From a Behn bronze panther to Cocteau plates - five to buy at south London Design sale
13 February 2024 Roseberys’ Design sale in south London on February 20 sale will feature an expansive range of rare and important works from 1860 to the present day.
Estimated at £10,000-15,000 is this a large bronze by German sculptor Fritz Behn, dating from the first half of the 20th century. This imposing Jugendstil sculpture, modelled as a panther attacking a woman, comes with interesting provenance, having once belonged to George Paveliev Gibbes, adopted son of Charles Sydney Gibbes, tutor to the children of Emperor Nicholas II of Russia. Check thesaleroom.com to view this bronze by German sculptor Fritz Behn.
Highlights include two striking and rare plates designed by Jean Cocteau, a scarce ‘Cylene’ vase by Emile Galle as well as a strong private collection of Art Nouveau cameo glass. Other notable lots include a large and impressive bronze by Fritz Behn, studio pottery by John Maltby, and Mid-century furniture by Charles and Ray Eames and Adrian Pearsall.
Shown here are five suggestions on what to buy (including photo top) in the Design sale at Roseberys.
Fresh to market Cocteau
Roseberys offers two stunning earthenware and enamel decorated plates by renowned artist Jean Cocteau. Dating from the 1950s and 60s, they were produced in collaboration with Marie Madeline Jolly and Philippe Madeline at their studio in Villefranche-sur-Mer. Fresh to the market from a private collection the incredibly rare ‘Jeunesse Franco-Allemande’, no. 5 from an edition of 5 (pictured here) and Vertumnus (Dieu des jardins)’ no.11 from an edition of 40, will be offered with respective estimates of £7000-9000 and £2000-3000. Bid for the Cocteau Jeunesse Franco-Allemande via thesaleroom.com
Italian style in the US
Carlo de Carli for M Singer & Sons, two model '114' lounge chairs and two model '143' ottomans (one set slightly larger), c.1950, estimated together at £1000-1500. They were designed for US furniture company M Singer and Sons. These items rarely come up for auction this side of the Atlantic. You can see the Carlo de Carli for M Singer & Sons furniture on thesaleroom.com.
Mini Maltbys
Two figures and sculptural head, late 20th century, by the British studio potter John Maltby, estimate £600-1000. In the late 90s Maltby had a major heart operation which left him unable to knead heavy lumps of clay. He instead turned his hand to making small sculptures such as the present lot, created in a distinctive modern style based on a range of influences, including Primitivism, Picasso, and Klee. Bid for the John Maltby sculptures using thesaleroom.com.
Venini mirror
This is a grand and impressive illuminated wall mirror produced in the 1960s by renowned Murano glass maker Venini. This statement piece measures 1.63 x 1.28m and comprises a border of moulded and textured glass sections which can be lit from behind to dramatic effect. Estimate £6000-7000. Visit thesaleroom.com to bid for the Venini mirror.
