1. A mid-19th century alabaster sculpture
A mid-19th century carved alabaster marble figure of a kneeling girl attributed to the neoclassical Italian sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini is estimated at £800-1200 at Hannams’ auction on June 3-5.
This mid-19th century carved alabaster marble figure of a kneeling girl has been attributed to the neoclassical Italian sculptor Lorenzo Bartolini (1775-1850).
The 2ft x 18in (60 x 46cm) figure is estimated at £800-1200 in a three-day sale at Hannams in Selborne, Hampshire, on June 3-5.
La Fiducia In Dio – a near-identical nude in the same pose – was conceived by Bartolini in 1835 and resides in the collections at the Poldi Pezzoli Museum in Milan.
2. A copy of ‘the world’s smallest dictionary’
A copy of ‘the world’s smallest dictionary’ will be offered for sale on June 4 at Cheltenham saleroom Cotswold Auction Company estimated at £50-80.
A copy of ‘the world’s smallest dictionary’ will be offered for sale on June 4 at Cheltenham saleroom Cotswold Auction Company.
Bryce’s English Dictionary, published in c.1890, has a reported 13,000 definitions and comes in a purpose-built locket fitted with a magnifying glass. The book is about 3cm high and is estimated at £50-80.
3. A maquette of Mahatma Gandhi statue
A maquette for the famous statue of Mahatma Gandhi in London’s Tavistock Square will be offered at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis on June 5 estimated at £800-1200.
During the 150th anniversary year of Mahatma Gandhi’s birth, a 3ft 1in (94.5cm) high maquette for the famous statue of him in London’s Tavistock Square will be offered at Salisbury saleroom Woolley & Wallis on June 5.
The sculptor was Polish-born Fredda Brilliant (1903-99), who depicted a number of people involved in India’s move from colonial rule to independence. She lived in India with her husband, the writer Herbert Marshall, throughout the 1950s and early 60s.
The maquette is estimated at £800-1200 and forms part of Brilliant’s studio dispersal, which has been consigned by her niece and includes portraits of Pandit Nehru, Vallabhbhai Patel and Indira Gandhi.
4. Dessert plates from the dowry service of the daughter of Tsar Nicholas I
On June 5, MacDougall’s will auction a collection of more than 60 dessert plates from the dowry service of the daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna for her wedding in 1844. This plate pictured is estimated at £10,000-15,000.
On June 5, as part of the Important Russian Art sale in London, MacDougall’s will be offering a collection of more than 60 dessert plates from the dowry service of the daughter of Tsar Nicholas I, Grand Duchess Alexandra Nikolaevna (1825-44) for her wedding in 1844 to Prince Frederick William of Hesse Kassel (1820-84).
The group produced by Russia’s Imperial Porcelain Factory remained in the collection of the Landgrave of Hesse-Kassel after Alexandra’s death and has come to auction from ‘an important private collection, Europe’ according to the catalogue.
Offered as 62 individual lots, estimates start from £2000-3000. Among a number of plates pitched at £10,000-15,000 is this example above from c.1844 painted with a view of the Red Square, Moscow.
5. William De Morgan tiles
An unusually large set of 15 William De Morgan tiles will be offered for sale at Wolverhampton saleroom Cuttlestones on June 5 estimated at £800-1200.
An unusually large set of 15 William De Morgan (1839-1917) tiles will be offered for sale at Wolverhampton saleroom Cuttlestones on June 5.
The tiles are in the ‘BBB’ pattern – one of De Morgan’s most popular designs made for the fireplace manufacturer Barnard Bishop and Barnards of Norwich – and have an impress mark for the Merton Abbey Works near Wimbledon in south-west London.
Estimate £800-1200.
