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Victorian Royal Worcester centrepiece/trough by Philips and Pearce, decorated with semi-nude maiden and shells, date lozenge to underside, height 22cm. width 43cm

Alexis Preller (South African 1911-1975) THE SHELL signed and dated '48; oil on board Alexis Preller Retrospective, Pretoria Art Museum, 1972 (Exhibition label adhered to the reverse) PROVENANCE A label adhered to the reverse bears the inscription 'Shell, Property of Guna Masyn listed as private' The Guna Massyn family 16,5 by 22cm In 1948 Alexis Preller visited the Seychelles. During his time here, he would be inspired by all nature of sea life - the beach would become his theatre and many diverse objects, from boats and sandals to mangoes and fish, would play out their surrealist drama here. Preller would absorb each object he came into contact with during his vacation, and would let them simmer in his mind and playout in his art. It is interesting to note that the still lifes of Preller’s Seychelles period would often be placed within a landscape of dirt ground and a moody sky, much like we see in The Shell. The setting is neither land nor sea, but an imaginary scape born out of the depths of Preller’s mind, where the ground would sometimes glow with the intensity of the object it held, as we notice in the ochre-yellow tones of the ground at the forefront of the shell in the present work, giving the object an architectural feeling, rather than a mere still life rendering. Preller would complete a number of works in this small format, often depicting objects that became staples in his oeuvre - fish, shells, egrets and mangoes, amongst others. On these small canvases Preller’s African aesthetic would meet with the Seychelles influence within his surrealistic imaginary scapes. For Preller the imagery of the shell would be a point of departure for a major theme he later developed, that of the human head, in all the many shapes and forms he would develop in his work. “The living shell is a house for an animal. I see the skull as a fabulous piece of architecture – a habitation for the human animal! - his brain his thoughts, everything that can register his experience and his living reactions”¹ It is fascinating to note that the first publicly available auction record for Guna Massyn is for a shell study, completed in 1969.² One can only speculate as to whether Massyn created this work in reaction to receiving The Shell, most likely as a gift from Preller. We know only that The Shell came to be in Guna Massyn’s personal collection before 1972 - the year of Preller’s retrospective exhibition at the Pretoria Art Museum, as the Museum label adhered to the reverse of the work lists Massyn as the painting’s owner. Born Conelius de Jager, Guna Massyn insisted from a young age that he was to be called Guna. It was only in his late teens that Guna de Jager would become Guna Massyn, upon the marriage of his mother, Hazel, to her second husband, Frans Massyn, both of whom were keen to have Guna change his surname in accord with theirs. On a winter’s morning in 1968, Preller came across a note in the postbox he held in Brits expressing a desire to meet him. It was not long before Preller discovered the author of this note was in fact the postal clerk himself, who, at the time, introduced himself as Guna de Jager. With great enthusiasm the young man explained that he was studying art and would love the opportunity to show Preller some of his work and garner his opinion on it. Tall, slim, blond, of modest demeanor and serious about a career in art, Guna was an attractive youth. Both his appearance and his earnest request appealed to Preller who indicated his willingness to meet with him and discuss the aspiring artist’s work. Preller invited Guna to his home, Dombeya, in Hartbeespoort, to visit every now and then to discuss his progress. Before long, it became clear that there was a growing attachment between the mentor and his protègé. While Preller found himself strongly attracted to the young Massyn, it was not merely a physical attraction. In Massyn, Preller saw a younger version of himself, and he was eager to mould Massyn into a successful and sophisticated gentleman. Through this, Preller, in a way, was recovering some of his own youth. He found it immensely rewarding to observe Massyn blossoming under his encouragement and revelled in his worshipful enthusiasm. It was not long before Guna gave up the art lessons he was attending in Johannesburg to become Preller’s full time assistant. As Preller’s assistant, Guna would gladly do all manner of menial tasks with gladness and quiet adoration. One of his more important roles was that of assisting in the hanging of Preller’s exhibitions, and he would often accompany Preller to the Lidchi Gallery a day or two before the opening of an exhibition to hang the show. Massyn played an instrumental role in the preparation for Preller’s retrospective, held at the Pretoria Art Museum, where, more so than hanging the show, he would assist in the restoration of some of Preller’s works on loan from private collections. The museum had requested to loan some works from Guna’s personal collection too, of which The Shell was one. In 1975, Preller would undergo surgery for an ailment that had been bothering him for some time. Preller, convinced that his heart had been weakened by many years of smoking, was almost certain that he wouldn’t survive the surgery, and gave Massyn strict instructions of what was to occur if this was the case. Preller did indeed preempt his death, and on 13 December 1975, he passed away from heart failure before he could awake from the procedure he underwent. Guna lived just long enough to pass on Preller’s dying wishes to those nearest and dearest to them, before he too would succumb, a mere five days later, in a car accident. Alexis Preller and Guna Massyn are buried side by side at Dombeya, Hartbeesport. - K. W. Berman, E. & Nel, K., Alexis Preller: Africa, the Sun and Shadows, Shelf Publishing, Johannesburg, 2009 The World of Alexis Preller, Raymond Hancock Films, SABC Johannesburg, 1973-1975 ¹ Alexis Preller to Esmé Berman, on documentary film, The World of Alexis Preller, 1973 - 1975 ² Sold: Bernadi, Pretoria, 14 February 2010, lot 483

TABLE LAMPS, a pair, Art Deco in the form of military shells with Guniean fowl feathered shades, 67cm H. (2)

WW1 era artillery ammunition & shells (5). Includes projectiles, dug type and one in brass shell dated 1918

WW2 - modern era artillery projectiles & shells (4). Includes 40mm round, 2 in excellent, 2 in dug condition

Vietnam War era practice projectiles & shells (2). Include practice rifle grenade & 84mm shell cone (hollow).

A fascinating collection of bomb fragments, collected during the Second World War by bouncing bomb creator Barnes Wallis and his family at their residence in Effingham, Surrey. Comprising: parts of a Flying Bomb, parts of Incendiary bombs, anti-aircraft shells and other items. All lovingly labelled with the location in which they were found, many with later-tags detailed with information where they were found. Comes with a period handwritten list, believed to be in the hand of Wallis' wife Molly Wallis listing the parts and pieces. An envelope addressed to Wallis is also included with ' bits of anti-aircraft shell found in the chimney or our bedroom, 1971 ' written to the front. A fascinating and important collection of artefacts. Provenance: donated to this auction by Mary Stopes-Roe - Barnes Wallis' daughter.  Sir Barnes Neville Wallis CBE FRS RDI FRAeS (26 September 1887 – 30 October 1979), was an English scientist, engineer and inventor. He is best known for inventing the bouncing bomb used by the Royal Air Force in Operation Chastise (the " Dambusters " raid) to attack the dams of the Ruhr Valley during World War II. The raid was the subject of the 1955 film The Dam Busters, in which Wallis was played by Michael Redgrave. Among his other inventions were his version of the geodetic airframe and the earthquake bomb.

A pair of silver salts and spoons, by John & William F Deakin, Chester 1918, the salts fashioned as scallop shells, raised upon triple ball feet, the spoons with scallop shell bowl and wrythen stem with ball finial, in fitted case, together with a set of six silver teaspoons, by Thomas Bradbury & Sons Ltd, London 1911, Albany pattern, in fitted case, a set of six Art Nouveau style silver coffee spoons, by A E Poston & Co Ltd, Sheffield 1941, having pierced stylised floral finials, in case, a set of six silver three tine cake forks, by Walker & Hall, Sheffield 1905, in felt lined makers case, another set of six silver teaspoons and a cased set of Art Nouveau style silver plated cake forks. (qty)

A WW1 German prisoner of war wooden handle rattle, an African bushmans shell and bead work pouch, a late 19th century Japanese ivory circular lobed dish and cover, the inner bowl carved with a quail, two mother of pearl shells (largest 21 cm wide), a wax circular medallion depicting portrait in profile of Nicolaus Copernicus, a similar plaster medallion, a miniature ivory chess set, (part), various fossils to include serpentine, conulus albogalerus and other items. (qty)

Pair C19th Hard Metal Silver Plated Spoon Warmers in form of nautilus shells, on oval domed feet (2)

A Newlyn Arts & Crafts copper biscuit boxOf oval form, embossed with open shells and galleons, impressed marks to base, height 12cm, length 15cm

A quantity of miscellanea including alabaster box, enamel pin dish, shells, etc.

An Altitude gauge from a WWII aircraft, three brass shells,and a piston pin from a Wellington Bomber.

4 jars of sea shells etc.

STAMPS : FISH CORAL and SHELLS in mint sets and minisheets

R. Lalique - Coquilles, An opalescent and clear glass plate, the underside moulded in relief with overlapping scallop shells, moulded and hand engraved upper case R LALIQUE and FRANCE and Model Number 3012, 20cm approx

R. Lalique - Coquilles, An opalescent and clear glass plate, the underside moulded in relief with overlapping scallop shells, moulded and hand engraved upper case R LALIQUE and FRANCE and Model number 3012, 20cm approx

R. Lalique - Coquilles, An opalescent and clear glass plate, the underside moulded in relief with overlapping scallop shells, moulded and hand engraved upper case R LALIQUE and FRANCE and Model number 3012, 20cm approx

Thomas Webb - A Burmese glass night light shade on a Clarke's Fairy Light pottery base with rare metal Chamberstick fitment, the candle cup pottery base manufactured by Taylor, Tunnicliffe & Company, the gilded crenellated rim above a puce coloured band gilded with a leaf garland and gilded ‘milled’ rim, marked S. Clarke’s Fairy Pyramid, Patent Trade Mark to interior in blue, blue printed TTC beneath crown mark to base, pattern number 1514 in red, 10cm diam; the metal chamberstick fitment formed as two stamped metal scallop shells on a barley twist stem (3) ** Provenance: Purchased from Andrew Lineham Fine Glass

R. Lalique - Coquilles, An opalescent and clear glass plate, the underside moulded in relief with overlapping scallop shells, moulded and hand engraved upper case R LALIQUE and FRANCE and Model number 3012, c1924, 20cm approx

Mahogany inlaid banjo barometer/thermometer, the principal 8" silvered dial signed Cattele & Co, Hereford, within an attractive case inlaid with conch shells and stylised flowerhead,s surmounted by a broken triangular pediment and brass urn finial

A pair of 1960s 18ct gold and ruby 'leaf' earclips together with an abstract 18ct gold ring of the same era, each earring designed as a realistically modelled and textured geranium leaf with a trio of small round cut rubies nestling like dewdrops, clip fittings for non-pierced ears, Birmingham import hallmarks 1966, width 1.5cm; the ring composed of nine vari-sized textured and stylised scallop shells, to bifurcated shoulders and plain shank, size J, London hallmarks for 18ct gold,1969; gross weight of both items 19.3g (2)

A GOOD QUALITY VICTORIAN LARGE DESSERT dish in a style of Paul de Lamerie. The shell shape outline gadrooned rim, pierced mask capped flying handle cast with shells marine creatures and foliage on three cast dolphin supports 13.5” wide Lon 1895 by WG & HL 2080g.

Royal Worcester majolica centrepiece bowl, modelled as shells supported by dolphins, circa 1860, impressed mark to base, height 16 cm . Large chip to rim approx 1cm square, chip to each of the outer shells (between 3mm and 10mm diameter). Cracks approx 5mm in the green foliage on one side (that supports the dolphin tail). See images. Two vertical hairline cracks to interior from rim, approx 3cm long.

Charles & Ray Eames for Herman Miller, model 670 lounge chair and matching 671 ottoman, bent-ply rosewood veneered shells with padded and buttoned black leather upholstery on aluminium base, Herman Miller Collection sticker beneath chair. Provenance: Both purchased direct from Herman Miller, Chippenham in 1966.. auburn Herman Millar label

An Arts and Crafts silver and enamel circular bowl, embossed with verse Carpe diem quam minimum credula postero and applied with oval bisected fossil motifs centred by pearl shells, ball feet, 22cm diam, maker LD, London 1916, 14.5oz

An Edwardian silver sauce boat, of George III design, shaped everted rim, acanthus capped flying scroll handle, hoof feet with shells to knees, 17.5cm long, Daniel & Arter, Birmingham 1907, 8.5oz

An Edwardian silver standing salt, after a Renaissance model, the shell bowl crested by a figure, knopped stem and domed foot chased with shells and strapwork, 26.5cm high, Carrington & Co, London 1905, 9.5oz

A Staffordshire flatback figure, of Napoleon III, modelled sitting on a gun emplacement, his right arm resting on a canon, piles of shells at his feet, titled oval base, EM NAPOLEON, 39.5cm., c.1854; a Staffordshire arbor group, of a courting couple seated under grape vine, 36.5cm high, c.1860; another; a Staffordshire spaniel, seated to the left, copper markings, 24.5cm high, c.1870; etc (6)

A Meissen figural candlestick, the column with classical lady, scantily draped, a child on her knee, holding with leafy column, wrythen moulded base painted with birds, in relief with shells, in pink and turquoise, outlined in gilt, 48.5cm high, crossed swords in underglaze blue, incised G84 (now converted as a table lamp)

A Meissen figural four-light, three branch candlestick, the scroll arms encrusted with flowers and foliage, the column with classical lady, scantily draped, a child on her knee, holding with leafy column, wrythen moulded base painted with birds, in relief with shells, in pink and turquoise, outlined in gilt, 48.5cm high, crossed swords in underglaze blue, incised G84

A large Louis XV Revival ormolu cartouche shaped table clock, 26cm dial with enamel cartouches inscribed with Roman numerals, twin winding holes, eight-day movement striking on a bell, the case crested by a flaming lamp and cast with lyres, diapers, shells and scrolling acanthus, 70cm high, c.1850

A late Victorian mahogany and marquetry display cabinet, arched cresting above an oval glazed door, flanked by a pair of further rectangular doors, inlaid in coloured woods with shells, flowers, leafy stems and ribbon tied trailing bell husks, outlined throughout with boxwood stringing, tapered square legs, spade feet, 193cm high, 142cm wide, c.1900

A tribal art carving of a naked man with a fancy hair do and inlaid metal eyes, a plated rope around his waist and two kauri shells on his wrist, overall height 25cms

A boxed Tri-ang 'Magicar Motoring' MG-3 set containing three body shells, two motorised bases, accessories and track together with two boxed Tri-ang 'Trik-Trak' cars and a boxed 'Motorific Dearborn Torture Track' by Ideal, the latter missing the car. Condition of items varies all untested and unchecked for completeness. (4)

Large late 19th or early 20th Century Meissen group of Amphitrite with other figures, net of fish, shells and crustaceans to the naturalistic base, blue cross swords and incised marks to base, 13ins high (various minor losses) CONDITION REPORT Various losses to the group and plants as shown in photos.Lady and cherub missing fingers

DRAGON EMBOSSED CIGARETTE BOX, NAIL BUFFER, SHELLS ETC

A 19th century sketch book containing an interesting collection of botanical watercolour studies, ornithological studies, shells and other natural history subjects, 23 x 20 cm album size, together with a further mid 19th century album of studies by Fanny Matthews containing watercolours of mushrooms and toadstools and other fungi, inscribed to front cover and dated 1858, 13 x 22 cm approx, together with further loose botanical studies

A selection of vintage sea side shells

A collection of vintage and newer Star Wars Millenium Falcon shells and spare parts

Pair of WWI trench art artillery shells stamped 1914 & 1918 (34cm high)

A COLLECTION OF TEN VARIOUS POTTERY JUGS all believed to be Welsh and includes small Llanelly rose jug, fluted jug impressed South Wales Pottery, 'Vine' patterned BB&I jug, silver lustre jug inscribed 'Ann Rees...' (restored), Swansea 'Shells' pattern jug etc

Conchology - assorted sea shells including cowrie scallop etc

A 19th century simulated rosewood sarcophagus box, hinged cover, now containing a collection of sea shells and natural history specimens, outlined throughout faux brass stringing, bun feet, 31cm wide

Conchology - a collection of Indian Ocean shells inc Conch, Crab qty

Geology and Conchology - various specimens including pyrite, Hertfordshire pudding stone; various Scottish geological samples, dolomite, carved mother of pearl shell depicting exotic seabird's above the waves; a white hammer oyster; cowrie shells etc.

A collection of 11x Dean's Rag Book Company made limited edition Collector's Club / Membership bears. All only ever displayed, all mint, with their certificate tags (unless stated). Comprising: Miss Rose (65/500), Howard (2271), Sandy (5/40), Becky (26/40), Small grey bear (No tag), Deans Club Edition (1171), Hunter (2008 Edition, no tag), Didley (7/35), Humphrey (1361), Hampton (3067), and Sea Shells (30 - no tag). Tallest measures approx; 35cm. 

Near pair of Royal Worcester dishes, in the form of scallop shells decorated with flowers and blush colours, the underside with Royal Worcester mark and numbered 1274, 24cm and 23cm wide, (2)

Rene Lalique - A 1930s Coquille bowl, pattern number 3200, relief moulded with four scallop shells in a graduated opalescence, moulded mark, diameter 24cm

Rene Lalique - A small 1930s Art Deco circular bowl in the Coquilles pattern, no. 3204, circa 1924, relief moulded to the exterior with over lapping shells with a graduated opalescence, wheel engraved mark, diameter 13cm

Elizabeth Cousins (Contemporary) - Fish and shells, ink and wax resist drawing, signed, framed.

Two large Melo Amphora bailer shells 30cm length approx

A Watercolour 'Gathering Sea Shells' - Tanya Smith

 [MAFEKING SIEGE OF]: A scarce original printed folio edition of The Mafeking Mail, being a Special Siege Slip ('issued daily, shells permitting') published on the penultimate and 216th day of the Siege of Mafeking, Wednesday, 16th May 1900, numbered 143. Printed and published by Townshend & Son of Mafeking, and edited by the manager, G. N. H. Whales, the newspaper is printed on both sides of slightly inferior accounting paper (several ruled blue lines evident to the verso) and provides the latest news including a report of the action of 12th May, an announcement of despatches received during the previous night, 15th May, advising that Relief Columns from the North and South are both near at hand, the Boers advanced party from Maritzani arrived at the old S.W. Laager but are still at present in their camps and appear to have lost many of their waggons, and also stating 'The Colonel Commanding hopes soon to be in a position to congratulate the Town and Garrison on the termination of the hardships and anxieties which they have borne with much exemplary courage and fortitude for the past seven months', further providing the General Orders made by Robert Baden-Powell ('The whole garrison is to be congratulated on the brilliant success gained over the enemy yesterday…..') and listing six officers who are to be commended for their gallantry etc. Together with a second original printed folio edition of The Mafeking Mail, being a Special Siege Slip published in the week following the relief of the siege, Monday, 21st May 1900, numbered 146, the newspaper printed on both sides of heavier paper and with the headline Our Relief, and reporting, in part, 'Colonel Mahon's march to our relief, of 240 miles in twelve days, through country in the hands of the enemy…..and the fight outside Mafeking on Wednesday last, will, when recounted by the able scribes who accompanied the force, form one of the most notable chapters in the history of this war…..the heart of Mafeking is not a cold one, and though long duration of anxiety may have somewhat numbed its throbbing, it is full of fraternal yearning to those noble volunteers who came to our rescue so grandly…..', a smaller part of the newspaper carrying an erratum, an advert for an auction of household furniture, a notice for the sale of 'a complete set of Siege Stamps' for which offers are invited etc. Also including an original folio Souvenir Special issued by the Natal Mercury on 19th May 1900 following the relief of Mafeking, with red and blue vertical stripes and a portrait of Baden-Powell, Hero of Mafeking, at the centre, the printed text including headlines of Glad Tidings - Mafeking Relieved and London Delirious etc. All with various minor faults (neat splits to some folds, marginal tears and small areas of paper loss, some light staining and a few remnants of tape repairs etc.) FR to G, 3   The 217-day siege battle for the town of Mafeking ran from 13th October 1899 until 17th May 1900 and turned the British commander, Robert Baden-Powell, into a national hero. The siege received considerable attention during the Second Boer War as Lord Edward Cecil, son of the British Prime Minister the Marquess of Salisbury, was amongst the besieged residents. The Relief of Mafeking was of little military significance but did prove to be a valuable morale boost for the struggling British. 

Two abalone shells

A cast bell-metal cauldron; decorated in relief with shells, scrolls etc., raised on three slightly splayed legs headed by masks and terminating in paw-style feet, foundry mark to base Fonderia FR DE Poli in Vettorio; generally good condition with previously repaired leg/foot, 20cm diameter (widest point) x 19.5cm high

An interesting and varied collection of mostly German military artefacts recovered from the former German lines (1916) of the Verdun battlefield in 1986; to include three French 75mm high explosive shells (two duds and one semi-detonated), a half-litre bottle of Gesenberg beer, a medium-machine-gun magazine, part of a heavy-machine-gun mounting, a hand grenade handle, a smoke grenade canister, mess tins and canteens, a pick-axe head, a barbed-wire picket-post etc. (all in corroded condition)

Two Riley radiators with shells.

Six Rotax headlamp shells.

A collection of shells