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Click here to subscribeA fine and rare Chinese reticulated porcelain vase in the Imperial taste, of squared tapered form, polychrome decorated with flowers and birds on a turquoise ground, the double-walled body pierced with panels of stylised landscapes, the interior decorated with female figures amongst stylised garden landscapes and bearing verse in the manner of Bao Zhao, raised on a square flared base, bears inscribed gilt Qianlong seal mark. H: 36.5cm
An extremely rare Georgian lead cistern dated 1754 and with the initials FSD 75cm.; 30ins high by 109cm.; 43ins long by 58cm.; 23ins deep Lead cisterns became popular in the 17th and 18th centuries as a means of storing rainwater from roofs. Often situated in courtyards, they are one of the very few examples of garden ornament to often bear a date, often supplemented as in this example, with the initials of the owner. The front and sides were cast in one long rectangular panel in a sand pit with the decoration made through carved wooden strapwork mouldings, letters and numbers together with any other decorative features pressed into the sand before the lead was poured in. This would often include armorial devices relating to the family, or figures representing the seasons. Whilst having the normal strapwork decoration, date and initials, as well as an armorial cresting, this rare example also has a very unusual pair of vases of flowers in the rococo fashion, which is very much in keeping with the mid 18th century date.
A fine and rare William and Mary double-horizontal carved Portland stone and bronze sundial circa 1690 inscribed and constructed for latitude 52° 24’ N., bearing the Arms and motto of the Cornwallis family, signed Henricus Wynne Londini Fecit, the dial plate seated on three bronze bearings upon a Portland stone plinth with octagonal top and four volute supports with acanthus terminals flanking scallop shells, on moulded square base Sundial 69cm.; 27in diameter, plinth 130cm.; 51ins high The double-horizontal sundial, as the name implies, is a dual instrument, its principal features comprising a ‘double’ gnomon and complementary hour-scales on the dial plate. The primary instrument is the fiducial edge of the inclined or sloping part of the gnomon, which, when the sundial is correctly set, lies parallel to the earth’s polar-axis and aligned in the north/south plane of the meridian and the shadow of which indicates the time against the outer hour-scale on the dial plate, in hours and minutes. The secondary instrument is the sharp vertical edge of the triangular-shaped support to the gnomon, which lies in the axis of the observer’s zenith, and the shadow of which indicates the position of the sun at the point where the straight edge of the shadow intersects the hour-line on a planispheric projection of the celestial sphere, corresponding to the time indicated on the main dial. This observation provides various astronomical data, including the sign of the zodiac in which the sun is situated, the times of sunrise and sunset, the length of the day in terms of the number of hours in the day from sunrise to sunset, the altitude and azimuth (direction) of the sun, together with the means to determine the time when certain ‘fixed’ stars would transit the meridian. The Cornwallis double-horizontal sundial has a floreated gnomon, seated on a sheet-brass dial plate, which is affixed to a cast-bronze base by means of ‘hidden’ rivets. The dial plate is engraved with various scales and tables, the primary hour-scale in the outer ring being graduated in hourly, ten-minute, five-minute and one-minute intervals, within which there are inner rings calibrated to indicate direction in terms of azimuth or bearing. The planispheric projection is also engraved with an inner and outer hour-scale, to facilitate its use, being graduated with hour-angle divisions (meridians) and parallels of declination to the limits of 23½ degrees north or south of the celestial equator or equinoctial line. Two engraved arcs, representing the ecliptic, the apparent path of the sun, extend from the points where the 6 o’clock meridians or hour-circles cut the equinoctial and graze the north/south extremities of the projection at the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn. The signs of the zodiac are inscribed at their respective intervals along these two arcs. At the east/west extremities of the projection there are date-scales, graduated in months and days, whereby the date may be determined from an observation. Conversely, the date being known, the sundial may be readily be orientated and aligned in the meridian, without recourse to the more usual and protracted methods involved in setting up an ordinary common or garden horizontal dial. Other scales engraved on the dial include a semi-circular lunar hour-scale (situated within the arc of the inner hour-scale of the planispheric projection), by which the time may be deduced from an observation of the moon, and two sets of altitude scales, for use with a pair of compasses or dividers. The names of certain fixed stars are inscribed within the boundaries of these scales, together with the values of their respective hour-angles or angular distances measured eastwards of the so-called first point of Aries, the vernal equinox. On the planispheric projection this is the point, at the eastern extremity of the grid system,
A pair of rare Georgian carved Portland stone terms circa 1740 160cm.; 63ins high These would originally have formed part of a larger architectural fitting either as jambs of an important chimney piece or jambs for an imposing door casing. Terms in the form of classical busts on a tapering pedestal originated in Roman times, representing the god terminus and were used for marking the boundary of an area or estate. Revived in Italian renaissance gardens, they were later adopted by William Kent, the 18th century architect and leading exponent of the Palladian style of architecture, named after the Venetian architect Andrea Palladio (1508-1580) and first introduced into England at Chiswick House, designed in conjunction with his patron Lord Burlington and finished in 1729. Kent was also a prolific designer of both landscape gardens and furniture, with term figures liberally used in both disciplines. His work was recently celebrated at an exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum William Kent: Designing Georgian Britain.
Attributed to William Grant Stevenson: A rare Victorian carved white marble group of two water spaniels and a whippet circa 1870 signed Stevenson and with later white marble plinth 81cm.; 32ins high by 94cm.; 37ins long by 84cm.; 33ins deep Although a number of Stevenson’s are recorded as sculptors working in the second half of the 19th century, largely in Scotland, William Grant Stevenson, (1844-1919) is specifically known for his animalier pieces. A member of the Royal Scottish Academy he exhibited a bronze stag in 1894, now in the Edinburgh Museum. He also sculpted a monumental stone statue of William Wallace in Aberdeen. This unusual group would have been undoubtedly have been an individual portraits commission for a family’s dogs, interestingly the marble separates into five different sections so that the dogs maybe viewed together or as individual groups.
An extremely rare Coalbrookdale Osmundia Fern pattern cast iron garden seat circa 1870 stamped Coalbrookdale and with diamond registration mark and number 193cm.; 76ins wide Together with Osmundia Regalis, the Osmundia Fern pattern is one of the rarest and most intricate of all the Coalbrookdale designs. It is illustrated in the 1875 Coalbrookdale castings catalogue, Section III, no 57.
A rare Coadestone armorial for the Founders Company stamped Coade and Sealy, Lambeth, 1800 124cm.; 49ins high by 94cm.; 37ins wide by 33cm.; 13ins deep Provenance: Most probably removed from the façade of the Founders Hall, London. The Worshipful Company of Founders is one of the oldest Livery Companies of the City of London, and can trace its existence back to 1365. It was formed to protect the interests of its members and to promote high standards of quality and workmanship in articles of bronze and brass. The first hall was built in 1531, when 18 members of the Company joined together to buy two houses and a garden in Lothbury and proceeded to build a Hall on a site which still bears the name of |Founders’ Court|. The Company was hard hit when the Hall, like so many others, was destroyed in the Great Fire of London in 1666 and rebuilt at a heavy cost mainly borne by the Liverymen from their own pockets. Built in brick with a stone front it is almost certain that this armorial was a later addition to the Hall and would have been positioned at parapet height on the façade, in the same position as a royal coat of arms, supplied in many cases by Eleanor Coade, for businesses which had received a Royal Warrant to supply some commodity or service. It would have been removed when the hall was demolished in the 1840’s to make way for a new Hall started in 1845. This piece would have been an individual commission and incorporates the Founders Company coat of arms which show a laver or washing ewer flanked by candlesticks reflecting the Founders who in the early days of the guild worked in brass and brass alloys or tinplate known as |Iatten| or |laton|, producing small cast articles. The top of the armorial incorporates a flaming furnace including a crucible from which the molten brass would have been poured into moulds. The lower portion with the bronze mortars and dolphin handles together with chain shot cannonballs normally used in naval engagements for destroying rigging on enemy ships, were very topical given the date of 1800 on this piece, since Britain was engaged in a maritime duel with Napoleon’s France for supremacy at sea which culminated in the battle of Trafalgar 5 years later in October 1805. The skill of the Coade modellers in faithfully reproducing in clay, the wooden carriage even down to the square iron strengthening plates and screws flanking the Coade stamp is testament to the quality to which Eleanor Coade aspired. This unusual Coade commission represents an opportunity to acquire a unique example from the best of the 18th century manufacturers and a piece of social history from one of the oldest and most august of the historical Livery Companies of London.
A rare Coadestone plaque of St. George and the Dragon late 18th century 122cm.; 48ins high by 95cm.; 37½ins wide This would have originally formed part of a larger architectural frieze possibly for an Irish Georgian house constructed in the last quarter of the 18th century. The only known mention of a Coade Stone St George and the dragon is one at Mercers Hall, now in Museum of London. Literature: See Mrs Coade’s Stone by Alison Kelly, SPA, 1990, page 410
THE DEFENCE OF TRINITY COLLEGE 1916 SILVER PRESENTATION CUP, awarded to LIEUT & ADJt. C.L Robinson, Sinn Fein Rebellion Easter 1916, this very rare cup by West & Son, Dublin, the hallmark date also 1916, inscribed front and verso, the baluster shaped cup with two double scroll handles and shaped bead rim, raised on a circular domed stem foot, the base stamped Reed and no. 507559 6in (15cm) , 237g. (1) Note: These cups were issued to the people who defended Trinity College at the locked gates from the roof, shortly after the firing began on Monday 24th April 1916, armed members of its Officer Training Corps watched from the roof with orders to shoot at any armed men not wearing uniforms, so presumed to be rebels, they defended the college through the week without any indication that the rebels had any plans to invade it. After the Rising the board decided to thank those who assisted in its defence and each member was presented with souvenir silver cup.
A VERY RARE PAIR OF ACID ENGRAVED GLASS CLARET JUGS, 19th century, probably by the Pugh Family of Glassmakers, Dublin c. 1863-1890, commemorating Master McGrath's record three victories in the Waterloo Cup, 1868, 1869, and 1871, each with a portrait of the greyhound within an oval and two stags verso, 10.25in (26cm). (2)
Dublin Industrial Development Association, Buyers' Guide To Irish Industries, Dublin, 1908, 84pp illustrated 165x105mm original printed wrappers, a rare ephemeral item, used to 'promote the sale of Irish manufactured goods to the Irish home market and to raise national awareness of the recently created "Déanta i nÉirinn" trade mark with its Celtic design logo. All firms who were licensed to use this trade mark are marked out by an asterisk in this guide'. (1)
A RARE IRISH PATCHWORK QUILT BY MRS. R. RUTTLE, beautifully worked with colourful sections of plain and patterned materials, some with hand worked flowers and other devices on geometric patterns and with 4 silk tassels, 43in (109cm)h x 34in (86cm); together with a Portrait Print of Mrs R. Ruttle. Mrs R. Ruttle (nee Cook) was born at the Royal Hospital, Kilmainham, her father Robert Cook being one of the captains of the establishment from 1830 to 1850. She married Dr. Robert Ruttle, son of a Dublin barrister and they moved to England. The quilt was made there and given to her daughter Mary Isabella. She became a missionary but retired to Ireland and died in 1968 in her 90th year at Mageough Home, Rathmines. Shortly before her death she entrusted the quilt to F. E Dixon who presented it to the present owner.
A LARGE RARE 19TH CENTURY OCTAGONAL SLATE SUNDIAL, dated 1835, inscribed Horizontal Sundial Systematically calculated for the north latitude degrees and minutes, west longitude, degrees and minutes, the Marines Compass, the twelve signs, the primary planets rectified, the dial profusely inscribed with countries and cities of the world, towns and cites of Ireland, signs of the zodiac, months, hours, minutes are bond inscribed, "A table of the equation of time showing how much a good pendulum watch or clock ought to be faster or slower by a sun dial mathematically calculated for everyday in the year in minutes and seconds for the Meridian". 23.5 in (60cm) (1)
Vintage Hitachi KS-1700H Portable Stereo Radio - The First Boombox! - Very Rare!: Superb Vintage Hitachi KS-1700H AM/FM Stereo Radio. The First Boombox! Own a piece of history! (See it at the Radio Museum: http://www.radiomuseum.org/r/hitachi_all_transistor_ks_1700hks.html) 17 Transistors. Manufactured in 1968. This is a delightfully designed and executed portable stereo radio. It features two detachable speakers which hinge and clip to the back for transportation and detach to allow spacing for proper stereo imaging.
Vintage 1960s Pioneer Hawaiian SB-2 Portable Phonograph Rare Boxed: Pioneer Hawaiian SB-2 Portable battery operated Phonograph made by the Pioneer Electronic Corporation Made in Japan. It plays 45 and 33 rpm but has a card on the turntable for 78 and 16 2/3rd rpm speeds; it has a speed dial as well as the 45 & 33 dial. What is especially rare is the box. There is an elastic cord to hold the 45 rpm records in the lid are present. This phonograph was made in the mid-1960s for the beach or picnics and this one is in the rare ivory colour and comes with original leaflet and bill of sale £6.60 21st August 1965 (slight crack in the Lid)
Rare Arise the Netherlands Maastright Blue/White Dutch Commemorative WWII Plate: Attractive Blue & White 9” Commemorative Victory Cabinet Plate. A Dutch trumpeting nobleman on horseback trampling on a swastika flag with the sun rising over free Holland. The border of Dutch, British and American flags and an inscription that reads “HERRIJZEND NEDERLAND” “NAAR VREDE” (toward peace) “EN WELVAART” (and prosperity) Maker marked to the reverse side “Societe-Ceramique, Maastright Holland” with impressed 3 1/2 and having string hanger
Very Rare 1956 Rupert Annual in great condition - no puzzles touched, original owner name neatly written on contents page (please note no facsimile /copy was made of this year due to certain remarks in the stories referring to coloured people etc), manufacturing light lines to covers which also appear on other examples.
Rare Mettoy Playthings (UK) “Friction Siren Toys” Dealers Display Box: Very unusual set which could have been sold as a gift set, with a Fair to Good colourfully illustrated box with hinged lid and inner card divisions. Box contains 1 x No.3001 Police Car, 1 x No.3006 Fire Tender and 1 x No.3005 Ambulance - Good to Good Plus, all are tinplate friction drive vehicles, being smaller versions of the more common larger series, each model is approximately 12cm long, a nice item. (missing 3 identical cars)
Doctor Who Give-a-Show Projector (1965) by Chad Valley: very rare collector’s item - battery-powered projector and 16 slide-strips in the original box. The stories feature the Doctor, Ian and Barbara. The numbering reflects the total range of Chad Valley slides and these were the only Doctor Who related slides available. TITLES: 137: Dr Who in “Lilliput” 138: The Daleks Destroy the Zomites 139: Dr Who on the Aqua Planet 140: Dr Who in the Spiders Web 141: Dr Who meets the Warermen 142: The Defeat of the Daleks 143: The Secrets of TARDIS 144: The Daleks are Foiled 145: Dr Who and the Nerve Machine (Daleks) 146: The Ice-Age Monster 147: Rescued from the Daleks 148: Escape from the Aquafien 149: Where Diamonds are Worthless 150: The Prehistoric Monster 151: On the Planet Vortis 152: The Zarbi are Destroyed. Some of the slides are slightly bent, but still viewable and the box shows some signs of wear, due to the age
Codeg (UK) Mechanical Tinplate Space Shooting Range: Very rare item, clockwork powered, tinplate spaceships revolve around a system of pulleys across the tin printed display, a separate tin printed base clips to the display and is complete with a spring loaded gun, made to fire ball bearings at the passing spaceships! - Excellent, c.1952/53 in a Good card box with colourfully illustrated lid, an unusual item, in working order with key
Rare Triang Minic RAF Special Squadron Presentation Set: In the original box: Containing 16 Push and Go Friction Vehicles to include Airplanes Tankers Cranes Transporters all in RAF colours and markings hosed in its original box overall condition very clean (please see Mullocks Auction 17th October 2012 or another example we sold)
Mettoy Alice in Wonderland Mad Hatters Race Track: c.1950s, Very rare track toy with detailed tinprinted layout featuring Alice in Wonderland characters and with a separately boxed plastic Alice riding a bottle with original key, the set box marked “By Permission of Walt Disney Mickey Mouse Ltd” - Excellent, very unusual set, 50cm long, Alice’s bottle is contained in a Good Plus illustrated individual box, the set box is Fair (some damage and lacks end flaps to one end) and shows many colourful Disney characters
Victory Models 1/18th scale Triumph TR2 Sports Car: Large scale plastic battery operated model of this classic sports car, rare red variation, with black seats and tan coloured removable tonneau cover (which is also the battery compartment cover), registration number TR2 90, includes metal fittings, steerable front wheels and has only one aero windscreens - Excellent Plus to Near Mint in a Good Plus illustrated box, still with warranty slip and instructions
Rare Mettoy Playthings (UK) “Friction Siren Toys” Dealers Display Box: Very unusual set which could have been sold as a gift set, with a Fair to Good colourfully illustrated box with hinged lid and inner card divisions. Box contains 1 x No.3001 Police Car, 1 x No.3006 Fire Tender and 1 x No.3005 Ambulance - Good to Good Plus, all are tinplate friction drive vehicles, being smaller versions of the more common larger series, each model is approximately 12cm long, a nice item. (missing 3 identical cars)
Doctor Who Give-a-Show Projector (1965) by Chad Valley: very rare collector’s item - battery-powered projector and 16 slide-strips in the original box. The stories feature the Doctor, Ian and Barbara. The numbering reflects the total range of Chad Valley slides and these were the only Doctor Who related slides available. TITLES: 137: Dr Who in “Lilliput” 138: The Daleks Destroy the Zomites 139: Dr Who on the Aqua Planet 140: Dr Who in the Spiders Web 141: Dr Who meets the Warermen 142: The Defeat of the Daleks 143: The Secrets of TARDIS 144: The Daleks are Foiled 145: Dr Who and the Nerve Machine (Daleks) 146: The Ice-Age Monster 147: Rescued from the Daleks 148: Escape from the Aquafien 149: Where Diamonds are Worthless 150: The Prehistoric Monster 151: On the Planet Vortis 152: The Zarbi are Destroyed. Some of the slides are slightly bent, but still viewable and the box shows some signs of wear, due to the age
Codeg (UK) Mechanical Tinplate Space Shooting Range: Very rare item, clockwork powered, tinplate spaceships revolve around a system of pulleys across the tin printed display, a separate tin printed base clips to the display and is complete with a spring loaded gun, made to fire ball bearings at the passing spaceships! - Excellent, c.1952/53 in a Good card box with colourfully illustrated lid, an unusual item, in working order with key
Rare Triang Minic RAF Special Squadron Presentation Set: In the original box: Containing 16 Push and Go Friction Vehicles to include Airplanes Tankers Cranes Transporters all in RAF colours and markings hosed in its original box overall condition very clean (please see Mullocks Auction 17th October 2012 or another example we sold)
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