The sale of Clarice Cliff, Art Deco & Design at Woolley & Wallis in Salisbury on March 18 includes some statement works by the studio potter William Staite Murray (1881-1962).
Few pieces will make a greater statement than Persian Bird, a monumental stoneware vase standing 2ft 1in (63cm) high.
Thrown in two sections, the body incised and painted with two large peacocks, it was probably one of two huge vases exhibited at the Lefevre Galleries in 1931 and returned there for the Staite Murray retrospective in 1958.
The estimate is £1500-2000.
woolleyandwallis.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
The late Reuben Reubens (Obituary, ATG No 2429) was a client of Gardiner Houlgate in Corsham, near Bath, for over 20 years. His historic keyboard collection will be offered for sale there as part of a specialist auction of Musical Instruments on March 13.
Ten lots include a square piano with a fascia board inscribed Jacobus Ball fecit 1792 Patent, Duke Street, Grosvenor Square. The case is of mahogany with holly and stained fruitwood stringing and the keys of ivory and ebony.
Estimate £1500-2000.
gardinerhoulgate.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
This rare ‘bronzed’ Coadestone bust c.1793, above, depicts the British merchant of Huguenot descent Gerard de Visme (1726-97).
He made his fortune in Portugal before returning to London, where he was partner in a banking firm. His home, Wimbledon Lodge, was lavishly decorated with the products of Mrs Coade’s Lambeth Manufactory.
This 11½in (29cm) high bust of a favoured patron is estimated at £1000-2000 at Summers Place Auctions in Sussex on March 24-25.
summersplaceauctions.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
