Watercolours

Tory politician acquired the artist’s watercolours before London dealer raised the profile

A round up of portrait miniatures appearing at auction and offered by dealers.

Despite being buffeted by the vagaries of fashion and now the modern crusade against antique ivory, portrait miniatures have managed to keep a keen collecting base.

How can an enthusiast create a museum-quality collection without vast sums of money?

“I couldn’t have started collecting without the help and guidance of Robert Bayne-Powell (1910-94).

When collecting portrait miniatures it is important to know what materials have been used.

The market presence of Sarah Biffin (1784-1850), a portrait miniaturist born without hands, arms and legs, has been rising over the past few years.

As well as working in marketing for various major fairs and dealers, Duncan Phillips of Somerset deals in his own right, specialising in 19th and 20th century watercolours and studio ceramics

Studio potter Waistel Cooper (1921-2003) is back in the spotlight at The Fine Art Society and leads a busy autumn programme at the gallery.

A couple of ballet-related lots danced away for high prices over the summer.

A leading member of the Birmingham Group and closely associated with the Arts & Crafts movement, Joseph Southall (1861-1944) is probably best known for tempera painting – the painstaking medieval technique he helped revive.

Karen Taylor stages Pomegranates and papaya: 19 watercolours of fruit and vegetables online.

Prints and drawings by the English artist and caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) from an American collector are being sold on iGavel auctions in an online sale presented by Lark Mason Associates that runs until September 28.

Watercolour of Oxford by the Victorian arbiter of taste benefits from attractive estimate.

Most watercolours by Violet Esther Drury Clutterbuck (1869-1960) tend to fetch a few hundred pounds or less at auction.

Artist’s huge and intrictately detailed watercolours depict famous capital landmarks

A previously unknown sketchbook of watercolours and drawings relating to the California Gold Rush took £16,000 (plus 25% buyer’s premium) at Chiswick Auctions.

Between reserving various pieces to museums, Guy Peppiatt was pleased to sell a large watercolour of Yorkshire by Peter de Wint (1748- 1849) during the latest London Art Week (LAW).

Ben Rogers Jones was a happy man after the latest Welsh Sale at Rogers Jones (24/15% buyer’s premium) in Cardiff.