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Lot 360

DIAMOND DRESS RING, set with round brilliant and tapered baguette cut diamonds totalling approximately 1.12 carats, in eighteen carat white gold, size O, 4.4g

Lot 136

Jenny Watson Red Haired Girl with Buttoned Dress, 2020 Rowney Watercolour on Paper Signed verso 15 x 10cm (5¾ x 3¾ in.) Jenny Watson is a post-conceptual painter represented by Vigo Gallery in London. She draws aspects of daily life into her art practice. Here the self, a bird, a cat and a horse are assembled as a set of key images urgently rendered in watercolour. She often uses the device of self-portrait as alter ego. Disjunctive combinations of image, text, haberdashery and objects alongside traditional painterly formats are often presented in an interrogation of painting itself. Jenny Watson was born in 1951 in Melbourne, Australia. She completed her Diploma of Painting, National Gallery of Victoria Art School, Melbourne, Australia (1972) and Diploma of Education, State College of Victoria, Melbourne, Australia (1973). From 1978-1984 she was a Partner in Art Projects, Melbourne, (Artist run space). Since 2002 Jenny has been an Adjunct Professor, Queensland College of the Arts, Griffith University, Australia.  

Lot 1196

BLAAS, EUGEN VON BLAAS, EUGEN VON 1843 Albano Laziale - 1931 Venedig Titel: Junge Venezianierin mit violettem Kopftuch. Technik: Öl auf Holz. Maße: 32,5 x 24,5cm. Bezeichnung: Signiert oben rechts: Eug.v. Blaas. Rahmen/Sockel: Rahmen. Provenienz: Privatsammlung, Europa. Neben den meist großformatigen Genredarstellungen Eugen von Blaas' waren seine kleineren Brustbilder weiblicher Modelle bei einem internationalen Publikum sehr gefragt. Es handelt sich hierbei nicht um Portraits im eigentlichen Sinn, sondern um die Wiedergabe eines aparten italienischen Frauentypes in unterschiedlicher Charakterisierung. Diese Spezialität de Blaas' brachte ihm den Beinamen "Maler der Venezianischen Schönheiten" ein. In die Reihe dieser Werke gehört das hier angebotene Werk "Mädchen mit Kopftuch". Eugen de Blaas zeigt hier eine ganz andere Seite seines malerischen Könnens. Die Konzentration richtet sich ganz auf die charaktervolle Mimik der jungen Frau, Kopftuch und Haar sind flüchtig, fast impressionistisch gemalt, der Pinselstrich darf bei dieser leichten Technik gezeigt werden, die Spitze des Kleides ist pastos tupfend gebaut. Die Lichtführung in diesem kleinen Bild ist besonders raffiniert: Das starke, von oben einfallende Licht liegt gleißend auf dem Kopftuch, der weißen Spitze der Bluse und dem Dekolletee. Vor dem tief dunklen Hintergrund entsteht ein starker Kontrast in dem das, durch die krausen roten Haare leicht verschattete Gesicht den ausgleichenden Mittelpunkt bildet. Der Blick aus den mandelförmigen Augen, das leicht Lächeln und der schräg gelegte, von dem hellblauen Kopftuch ganz umspielte Kopf vermitteln einen herausfordernden Eindruck, dem sich der Betrachter kaum entziehen kann. Anders als bei dem Bild "Zwei Venezianerinnen", bei dem die Blicke der beiden Schönen auf die neue Preziose konzentriert sind und der Betrachter außenstehender Beobachter der Szene bleibt, ist der Blickkontakt zwischen dem rothaarigen Mädchen mit dem Kopftuch und ihrem Gegenüber gleichsam das Thema des Bildes selbst. Erläuterungen zum Katalog Eugen von Blaas Deutschland Romantik 19.Jh. Gemälde Porträt Malerei Venedig BLAAS, EUGEN VON BLAAS, EUGEN VON 1843 Albano Laziale - 1931 Venice Title: Young Venetian with Purple Headscarf. Technique: Oil on wood. Measurement: 32,5 x 24,5cm. Notation: Signed upper right: Eug.v. Blaas. Frame/Pedestal: Framed. Provenance: Private collection, Europe. Besides the mostly large-format genre depictions of Eugen von Blaas, his smaller bust images of female models were in great demand by an international audience. These are not portraits in the true sense of the word, but rather the reproduction of a distinctive Italian type of woman in different characterizations. This speciality of de Blaas' earned him the nickname "painter of the Venetian beauties". In the series of these works belongs the here offered work "Girl with Headscarf". Eugen de Blaas shows here a completely different side of his painting skills. The concentration is entirely directed towards the young woman's facial expressions, full of character; headscarf and hair are fleeting, almost impressionistically painted, the brushstroke may be shown in this light technique, the tip of the dress is built pastos dotted. The lighting in this small image is particularly refined: The strong light coming from above lies glistening on the headscarf, the white lace of the blouse and the décolleté. Against the deep dark background, a strong contrast is created in which the face, slightly shaded by the curly red hair, forms the balancing centre. The view from the almond-shaped eyes, the slightly smiling face and the slanting head, completely surrounded by the light blue headscarf, create a challenging impression that the viewer can hardly escape. In contrast to the image "Two Venetian Women", in which the glances of the two beauties are concentrated on the new preciousness and the viewer remains an outside observer of the scene, the eye contact between the red-haired girl with the headscarf and her counterpart is, as it were, the subject of the image itself. Explanations to the Catalogue Eugen von Blaas Germany Romanticism 19th C. Paintings Portrait Painting Venice

Lot 1013

STOSS, VEIT STOSS, VEIT um 1447 Horb - 1533 Nürnberg Umkreis Titel: Mondsichelmadonna. Datierung: Um. 1500. Technik: Lindenholz. Fassung entfernt. Maße: 126cm.  Provenienz: Privatbesitz, Deutschland. Die sehr gut erhaltene Figur zeigt die Muttergottes stehend auf der Mondsichel, ein Hinweis auf die Offenbarung des Evangelisten Johannes, das Jesuskind auf ihrer linken Hand vor ihrer Brust haltend und mit der rechten Hand stützend. Das nackte Jesuskind wendet sich dem Betrachter zu. Es hält in der rechten Hand einen Apfel, Symbol des Sündenfalls als Hinweis auf die Erlösung der Menschheit durch seinen späteren Kreuzestod. Maria trägt über einem engen Kleid einen über ihre Schulter drapierten Mantel, den sie unter dem rechten Arm aufnimmt, wodurch dieser in langgezogenen Falten vor ihrem Körper fällt. Der Faltenwurf wird belebt durch knittrig aufwirbelnde, virtuos geschnitzte Partien. Marias Gesicht mit der hohen Stirn wird umrahmt von den breit ausfächernden Haaren, die in Strähnen vor dem Körper und in Wellen auf ihren Rücken herunterfallen. Ursprünglich wird die Figur die Mitte eines Altarschreines gebildet oder als Teil eines Marienleuchters im Kirchenraum gehangen haben. Die virtuos geschnitzte Plastik dürfte im Umfeld des großen Bildhauers Veit Stoß (1447-1533) in Nürnberg entstanden sein. Vor allem die Auflösung der Falten erinnert an den von Veit Stoss geprägten Stil der Nürnberger Plastik um 1500. Auf dessen Umfeld verweist auch das zarte Gesicht der Maria. Wir danken Guido de Werd, Köln, für seine freundliche Unterstützung bei der Katalogisierung der vorliegenden Arbeit. Erläuterungen zum Katalog Veit Stoss Deutschland 15./16. Jh. Skulpturen Religiöse Darstellung Skulptur Madonna mit Kind STOSS, VEIT STOSS, VEIT ca. 1447 Horb - 1533 Nuremberg Circle Title: Woman of the Apocalypse. Date: ca. 1500. Technique: Lime wood, frame removed. Measurement: 126cm.Provenance: Private ownership, Germany. The very well preserved figure shows Our Lady standing on the crescent moon, a reference to the Revelation of the Evangelist John, holding the Child Jesus on her left hand in front of her breast and supporting her with her right hand. The naked baby Jesus turns to the viewer. She holds an apple in her right hand, a symbol of the Fall of Man as a reference to the redemption of mankind through his later death on the cross. Mary wears a cloak draped over her shoulder over a tight dress, which she takes up under her right arm, causing it to fall in elongated folds before her body. The drapery is enlivened by crumpled, virtuously carved parts. Maria's face with the high forehead is framed by the broadly spreading hair, which falls in strands in front of the body and in waves onto her back. Originally the figure will have been the centre of an altar shrine or hung as part of a Marian chandelier in a church. The virtuosic carving is thought to have been created in the surroundings of the great sculptor Veit Stoß (1447-1533) in Nuremberg. The dissolution of the folds in particular is reminiscent of the style of Nuremberg sculpture around 1500, which was influenced by Veit Stoss, and to whose surroundings the delicate face of the Virgin Mary also refers. We are grateful to Guido de Werd, Cologne, for his kind support in cataloguing the present work. Explanations to the Catalogue Veit Stoss Germany 15th/16th C. Sculptures Religious Art Sculpture Madonna with child

Lot 355

Milne (A. A.) When We Were Very Young, presentation copy signed by the author and Christopher Robin as 'Billy Moon', fifth edition, illustrations by Ernest Shepard, original blue pictorial cloth, gilt, dust-jacket, most of spine missing, 8vo, 1924.⁂ An exceptional association and presentation copy. The inscription on the half-title in the author's hand (apart from the words 'Billy Moon') reads: "For Soldier (this book about Himself) with love from his friend Billy Moon Written by himself in the presence of A.A. Milne". Christopher Robin's childhood nickname was Billy Moon. This copy was signed by him aged 5 and was given to Louis Goodrich, whose signature is above the inscription on the half-title. "Alan clearly tried his best to create a happy childhood for his son, and once even arranged for an actor called Louis Goodrich, who he had met at the Garrick Club, to dress up in full military uniform to surprise Christopher. At the time Christopher was fascinated by soldiers, but later suggested that Alan may have regretted introducing him to Louis as they struck up an unlikely friendship: It was difficult for him, of course, Christopher said. For there was Nanny always in the way. Nanny who claimed so much of my affection. And on the rare occasions when Nanny was out of the room, there was my mother in her place. Where did he fit in? Nowhere special. And now here was Soldier. You could see how my eyes lit up at the very thought of Soldier, at the mere mention of his name. You could see (or you could be told) how he made me laugh, how I adored him. No, my father couldn't compete." (The Extraordinary Life of A.A. Milne, by Nadia Cohen).

Lot 11

An early 20th century Naval officers dress sword, by Friedeberg & Co Naval Outfitters, Portsmouth, length of blade 79cm, etched with a crowned fouled anchor to one side and a Royal coat of Arms, with gilt lions head pommel and backstrap and wire bound shark skin grip in a brass mounted scabbard, overall length 94cm.

Lot 114

A German Nazi Luftwaffe dress dagger, with wire bound orange celluloid grip, swastika pommel, in a steel sheath with oak leaf decoration, overall length 42.5cm.

Lot 2861

An elegant, bias cut long sleeveless dress in champagne silver viscose by Autograph, size 10, together with a black velvet fur trimmed cocktail dress by Georges Rech size 36.

Lot 367

A pair of Cornish serpentine wall brackets by Stevens of Wherrytown, Penzance. Height 14cm.'THE STEVENS FAMILY OF WHERRYTOWN, PENZANCE IN THE 19TH & 20TH CENTURIES''My maternal grand-mother, Mahala Brown, came down to Penzance with her family from Matlock in Derbyshire, 1850. At that time, the railway ran only as far as Bristol, from there they had to take a ferryboat to Hayle, doubtless an arduous journey which the family never forgot.Mahala's father, Joseph Brown, was a skilled worker in the Blue John stone which was found only in Derbyshire and was highly prized in France where it was called "Bleu Jaune" hence the English name. I believe the Blue John ran out so the family decamped to Cornwall to work with the recently discovered Serpentine at the Lizard. There was a Serpentine Works in Wherrytown which must have offered employment.They young Queen Victoria and Prince Albert visited Mounts Bay in 1846 on the royal yacht. Prince Albert landed in Penzance and was conducted to St. John's Hall where he admired a set of serpentine vases, readily presented to him by the Mayor. Victoria & Albert subsequently ordered a number of items for Osborne House on the Isle of Wight, which immediately popularised the serpentine ware.Mahala Brown later married a former sea-captain, Charles Grenville Stevens in 1869. Legend has it that they walked in bridal dress from Wherrytown to Madron church and back. Charles gave up the sea and was instructed in the art of stone-carving by his father-in-law, Joseph Brown.Extract from The Western Morning News, Dec.17th 1984...." Joseph Brown was a skilled worder of serpentine, but he was eclipsed by his son-in-law Charles Stevens....who, within a few years, had been accepted as the finest carver of serpentine in the country. Charles had an instinctive feel for the stone and carved some magnificent ornaments on of which, a 3' anchor, circled by a dolphin, is to be found at the V & A Museum".Mahala gave birth to 2 sons, Samuel and Joseph who later learnt the skill of carving serpentine from their father and became equally accomplished. They established 2 small shops in Wherrytown where they sold a wide variety of ornaments in serpentine all turned on a treadle lathe in a shed in the back yard.Samuel married Matilda Lawry in 1898 and Matilda bore him 3 daughters. The middle of the 3, Norah Maria, was my mother and she grew up with her sisters in Wherrytown in the early years of the century. The serpentine shops continued to flourish due largely to the increase in tourism. My mother later married John Cyril Mann who became Mayor of Penzance in 1969.I was born in 1934 and as a boy, I well remember visiting the shops and workshop on many occasion marvelling at the vast range of serpentine goods the brothers had produced.Sadly, the shops and most of Wherrytown were destroyed in the disastrous storm of 1962'.David MannOctober 2020

Lot 134

COLLECTION OF VINTAGE DRESS MAKING PATTERNS

Lot 1

Uniforms -  A collection of three replica WWII Second World War German / Nazi / Third Reich military / fancy dress uniforms. Comprising of a full uniform (shirt, tunic and trousers) with other jackets and undershirts present. Each jacket with relevant insignia / patches present. Various sizes. 

Lot 2

Uniform - A Post WWII Second World War British RAF Royal Air Force No.1 Dress O.A. uniform made by Briggs, Jones & Gibson Ltd with British Chivalric Order Of The Garter buttons to front. The uniform includes; tunic, trousers and blue costume shirt. 

Lot 21

Uniforms - A collection of eight WWII Second World War style British Armed Forces RAF costume jackets. Comprised of a khaki shirt having epaulettes and several Chelsea Pensioner mess dress type coats. Various sizes.  

Lot 22

A vintage retro fancy dress costume WWII Second World War style RAF Royal Air Force black shearling aviation flight jacket and flying helmet. Both being made from genuine sheepskin wool and leather. 

Lot 23

Uniforms - A long double breasted black genuine leather fancy dress trench coat of WWII Nazi Germany Third Reich, Allo Allo 'Herr Flick' type fancy dress costume. 

Lot 3

Uniforms - Two British RAF Royal Air Force dress uniforms to include a Pilot Officer and Flying Lieutenant uniform. The items in each uniform include two tunics, two pairs of trousers and two costume shirts. Various sizes.  

Lot 30

Fancy dress - A pair of assorted Sol Frank American USA high school marching band uniforms to include a Fontana band jacket and another bid and tunic. Various sizes. 

Lot 31

Fancy dress - a black Victorian 19th Century style policeman costume cape and cloak, complete with chest clasp and original makers label. 

Lot 32

Fancy dress - A black Victorian 19th Century style clergy cape cloak costume outfit. Complete with collar and chest clasp. Original maker label of A J. Wippel & Co in the interior.

Lot 33

Uniform - A British Army Grenadier guards R&F mess dress costume, comprised of a tunic and a pair of trousers. Complete with regimental buttons, insignia and epaulettes. 

Lot 34

Fancy dress - An assorted collection of retro vintage women's 1960s and 1970s style clothing to include Jean Annel tea dress in blue, a pink cocktail shift dress, retro brown patterned pinafore dress and a suede jacket and shirt. Various sizes.

Lot 35

Fancy dress - A collection of four vintage 1960s style retro fancy dresses to include a blue and white paisley halterneck dress, a long nautical striped dress, an orange dress having french wording and a pink Elka floral dress. Various sizes. 

Lot 37

Fancy dress - A collection of assorted 1960s retro vintage outfit costumes to include a white cocktail shift dress, a pink and grey crochet dress, a 1970s geometric patterned dress and a floral blouse. Various sizes. 

Lot 39

Fancy dress - An assorted collection of three retro vintage ladies 1950s 60s dresses, to include a pink organza batwing dress, a black pinafore shift dress and a white prom wedding dress having embroidered chiffon. Various sizes. 

Lot 4

Uniforms - Two British RAF Royal Air Force military dress uniforms to include a Squadron leader uniform by Burton comprised of a tunic and trousers and Wing Commander uniform by Simpson comprised of a tunic and the associated shirt. Various sizes. 

Lot 40

Fancy dress - A black retro vintage university college graduation costume gown complete with cap and shawl. Made by Birchs and Shepherd and Woodward. 

Lot 41

Fancy dress - A good 20th century pantomime baddie / theatre costume, likely from Aladdin. A very good quality drama outfit. Comprised of a black gown and silver collar and sleeves. 

Lot 42

Fancy dress - A retro theatre two person horse costume for comedy shows. A very good quality pantomime 2-piece, having an opening at the stomach and a paper mache head. 

Lot 44

Fancy dress - A 20th Century two person pantomime cow costume. The costume is comprised of two parts that separates at the stomach. Made from black faux fur fabric and a paper mache head. Suitable for theatre acting and amateur dramatics.

Lot 45

Fancy Dress - A 20th Century pantomime mask in the form of a bulls head. The cows head is comprised of plastic and black faux fur. Suitable for theatre acting and amateur dramatics. 

Lot 46

Fancy Dress - A collection of assorted medieval battle re-enactment items in the form of a knights armour. To include three breastplates and one helmet. Made from fibreglass and metal. Various sizes. 

Lot 47

Fancy dress - A collection of four 20th Century replica knight helmets for medieval crusade and battle re-enactments. Also suitable for theatre, pantomime and amateur dramatics. 

Lot 48

Fancy dress - A collection of 20th Century replica knight helmets and breast plate armour for medieval crusade and battle re-enactments. Also suitable for theatre, pantomime and amateur dramatics. In various styles and sizes.

Lot 5

Uniforms - A collection of three Post WWII Second World War era British RAF Royal Air Force mess dress uniforms to include; two Squadron Leader tunics, one Sergeant tunic, two waistbands, three officers peaked caps and one pair of trousers. Various sizes.

Lot 50

Fancy dress - A pair of 20th Century fibreglass medieval knights helmets for battle re-enactments. Also suitable for theatre, pantomime and amateur dramatics. Variable sizes. 

Lot 51

Fancy dress - A collection of vintage traditional Turkish taqiyah fez caps. The hats have embroidery and beading. Also suitable for theatres and pantomimes such as Aladdin. Variable sizes. 

Lot 52

Fancy dress - A pair of metal soldier / corporal helmets. The helmets are American and post WWII, the second helmet having star emblems to the front and a number 3 to the back. 

Lot 57

Fancy dress - A group of three vintage black leather fancy dress belts with brass buckles having an embossed eagle emblem. Good military / army standard. Various sizes. 

Lot 59

Fancy dress - A collection of various original WWII and 20th Century replica leather combat military items to include belts, a holster and pouches. Various sizes. 

Lot 6

Uniforms - A Post WWII Second World War British RAF Royal Air Force No.1 Dress O.A. sergeant uniform made by J. Compton Sons & Webb with British bandsman buttons to the pockets. The uniform includes a tunic, a pair of trousers and blue costume shirt. Original medal buttons are present above the breast pocket. 

Lot 60

Uniform and fancy dress - A large collection of 20th Century good quality military combat standard belts, to include Art et Marte, Wynnster. The belts are striped and camouflage. Made from canvas and leather. 

Lot 61

Fancy dress - A group of vintage retro Gogo costume 1960s boots. The boots are knee high, have black leather and have platform heels. One pair has a stitched cross over design. Various sizes. 

Lot 62

Fancy dress - A group of three Victorian style and early 20th century hats to include two top hats and one bowler hat in original box. Suitable for pantomime and theatre. The makers being Dunn&co and Macqueen's. Various sizes.

Lot 63

Fancy dress  - A group of three genuine British navy sailor and captain nautical peaked caps having gloss peaks, gold embroidery and relevant insignia. Produced by Cutlass. 

Lot 64

Fancy dress - A group of four fancy dress costume marine sailor berets. Each hat has a blue ribbon around the rim and the name of a vessel, eg. H.M Submarines, H.M.S Sultan and R.M.S Titanic. 

Lot 65

Fancy dress - A collection of eight 20th post WWII genuine military and air force hats and berets, having relevant badges and insignias. The collection is both British and German and includes makers such as Laurence Corner, Wynnster and Bamberger. 

Lot 67

Fancy dress - A collection of assorted military wool berets in various colours such as green, black and red. To include Kangol, Mutzenfabrik and Fefrito. 

Lot 68

Fancy dress- A collection of assorted Chinese coolie rice hats, likely suitable for Aladdin the pantomime. Various colours and decoration, all being handmade in straw. 

Lot 69

Fancy dress - An original pair of WWII Second World War period British Army hobnail boots. Leather construction with steel reinforcements to the underside and hobnails. 

Lot 7

Uniforms - A Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers / REME, lance corporal No 2. dress uniform being complete with the jacket, trousers, belt, beret, costume shirt and tie. Various sizes. 

Lot 70

Fancy dress - A pair of retro vintage white leather patent 1960s Gogo knee high boots having black circular detail and platform heels. 

Lot 73

Fancy dress- A collection of mid 20th Edwardian style straw boater hats, each having blue or black ribbons and being of straw construction. Various sizes.

Lot 74

Fancy dress - A replica Imperial German Army helmet of metal construction, having an eagle finial to top, in the style of a pickelhaube. 

Lot 9

Uniforms - An officers RAF, Royal Air Force No 1. dress uniform having regimental chivalric order buttons. The uniforms are comprised of two jackets and two pairs of trousers. Various sizes. 

Lot 17

Helen Bradley (British, 1900-1979)Lady in Yellow Dress signed 'HELEN BRADLEY' and with fly insignia (lower right)oil on canvas laid on board27 x 18 cm. (10 5/8 x 7 1/8 in.)Footnotes:ProvenanceThe Artist, thence by family descentThe Estate of Margaret BradleyThis lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ARAR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 120

* ROBERT SARGENT AUSTIN RA PRWS PRE (BRITISH 1895-1973) THE BALLET DRESS watercolour on paper, signed; titled verso 52.5cm x 59cm Mounted, framed and under glass Note: Robert Austin's watercolours very rarely appear at auction, anywhere. Note 2 : Robert Sargent Austin’s talent was first recognised publicly, as a precocious eight year old, when he successfully submitted work to the Royal Drawing Society in his hometown of Leicester. His friends would later say that art became to him as essential as breathing, and this early success marked the beginning of a daily drive to draw, paint and etch that would mould him into the artistic force that he became. Natural talent led to his enrolment at the Leicester Municipal School of Art in 1909, from where he won a scholarship to the Royal College of Art in 1914. In London, serious, patient, comprehensive study of life drawing was the first discipline taught and can be singled out as the experience that most influenced his uncompromising attitude to learning and practising art. The First World War interrupted his progress; he served as a gunner in the Royal Artillery from 1915-1919, however the delay meant that he became a pupil of the famous etcher, Sir Frank Short, when he resumed his studies. Robert Sargent Austin’s career was notable for the ease with which he perfected different artistic techniques, and his etchings under Sir Frank Short were so proficient that he won a scholarship to the British School in Rome in 1921. In Rome he befriended and worked with Charles Murray (see lot 114). This was an unrivalled opportunity to be immersed in Italian artistic culture and if his methodology was formed at the Royal College of Art, then his style was most influenced by this period of discovery. Through extensive travel around the country and careful study of the landscape and paintings, particularly the prints of the Old Masters, he found a source of influence that perfectly suited his own exacting practice of art. Additionally this also convinced him that line engraving was more suited to his temperament than etching. Mastering this new technique with ease he returned to England in 1926, a married man since 1923, and took up the post of Professor of Engraving at the Royal College of Art. He held this post until 1944 and the teaching of art quickly became as important to him as its practice. Pupils remember him as tough, frightening and often brutally honest, but found him an inspirational, dedicated teacher who would devote himself to students that showed enthusiasm. He was interested only in the execution of art; when he was given his new college name-plate he hung it over his lavatory door at home, highlighting a lifelong disinterest in the aggrandisement of ‘Art’ and its multifarious pretensions. A former pupil remembers him saying “We can talk about Art later, let’s find out how to draw first.’ He was promoted to the role of Head of Graphic Design at the Royal College of Art in 1948, but turned down the position of Principal as he wanted to remain an artist not an administrator. Robert Sargent Austin’s purchase of a studio at Burnham Overy Staithe, Norfolk, in 1935 and the lives of his three children most influenced the content of his output. The Norfolk wildlife fascinated him (he particularly adored birds) and the landscape he found there stirred him to paint; his family remember him rising before dawn most days to capture the summer light at its purest between five and seven. The activities of his growing children, both in Norfolk and London, were his other constant source of artistic subject matter as the selection in this show demonstrates. During the Second World War he was appointed official war artist to the Royal College of Art at Ambleside and his art became temporarily dominated by the Woolwich Arsenal, nurses, fighter pilots and other workers, particularly women, whom he felt were under represented in the War effort. The Imperial War Museum now holds thirty four of these pieces. The 1940s and 50s were dominated by a series of prestigious appointments and commissions in recognition of his prodigious talent. He was elected to the Royal Academy in 1948, made President of the Royal Watercolour Society in 1956 and asked to design the Bank of England’s new bank notes in the same year. In 1962 he was also elected President of the Royal Society of Painter-Etchers. Essentially a humble man, he remained devoted to art for its own sake, uninterested in selling it or even receiving approval from others. Despite this, his pictures are now held in the collections of the Tate Gallery, The Victoria and Albert Museum, The Fitzwilliam Museum, The British Museum and The Ashmolean Museum and a huge retrospective of his work was held at the latter in 1980.

Lot 2

Yiannis Tsarouchis (Greek, 1910-1989)Woman from Salamis/ Koulouriotissa signed in Greek and dated '34' (upper right)oil on canvas laid on panel 46 x 25 cm.Painted in 1934.Footnotes:ProvenancePrivate collection, Athens.ExhibitedAthens, The British Council, Exhibition Yannis Tsarouchis 1932-1952, February 17-29, 1952, no. 13 (possibly).LiteratureE. Florou, Tsarouchis – Painting, doctoral dissertation, Athens 1989, vol. 1, p. 38-39 (discussed), p. 215 (catalogued), vol. 2, fig. 129 (illustrated).E. Florou, Yannis Tsarouchis, his Painting and his Era, Nea Synora - A.A. Livanis editions, Athens 1989, no. 140, p. 18 (mentioned), p. 21 (discussed), p. 19, fig. 16 (illustrated).Yannis Tsarouchis (1910-1989) Painting, Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation, Athens 1990, no. 48 (illustrated).Yannis Tsarouchis Painting, Comments, Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation, Athens 1990, no. 48, p. iv (discussed).A work that marks a turning point in Tsarouchis's career, as noted by the artist himself,1 Woman from Salamis conveys a striking immediacy and resilient allure. Broad planes of earthy colours highlighted by solid outlines and supplemented by highly stylised motifs, such as the clouds and the sun, build up a solid edifice of pure form, stretching beyond the confines of the transient and perfectly matching the young maiden's silent inflexibility and hieratic posture. We are reminded of Byzantine icons, Fayum portraits, Theofilos, and Kontoglou, the leading advocate for the revival of the Byzantine pictorial tradition, under whom Tsarouchis apprenticed for four years.As noted by former Benaki Museum Director M. Hadjidakis, in Tsarouchis's hands, human form takes on a monumental quality. Lightly modelled, his subjects fill the picture and are elevated to a symbolic type full of dignity and grandeur,2 capturing the genuineness of character which is the lifeblood of the Modern Greek spirit.Ever since his early childhood, Tsarouchis was enchanted by traditional local costumes from around Greece. His fascination was further heightened following his acquaintance with Angeliki Hadjimichali, Elli Papadimitriou and Eva Palmer-Sikelianou and was filtered through Kontoglou's passion for Byzantine art. He was not only interested in the art form but also in the techniques involved. He knew how to weave, cut and sew, as well as take patterns from folk clothing. Unfortunately, his entire archive of dress designs and costume details was destroyed during the German Occupation.31 Yannis Tsarouchis Painting, Comments, Yannis Tsarouchis Foundation, Athens 1990, no. 48, p. iv.2 M. Hadjidakis, 'Some Aspects of Modern Greek Art' in Perspective of Greece, an Atlantic Monthly Supplement, Intercultural Publications, New York 1955, p. 33.3 M. Karavia, The Thinker of Marousi, Memories and Conversations with Yannis Tsarouchis [in Greek], Kapon editions Athens 2009, p. 74.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ARAR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 26

Constantinos Parthenis (Greek, 1878-1967)Harmony signed 'C.Parthenis' (lower left)oil on canvas125 x 50 cm.Painted c. 1940-41.Footnotes:The artwork bears the artist's son signature on the reverse and the date 26/7 on the stretcher.ProvenanceN. Parthenis collection, Athens.Private collection, Athens.LiteratureL'Art Contemporain et le Monde Grec, Actes du XVIIIe Congres de l'Association Internationale des Critiques d'Art (AICA), Athens 1984, p. 151 (mentioned).A. Kotidis, On Parthenis, University Studio Press, Thessaloniki 1984, p. 36 (mentioned).A. Kafetsi, Drawings by Constantinos Parthenis in the National Gallery, exhibition catalogue, National Gallery - Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens 1989, p. 58 (mentioned).E. Mathiopoulos, The Life and Work of Costis Parthenis, K. Adam editions, Athens 2008, no. 283, p. 427 (catalogued), p. 343 (illustrated).In 1939, the Minister-Governor of Athens Kostas Kotzias and Mayor Ambrosios Plytas, wishing to complete the City Hall's decoration program, decided to commission the great Parthenis to decorate the spacious southwest room on the first floor. The painter negotiated and agreed to be paid 800,000 drachmas—a huge amount for the time. Following a vote by the city council, the contract was signed on April 18, 1940, providing a period of twenty months for the delivery of twelve independent canvases. While Parthenis kept his end of the agreement, the Municipality of Athens, due to the outbreak of the Greek-Italian war and the German occupation that followed, was unable to honour the contract. After the war, in the early 1950s, the Municipality of Athens, under Mayor Kostas Kotzias, showed a renewed interest in acquiring the canvases at the cost agreed before the war. However, especially after the dramatic devaluation of the drachma on April 9, 1953, the agreed upon amount had lost almost all of its real value. Parthenis saw the proposed deal as a mockery of his work and turned it down without hesitation. As a result, the works remained in his workshop and out of public view until the artist's passing in 1967. 1Translated into evocative symbols, these highly idealised and allegorical works are absorbed in a world purified of any kind of brutality, a world that soars loftily in the heights of ideals, while their sensitive lines, translucent colours and abstractive formal vocabulary endow them with a highly poetic and spiritual content. Through a sophisticated formulation of style, which fully utilised the entire Greek aesthetic tradition while reading elegantly like a piece of undiscovered mythology, Parthenis managed to create a work of visual poetry, a world as much Greek as universal. Harmony2 is personified by a young woman in a knee-length dress and pleated cape standing on a short pedestal like an ancient Greek kore and playing the violin against a starry night sky. Her body posture and overall compositional design echo Maurice Denis's La Damoiselle élue, a 1892 work inspired by the namesake cantata by Claude Debussy and based on a text by Pre-Raphaelite poet and painter Dante Gabriel Rossetti.3 Once in close contact with symbolist circles, Parthenis was thoroughly familiar with the work of Puvis de Chavannes, Gustave Moreau, Odilon Redon and, especially, Maurice Denis, who sought to reinvest art with a deeper, more spiritual meaning. The idealistic atmosphere of the French painter's works, and the highly stylised rendering of the human figure, had a strong impact on Parthenis throughout his career.In this evocative setting, the young violin4 player takes on an allegorical meaning, identified with the idea of music as a symbol of universal order, harmony and peace. As noted by Z. Papantoniou, 'by dematerialising form and giving shape to ideas, Parthenis creates a musical quality; in other words he lifts painting to the realm of music, the most immaterial of all arts.5 Parthenis himself was an ardent lover of classical music and, accompanied by his wife, he often attended Sunday concerts and recitals by great performers at the Municipal Theatre, the Olympia and the Kentrikon music halls.61 See E. Mathiopoulos, The Life and Work of Costis Parthenis [in Greek], K. Adam editions, Athens 2008, pp. 91, 97-98; A. Kotidis, On Parthenis [in Greek], University Studio Press, Thessaloniki 1984, pp. 21-22; A. Kotidis, 'The Dialectic of Power in the Case of Costis Parthenis' [in Greek] in Constantinos Parthenis (1878-1967), exhibition catalogue, Vafopouleio Cultural Centre, Thessaloniki 1984, p. 43; A. Kotidis, 'The Influence of Hellenic Art in the Work of C. Parthenis', L'Art Contemporain et le Monde Grec, Actes du XVIIIe Congres de l'Association Internationale des Critiques d'Art (AICA), Athens 1984, p. 151.2 A pencil drawing in the collection of the National Gallery - Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens (no. 7843).3 See A. Kafetsi, Drawings by Constantinos Parthenis in the National Gallery [in Greek], exhibition catalogue, National Gallery - Alexandros Soutzos Museum, Athens 1989, p. 66.4 Compare Dawn (Aurora), Bonhams Greek Sale, May 19, 2009, lot 29, and Still life with violin, Bonhams, Greek Sale, December 12, 2006, lot 85.5 Z. Papantoniou, 'The Art of Parthenis' [in Greek], Patris daily, January 19, 1920.6 K. Iliadis, The World of Art in the Period Between the Wars [in Greek], Athens 1978, p. 101.This lot is subject to the following lot symbols: ARAR Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.For further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

Lot 86

Puritanism.- Vestments controversy.- A Briefe Examination for the Tyme, of a certaine declaration, lately put in print in the name and defence of certaine Ministers in London, refusyng to weare the apparell prescribed by the lawes and orders of the Realme, first edition, black letter, woodcut initials, title a little soiled with margins frayed and small portion of restoration at gutter, a few ff. closely shaved, affecting some text and headlines, E1-D4 with restoration and repair to upper corner and fore-margin with some loss to text, light foxing, extensive notes to rear endpapers, ink inscription in an old hand to 2*2 "The solicitours of these orders were bluddy persecutours", bookplate, 19th century roan, spotted, rubbing to extremities, [STC 10387], small 4to, [In Powles Churchyarde by Richarde Iugge, printer to the Queenes Maiestie, [1566]]⁂ Rare, we can trace no copy at auction since 1979. The vestments controversy was ostensibly concerning clerical dress but grew to encompass the notion of nonconformity in church practices. The debate reached a peak in 1566 with the publication of Robert Crowley's A Briefe Discourse Against the Outwarde Apparel of the Popishe Church to which this is a response commissioned by (and sometimes attributed to) Archbishop Matthew Parker. Provenance: Bt. at Egerton's, Whitehall, 1801 (ink inscription to foot of title); M. H. Bloxam (bookplate and ink notes).

Lot 120

Vacheron & Constantin: opal and diamond dress watchThe oval shaped opal dial in a radiating baguette-cut diamond surround, to the integrated mesh bracelet, diamonds approx. 3.40cts total, French and Swiss assay marks, case numbered 482790 P, length 17.5cmFor further information on this lot please visit Bonhams.com

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