A New Zealand Totara Knot and Hinan wood occasional table, by Johan Marti Levien, second quarter 19th century, the rounded rectangular tilt-top above a faceted baluster support with a foliate carved collar, on a concave-sided platform with scroll feet and castors, 71cm high, 61cm wide 48cm deep, the top of the block bearing a manuscript label 'this wood imported from Wellington - New Zealand - the native names are Totara with Hinan border and manufactured G.D.M Levene, New Zealand House, New Broad St .... London Johan Martin Levien (1811-1871) was born in Barth, a sea-port in Western Pomerania, Prussia where he undertook his cabinet-making apprenticeship, becoming a Master in 1831. He followed this with an extensive period of travel, visiting Norway, Denmark, Sweden, Russia and Hamburg. During his time in Europe he was not only able apply refine his skills but he also attended various schools of drawing and design prior to setting sail for Pernambuco in Brazil in 1837 to set up his own business. Unfortunately the climate did not suit his health, causing him to leave for Rio de Janeiro c. 1840. Here Levien devoted himself to sourcing exotic timber specimens amongst the interior forests. His appetite for collecting rare wood samples lead him to Wellington, New Zealand later the same year where he believed unknown timbers awaited his discovery. These were very early days for settlers which necessitated Levien building his own house with the assistance of local Maoris - a primitive rush construction secured by poles in ground. Once settled he began exploring the hinterland forests to identify suitable cabinet timbers, drawing on the experience he had gained in Brazil. Here he selected a range of native timbers including Hinau, Kauri, Mai, Matai, Rata, Rimu and Totara. This was heavy work as the newly hewn trees had to be carried back through the forest to the base camp before they could be sawn into planks. Some of the trees were over a hundred feet tall with boughs up to twelve feet in diameter. When Levien arrived in Wellington he could neither speak English or Maori but quickly assimilated both languages and built up a rapport with the native tribesmen. He built a beachside store and workshop on what is now known as Lambton Quay and shortly after married an English woman of high social standing. By 1843 he had built a flourishing business as a contemporary report recorded: 'Mr Levien...has been industriously employed in proving the value of our forests, by working native woods in all descriptions of furniture. His work is beautifully executed, and his prices moderate'. The report went on to state 'We are glad to find a considerable quantity of furniture wood being shipped by all the vessels now proceeding from this port to England. Mr Levien...proceeds in the brig Victoria to London, with a view of establishing a warehouse for the manufacture and sale of New Zealand wood ...Mr Levien takes with him a large quantity of choice specimens of our woods, carefully selected by himself, and well seasoned before embarked...'.However Levien was never to return to New Zealand, possibly for a combination of reasons including the unrest in that country arising over land rights and his rapid establishment of a business premises in London. This was located at the New Zealand Company, Broad Street and a letter from London, dated 17 October 1844 testifies to his success. It noted that 'Levien has an order from the Baron of Rothschild to fit up an entire room with totara and hinau; old Mr.Rothschild is about to do the same thing, and Gillow, Doubiggen, and some others of the cabinet-makers have purchased good quantities of his woods'. On 5 August 1846, Levien received a Royal Appointment, recorded in London Sun of 22 August under the heading MR. LEVIEN. HIS SPLENDID WORKMANSHIP FOR THE QUEEN, AND THE FURNITURE WOODS FROM NEW ZEALAND: 'We are happy to announce that her Majesty has been pleased to confer upon Mr Levien the appointment of cabinet-maker to her Majesty, in token of the very elegant specimens of workmanship made by him from the woods of New Zealand. Her Majesty the Queen was the first to patronise him. And he has secured great favour with her Majesty by his workmanship, his skill, and his woods'.One of Levien's most important early patrons was the Prussian Chevalier Bunson (later Baron Bunsen) who introduced him Frederick William IV, King of Prussia. In 1848 the King presented Levien with a gold medal, 'awarded by the Prussian Court to persons of distinguished merits in the arts' and conferred on him a Royal Appointment. This lead to a series of high profile commissions as recorded in the Morning Post 'Amongst the English nobility and gentry, whose patronage he is experiencing, we may also mention Lord Ingestre, Lord Ilchester, Baron Rothschild, John Abel Smith, Stewart Marjoribanks, G. Tomline...' Later in 1848 Levien married again to Mary Ann Willson and moved to new premises at 10 Davies Street, Grosvenor Square. Throughout the 1840s Levien succeeded in swimming against the tide of conservatism as English furniture was almost exclusively manufactured out of mahogany, walnut, rosewood and oak at this time. That Levien had tested each of his woods brought him public confidence and convinced his clientele of the suitability of his chosen New Zealand timbers. He recommended tawhero (Weinnannia sylvicola), for instance, as a substitute for mahogany, and suggested specific purposes for other particular veneers. However, above all Totara Knot was the most easily distinguishable. It was described in a contemporary periodical as 'of a colour something between bird maple and the walnut, bears a high polish, and displays an exquisite grain in fine and various lines of softening tint', and its durability is manifested by the fine condition of pieces of furniture made from it in existence today'.Levien continued to successfully promote his business throughout the following decades and this included his participation in a series of international exhibitions including The Great Exhibition, London 1851; The Dublin Exhibition, 1853, The Paris Exhibition, 1855 (where he received a medal) and The International Exhibition, London 1862. Few pieces of his furniture bear a label or signature, although many pieces are known through exhibition catalogue engravings and other puplications including 'Art Furniture'- Woods of New Zealand, and their adaptability to art furniture, James S. Virtue, London, 1861. Levien's work is recorded in the English Royal collection, and exhibited at The Museum of New Zealand. He continued trading until 1868 when he sold the business and died three years later in 1871. His Totara Knot sideboard, exhibited at The Great Exhibition 1851 sold for £380,000 at Sotheby's in 1998, one of the highest auction prices ever achieved for an item of 19th century furniture.
We found 209236 price guide item(s) matching your search
There are 209236 lots that match your search criteria. Subscribe now to get instant access to the full price guide service.
Click here to subscribe- List
- Grid
-
209236 item(s)/page
An Antwerp Historical Tapestry, probably by the workshop of Jan Frans Cornelissen or Anna Maria Wauters, The Sacrifice to the Unknown God, from The Story of Emperor Octavian Augustus, circa 1660-1690, the design attributed to Justus van Egmont, woven in wools and silks, depicting Augustus, crowned with laurel, standing before an altar with inscription IGNOTO DEO, surrounded by priests, musicians and further kneeling and standing entourage, the fruiting and festooned borders woven with maidens personifying Peace and Victory respectively holding aloft military trophies headed by Imperial eagles, and with central cabochon to the upper swagged and flowering border, 271cm x 457cm The present series is first recorded in 1659, and takes its inspiration from the life of Augustus (63 BC - 14AD), the first Roman Emperor, as recorded by Suetonius. The son of a senator, Augustus served under Julius Caesar and was subsequently adopted by him. After the demise of Lepidus and Mark Antony (see the Brussels tapestry presented in this sale), with whom Augustus had entered into a triumvirate to rule the Roman republic, he became the sole ruler of Rome. His rule is mainly remembered as the start of the Pax Romana, an era of relative stability and peace. Justus van Egmont had studied under Rubens and Simon Vouet, and is known to have designed various tapestry cycles with Roman subject matter. A suite of tapestries attributed to the family-run Antwerp workshop of Wauters and Cornelissen with the same border design, reputedly from the collection of Maria Cristina, Queen of Spain, was sold at Christie's, 10 November 2005 (lots 92-103). Eight panels, whose different borders also include the cabochon motif, are at the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. The present episode is relatively rare, though a known surviving example is at the Museu de Sao Roque, Lisbon. A fragmentary panel of the central section is at Cotehele, Cornwall. Parts of the series, again with similar borders, are at Hardwick Hall, Derbyshire.
THE MOTOWN SINGLES COLLECTION - PROMO 7" BOX SET (TMG 1041-1052). Super rare UK promo only box set containing 12 x demo 7" running from 'TMG 1041' to 'TMG 1052' inclusive. The records are mainly in Ex+ condition, a few showing some light marks. Housed with an outer box 'The Motown Singles Collection, 24 Top Hits' though please be aware this is in Fair condition with tape repair and some tears.
An early to mid 18th Century brass ink standish: of rectangular form, the central lift-off candlestick enclosing a circular dipped well for seal wafers, flanked by two circular ink and pounce pots, raised on swept feet, the underside clearly showing traces of silvering with silver leaf overlapping 27cm wide, indistinct mark.* Note Illustrated and described, ''A very rare English brass standish'', in Gentle & Feild, English Domestic Brass, First Edition P178 no 268, 268A.
A rare Elizabeth I oak Glastonbury armchair:, of pegged construction, the twin arcaded panel back with carved lozenge foliate centres and guilloche surrounds, with shaped scroll cresting with incised stylised leaves centred by a carved geometric pendant leaf, bearing the initials 'A. H.', having shaped arm supports and solid panel seat on X-frame legs.* Provenance. Circa 1900, a farm near Oakford, mid Devon.* Note Illustrated Tobias Jellinek Early British Chairs and Seats 1500 - 1700 p119 plate 127.* Note Two copies of this chair are on display at St Nicholas Priory, Exeter. About a dozen comparable chairs are recorded, seven of which have been found in Devon, prompting conjecture that they may have Devon provenance.
A rare graduated set of five 17th Century motto skillets: cast at The Fathers' Foundry, Montacute, Somerset, the second smallest, cast 'PITY THE PORE 1684' is the only dated example, the date referring to the extreme cold of that winter when the Thames froze and supported the Frost Fair.*Note Ref. Butler & Green, English Bronze Cooking Vessels & Their Founders 1350-1830, Pub 2003,pp59-63.
An early to mid 17th Century child's turned ash and oak high chair: the tapered back with urn finials, the arm supports with urn and baluster uprights, having a solid oak seat, on tapered under-framing, united by stretchers, some turnings replaced. Note the rare survival of the many free-running turned rings.* Notes. Illustrated. Tobias Jellinek Early British Chairs and Seats 1500-1700 p.150 plate 169 described as 'very fine and rare'.
A rare and important early 18th Century brass tea kettle on stand with spirit burner: of octagonal pear-shaped form, with engraved domed lift-off lid, ring turned wood swing handle and zoomorphic spout, the stand with three double scroll legs united by an octagonal cradle holding the burner, raised on ball feet, overall height 40cm (handle raised), no traces of silvering found.*Note A brass teapot and stand is discussed in The Journal of the Antique Metalware Society Vol 22 pp 32-37, which shares many similarities and may be by the same maker.
J.Rombach, Regent Strt., London, an unusually small early 19th century wheel barometer: the 4½ inch round silvered dial engraved as above, the small mahogany case with tapered sides and a swan neck pediment, the trunk having an inset thermometer with silvered dial, overall height 87cm.* Biography Joseph Rombach is recorded as working in London from circa 1832 until at least 1857 as a watch and clockmaker. Ref. Brian Loomes Watchmakers & Clockmakers of the World Vol.2 p.202. Pub. NAG Press 1976.* Note The rare small size has been achieved by dividing the mercury tube in two which is interlinked with an alcohol filled tube.
CHIPPENDALE, Thomas (1718-1779): The Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker's Director: Being a large Collection of the Most Elegant and Useful Designs of Household Furniture, in the Most Fashionable Taste. London: for the Author, 1762, Third & Best Edition . This is one of the rare EXTRA ILLUSTRATED COPIES, WITH A TOTAL OF 212 PLATES (When the third edition was published only 95 of the 161 plates of the first edition were retained and 105 new plates were added for a total of 200. "Up to 12 extra alternative plates are found in some copies (as in ours). These are numbered: 25, 36, 45, 49, 67, 68, 153, 159, 167, 171, 179, 187.). Folio, PP:xxviii(including title page, Dedication, etc.), Plus 212 plates. Half leather, rubbed; the gutta-percha glue has as often perished, hence all loose. title page, a couple of the plates and few of the preliminary pages frayed and with light dust stains & small tears.
Herbert Thomas Dicksee RE (1862-1942) 'THE KILL' (TIGER, LYING IN WAIT IN LONG GRASS) Original etching on wove, signed artist's proof, not published image 21 x 45.3cm, unframed This rare etching was exhibit no.1 at The Art Institute, Chicago (see label verso). Provenance: from the artist's grandson. Exhibited: Royal Academy, 1933, no.1163.
A rare carved and painted ivory cockatoo automaton walking stick, late 19th century, the silver collar with activation button and inscribed 'V, 1897', on a wooden shaft, 95cm long For an almost identical head carved by the Czilinsky family and related discussion, see Katherine Prior, 'In Good Hands: 250 Years of Craftsmanship at Swaine Adeney Brigg', 2012, pp.58 and 59.
Clarke, James: A Survey of the Lakes of Cumberland, Westmorland, and Lancashire . For the Author, and sold by him also by J. Robson, etc. 1787, 1st. edn. Folio, PP: Title page, (ii)dedication &blank, v-xlii, 193, (i)Errata, Plus 12 folding maps (numbered 1-11, and one without number. Possibly one map in two parts!), and 2 plates. Later half leather and marbled boards. Professionally restored copy, title page, few page edges and maps repaired; lacking pages 75-82(blank pages bound instead. (This first edition is very rare in any form!).
Herbert Thomas Dicksee RE (1862-1942) 'LEOPARD DRINKING' Original etching on wove, signed by the artist in pencil, pre-publication, second development proof, rare image 19.8 x 35cm, unframed Provenance: From the artist's grandson. The artist further enhanced this proof before it was published by Frost & Reed in 1916.
A rare mid-20th century stainless steel wrist watch, Omega Seamaster 300, black rotating bezel, black dial, luminous baton indicators, Arabic numerals to quarters, sweep second hand, automatic movement, Omega bracelet, the rear cover finely engraved with owners name etc. 'OOCD403 BRIAN SMITH' formerly with Fleet Air Arm (Dimensions: Case width: 40mm)(Case width: 40mm)Condition report: In good working order, comes with a box, original guarantee dated 24-8-67, Movement no. 24715725, Ref. ST1650024, also with an old bracelet, a stack of service documents over the years, bezel rotates well, good physical condition, bit discoloured, case generally okay but minor knocks etc. as expected with age, bracelet is by Omega and is now showing slackness but still serviceable. Please note that all wear is consistent with age and use. The absence of a statement of surface or condition issues does not imply that the lot is in perfect condition or completely free from wear and tear, imperfections or the effects of ageing. Condition reports for all watches and items of a mechanical nature are made without any guarantee as to working condition or whether all parts are original, any information as to working order is noted during processing of the lots and should be treated as general information only. Please also note that watches, and in particular Rolex, may have been enhanced after the original purchase by the addition of diamonds and other gemstones. Unless we have been given information by the vendor, or stated otherwise, it should be assumed the gemstones are a later addition, set by a third party.
An early Worcester octagonal coffee cup, c.1753, of rare large size, applied with a double C-scroll handle, painted in enamel colours with a Chinese figure with chinoiserie vases and flowers, Barbara Leake and Cohen Collection labels, H.6.3cmProvenance: The Cohen Collection, Albert Amor LtdBonhams, The Barbara Leake Collection, Lot 164, 12 Mar 2008, London, New Bond Street
A rare Maori whale bone and paua shell pendant, hei tiki of unusual hei matau form, possibly late 18th/early 19th century, with two manaia heads on a wide single tiki body; with a single suspension hole to one head and paua shell inlaid eyes, H. 8.8cm, shell inlay lacking to two eyescf. The British Museum no. Oc1896,-.925.a for a nephrite pendant of identical form described by Hooper, Stephen, Pacific Encounters, Art & Divinity in Polynesia 1760-1860, Sainsbury Centre for Visual Arts, University of East Anglia, Norwich, BMP, 2006 as a unique combination of hei tiki and hook pendant (hei matau), this ornament has a beautiful pale green colour. Unusually it has two suspension holes; a now detached short cord and bone toggle (not shown) may not be original. Nephrite (pounamu) from several remote western and southern parts of the South Island varied in colour and clarity depending on the source.See T. Barrow, 'Two hei tiki-matau Amulets', Journal of the Polynesian Society, Vol. 70, No,3, 1961, p.353.Provenance - East Sussex private collection acquired in the UK prior to 1990.
Ansel Adams (1902-1984), a rare Adams & Co. Minex De Luxe tropical mahogany and brass camera, 5 x 4in., the original leather case stamped with Adams' initials 'AA'Provenance: According to Adams & Co. records this camera was ordered directly by Ansel Adams. Acquired in South America by a collector and bought shortly after by the current owner in the late 1970's. Ansel Easton Adams (1902-1984) was a landscape photographer and environmentalist famous for his black and white images of the American West.
Scotland, a rare James VIII (1688-1766) pattern crown, 1716, in silver, type II, by Norbert Roettier, signed R on foot of harp on reverse, struck c.1828, by Matthew Young, IACOBVS VIII DEI GRATIA, laur. and dr. bust right, rev. crowned arms, edge plain, light toning, minor nicks otherwise AEF 28.7g,
CATALOGUE AMENDMENT: ONE FLAT BACK FIGURINE HAS BEEN DAMAGED DURING VIEWING. LOT WILL STILL BE OFFERED FOR SALE.A collection of Lorna Bailey pottery, comprising a variety of sugar sifters, including 'Bewitched', 'Thunderbolt', and a rare sifter with applied caterpillars, one of seven, a completed set of the 'Twenties Elegance' series of flat back figurines, comprising 'The Bell Hop Boy', 'The Jazzband', 'Ocean Liner' and 'Manhatten Skyline', together with two cat figurines, one in a witches hat, a caterpillar figure and a Lorna Bailey head/bust vase, largest 19cm high. (14)
Graf Zeppelin 8 x 5 b/w photo signed by crew member Ernst Fischbach who was on board for the legendary around the world flight by Graf Zeppelin, he has added Graf Zeppelin 4/12/29 - 30/10/35. Rare and highly collectable. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Adolf Galland WW2 Luftwaffe fighter aces typed signed letter 1975 on his own stationary to collector Mr Grant ( F/O Alick Grant 2392 ATC Sqn) regarding an invitation to a dinner celebrating the 35th Ann Battle of Britain, asking if Bader and Tuck were attending. Rare signed in black with full signature. German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western Front and in the Defence of the Reich. On four occasions, he survived being shot down, and he was credited with 104 aerial victories, all of them against the Western Allies. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Adolf Galland WW2 Luftwaffe fighter aces typed signed letter 1987 on his own stationary to collector Alick ( F/O Alick Grant 2392 ATC Sqn) regarding details of his 25th victory on 31/8/1940 20km SE of Cambridge, with considerable detail on guns, amount of shots fired , being 150 meters from the Spitfire. Rare WW2 content signed in black with nickname Dolfo. German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western Front and in the Defence of the Reich. On four occasions, he survived being shot down, and he was credited with 104 aerial victories, all of them against the Western Allies. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Adolf Galland WW2 Luftwaffe fighter aces typed signed letter 1987 on his own stationary to collector Alick ( F/O Alick Grant 2392 ATC Sqn) regarding details of his 25th, 26th,27th, 28th victories all on 31/8/1940. Rare WW2 content signed in black with nickname Dolfo. German Luftwaffe general and flying ace who served throughout the Second World War in Europe. He flew 705 combat missions, and fought on the Western Front and in the Defence of the Reich. On four occasions, he survived being shot down, and he was credited with 104 aerial victories, all of them against the Western Allies. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Zeppelin LZ127 crew member Albert Thasler signed on back of Zeppelin postcard, he has added all his career details, rare item. Good Condition. All autographs are genuine hand signed and come with a Certificate of Authenticity. We combine postage on multiple winning lots and can ship worldwide. UK postage from £4.99, EU from £6.99, Rest of World from £8.99.
Loading...-
209236 item(s)/page