Three large cased dioramas of exotic African birds, prepared by Ashmead & Co of London and destined for the British Raj, will go under the hammer in a natural history and taxidermy sale at Tennants of Leyburn on July 6.
Thought to date to c.1865-80, the cases were reputedly commissioned by a wealthy British family who lived in Mysore, southern India. They were brought back to the UK in 1947, the year India gained independence, and were housed in Norfolk until 15 years ago when they were moved into storage and sold to the vendor.
This example above, comprising a pair of secretarybirds, a Northern Black Korhaan and a Cape Crow, is estimated at £3000-5000.
tennants.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
Two original ink watercolours by the Georgian caricaturist Thomas Rowlandson (1756-1827) will be offered at Warrington Auctions in Westbrook on July 18.
Estimated together at £2000-4000, The Graceless Apprentice and The Discovery (pictured) are signed and measure 10 x 8in (25 x 20cm).
Among the Welsh pottery going under the hammer at Rogers Jones & Co on July 7 in Cardiff is a large and unrecorded Nantgarw saucer dish decorated by the noted enameller Thomas Pardoe (1770-1823).
The 7in (17cm) wide porcelain piece, moulded and decorated with a pink rose and other flowers, is possibly unique and may have been an experimental saucer. The auction house notes that its large size indicates the saucer was probably intended to be used with an oversized breakfast cup.
Estimate £2500-3500.
rogersjones.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
Welsh saleroom Peter Francis of Carmarthen will offer three classic motorcycles consigned from a single source in its sale on July 11.
The rarest, pictured above, is a 1971 Bultaco Sherpa 244ccs trials bike with a bespoke frame, guided at £2000-3000.
It was first registered to Sammy Miller, a championship-winning motorcycle racer of the 1960s and ‘70s.
A small 1978 Honda 125ccs TL125, lightly modified, is estimated at £800-1200, while the biggest and oldest consigned is a 1954 BSA Golden Flash 650ccs twin with Watsonian sidecar, guided at £3000-5000.
