Roseberys

A collection of works from the descendants of the family that ran the eminent gallery Arthur Tooth & Sons will be offered at south London saleroom Roseberys this month.

Perhaps the most identifiable production of the Daoguang period (1820-50) of the Qing empire is the medallion bowl.

Bezoars (from the Persian pād-zahr meaning ‘poison antidote’) are the calcified concretion found in the stomachs of some animals. Prized for their supposed medicinal properties, until the Enlightenment science at the beginning of the 18th century they could sell for more than their weight in gold.

Qianlong moon flasks of this type are based on Ming dynasty prototypes that in turn were inspired by early Persian drinking vessels traded along the Silk Road.

It is thought that Giovanni Battista Tiepolo (1696-1770) executed at least a hundred drawings featuring the Punchinelli, the hook-nosed, humpbacked clowns which were central to the commedia dell’arte. Jonathan Franks reports.

While the Tiepolo drawing caused the biggest stir at the Roseberys (25/20/12% buyer’s premium) November 17 sale (see separate story in this edition), there were several other notable results, writes Jonathan Franks.

In 1946 the artist Laura Knight (1877-1970) was commissioned by the War Artists’ Advisory Committee to create a painting of the Nuremberg Trials.

Among a number of Indian miniatures causing a stir at London sales this autumn was a painting of a camel and its rider.

This Katsushika Hokusai woodblock print from the series Hyakunin isshu uba ga enoki (The Hundred Poems as Told by the Nurse) is titled Poem by Fujiwara No Toshiyuki Ason.

The awards shortlist for Asian Art in London’s East Asian art season have been announced.

This pair of yellow-ground famille rose ‘medallion’ bowls from the Daoguang period (1830-50) have marks for Shendetang Zhi (Hall of Prudent Virtue).

Roseberys’ sale of Islamic, Indian Art & Antiquities on October 26 includes this large Seljuq bronze incense burner modelled in the form of a bird.

Prices for good-quality writing desks continue to recover – as was evident when a George II example more than tripled top hopes.

Based on Warring States (475-225BC) archetypes, archaistic bronze ritual wine vessels, zun, formed as tapirs became popular during the Northern Song period, remained so through to the Qing dynasty, and are major draws in Western salerooms today.

Among a number of historic portraits at West Norwood saleroom Roseberys in the auction of Old Master & 19th Century Pictures on July 20 is this painting of a man wearing a fur collar, white lace ruff and a skull cap, below.

Roseberys’ Fine & Decorative auction in south London on July 21 includes, estimated at £500-1000, this large mid 19th century electroplated flagon by Elkington & Co.

Shown here are two highlights from sales of Islamic & Indian art held by London salerooms recently.

Good art at a great price in regional sales.