushed velvet. French Circa 1930-40. The ...

Rare and outstanding example of an early 19th century Anglo-Chinese export amboyna and ebony campaign kneehole desk retaining the original patina with wonderful colour. China circa 1830 One of the finest examples you will see, constructed using thick hand sawn cuts of amboyna and solid ebony with ivory stringing and countersunk brass pulls to the camphor wood lined drawers, having brass drop carrying handles to each side. The rectangular top with book matched amboyna veneers enclosed by a solid ebony boarder above a frieze drawer fitted with an adjustable inset velvet lined writing slope flanked by multiple sliding lidded compartments and pen rests. Below is an arrangement of nine ivory strung drawers and a kneehole recess with foliate carved and pierced ankle brackets, the whole being raised on eight solid ebony turned feet. This impressive colonial inspired desk is Chinese and would have been intended for the export market. Some years back this desk was often mistaken to have been Anglo-Indian due to the fact it shares many characteristics of Indian furniture...

A rare early 18th century Louis XV provincial burr elm shaped front mazarin commode of excellent colour and proportions. French Circa 1710. Constructed with thick cuts of tight burr elm dowelled to the carcass, the rectangular burr elm panelled top with a fruitwood banding, over three inverted breakfront drawers...

An imposing 17th century mahogany Portuguese colonial trunk / chest, of grand proportions, decorated with pierced brass panels. Probably Brazil, circa 1670. This rare chest...

An Outstanding George IV Period Wine Cooler or Cellarette in Pollard Oak of Exceptional Colour and Patina English - George IV, circa 1825. This fine piece is of late regency/George...

An extremely fine and unusual French Amboyan and gilt bronze bureau plat - writing table inspired by the Neoclassical designs. French circa 1880-1900. A superb amboyna writing ...

An exceptional marquetry and ormolu centre table of exhibition quality attributed to Edward Holmes Baldock. English, circa 1840. Finely co...

A rare 18th century Louis XV period bombe shaped chestnut provincial commode. French circa 1750 Of an unusual curvaceous waisted form having a shaped front (often referred to a...

An outstanding gilt bronze-mounted tulipwood, kingwood and sycamore parquetry breakfronted breche violet marble topped commode, in French Transitional style dating to the late 19th-e...

A very decorative and impressive pair of Italian Venetian giltwood wall sconces late 18th Century. Italian circa 1780. The two leaf carved up-scrolled candlebranches issuing fr...

A fine quality pair of cast iron polished Victorian urns. This pair of Victorian cast iron urns in my eyes are cracking models with egg and dart moulded ...

An exceptional quality and rare pollard oak 19th century architectural twin pedestal inverted breakfront sideboard. English, circa 1850. The quarter cut inverted breakfront top...

Wonderful pair of 19th Century Roman Emperor Portrait Busts Representing Marcus Aurelius and Caracalla in Terracotta with Bronze Heads. Italy Naples late 19th / early 20th Century. Life-size busts, the heads cast in bronze with the body of terracotta, modelled with vest without sleeves and toga thrown over one shoulder. Wonderful verdigris patination to the bronze and weathered to the terracotta. Very unusual to have a bronze head coupled with a terracotta body these highly imposing decorative busts are of excellent quality. Depicting the Roman Caesars...

This attractive mahogany Edwardian Davenport / writing desk, circa 1900s has been constructed from quality solid mahogany having a raised back above a fall front moulded edge writing slope with a raised and fielded panelled cupboard door standing on bracket feet. The Davenport's top section has a brass hinged mahogany lift up lid to reveal an original lead lined storage...

A good quality Victorian bleached oak dresser standing on carved cabriole legs. This well proportioned dresser having a moulded cornice over a shelved upper section with grooved plate troughs and two lockable cupboard doors with brass escutcheon plate drop handles. The upper section sitting over a deeper base with two moulded oak lined drawers with hand-cut dovetails to the right-hand side and with the left-hand having a fielded and paneled door. The whole being raised on carved cabriole legs with acanthus leaf to the knee terminating on ball and claw feet. In excellent condition with no loose joints this Victorian oak dresser...

An imposing and fine quality pair of early 19th century French Tole Peinte and parcel gilt wall lanterns with outstanding original finish. French early 19th century - circa 1820. These extremely impressive unique wall lanterns of imposing scale have a wonderful original finish. Of frosted glass vase shaped form, the imbricated “fish scale” domes...

A rare Victorian leather upholstered mahogany child’s chair. English Circa 1880. This rare child’s chair has a shaped pierced carved back with ...

A fine quality William IV flame mahogany inverted breakfront sideboard of good color. English, circa 1835 The raised carved back having a central anthemion cartouche, ...