1. An enamelled vesta case
This Victorian enamelled vesta case showing Fanny Legrand, the lead character in Clyde Fitch’s American play Sapho which he based on the novel of the same name by Alphonse Daudet, is estimated at £400-500 at Lawrences of Crewkerne on July 2.
This Victorian enamelled vesta case shows Fanny Legrand, the lead character in Clyde Fitch’s American play Sapho which he based on the novel of the same name by Alphonse Daudet.
This particular depiction of the character in a black dress on a flight of stone steps is taken from the theatre programme for Olga Nethersole’s (1867-1951) infamous version, which became the centre of her New York City trial for ‘violating public decency’.
She was later acquitted. The incident is considered a notable step in the transformation of American society’s attitudes regarding gender roles and public depictions of sex in the 20th century.
The case is by Horton & Allday, Birmingham, 1887, and is estimated at £400-500 in a sale of silver and vertu at Lawrences of Crewkerne in Somerset on July 2.
It can be viewed via thesaleroom.com.
2. A Middle English manuscript
What is believed to be the only complete copy of The Mirror of Recluses, a 15th century Middle English translation of the Latin rule for recluses, Speculum Inclusorum, will be offered for sale at Bloomsbury Auctions on July 2 estimated at £70,000-90,000.
Believed to be the only complete copy of The Mirror of Recluses, a 15th century Middle English translation of the Latin rule for recluses, Speculum Inclusorum.
The manuscript became known to scholars in 2014 and includes substantial amounts of text that are missing from the only other extant copy (now in the British Library) and begins with a previously unknown translator’s prologue.
It has been suggested that the copy was produced in Barking Abbey as part of the female education campaign of Abbess Sybil de Felton in the first half of the 15th century.
Formerly in the collection of the Liberal British politician Allan Heywood Bright (1862-1941), it will be offered for sale at Bloomsbury Auctions in central London on July 2. It is estimated at £70,000-90,000 and can be be viewed via thesaleroom.com.
3. An George III tea caddy
Decorated with oval panels of various woods, this George III harewood octagonal tea caddy is estimated at £300-500 at Woolley & Wallis on July 3.
Decorated with oval panels of various woods, this George III harewood octagonal tea caddy is one of more than 130 lots of furniture, treen and works of art from the collection of the late dealer, John Frederick Braund.
A specialist in 18th-century English furniture and works of art, Braund ran Turpin’s Antiques in Wiltshire with his partner Jane Sumner. Woolley & Wallis of Salisbury, also in Wiltshire, will sell the collection in a Furniture, Works of Art and Clocks sale on July 3.
This George III harewood octagonal tea caddy from the collection is estimated at £300-500. It can be viewed on thesaleroom.com.
4. Early British coins
Included in the 526-lot sale at Dix Noonan Webb on July 3 is this penny dating from the reign of Edward the Martyr (975-978) estimated at £4000-5000.
On July 3, London saleroom Dix Noonan Webb will offer the second part of The North Yorkshire Moors collection – a group of British coins formed by the American collector Marvin Lessen. The first sale made more than £300,000 in April 2018.
The second tranche spans the half-millennium between Eadgar’s coinage reform in 972/3 – when mint names started to accompany those of moneyers on coins – and the death of Richard III at the Battle of Bosworth in 1485. Coins from over 50 different mint-towns from the period are represented in the catalogue.
Included in the 526-lot sale is a penny dating from the reign of Edward the Martyr (975-978) estimated at £4000-5000.
5. Novelty Victorian silver sugar tongs
A pair of Victorian novelty harlequin monkey sugar tongs, with marks for John Figg, London 1872, is estimated at £50-80 at the Peter Wilson auction on July 3-4.
Three pieces of Victorian silver by London maker John Figg are up for sale at Peter Wilson of Nantwich in Cheshire on July 3-4.
A pair of Victorian novelty harlequin monkey sugar tongs, with marks for Figg, London 1872, is estimated at £50-80, while two silver and glass claret jugs engraved with floral and fruit decoration carry hopes of £250-400 and £300-500 each.
It can be viewed on thesaleroom.com.
