On March 22nd, Roseberys are presenting their first Design Since 1860 sale of 2023. Jo Lloyd, head of Decorative Arts says they are “thrilled that our first Design sale of 2023 offers plenty of high-quality design across a really diverse range of objects - it’s a really interesting catalogue to commence the year”.
Silver design is well-represented from early Arts and Crafts works by Archibald Knox and C.R. Ashbee, through Art Nouveau with a beautiful box by Kate Harris, right up to the 1970s with Stuart Devlin‘Caryatid’ figural stemmed goblets which are most likely a commission and possibly unique.
Lot 112: Keith Murray (1892-1981) for Wedgwood A white bowl or dish with wide everted rim
Keith Murray fans will be delighted with six lots (lots 112-117) in the sale comprising of various bowls, vases, and tankards in ‘Moonstone’ and ‘Matt Green’ glazes - some with the earlier facsimile mark dating from around 1933 and some with the later Barlaston stamp.
Studio Ceramics collectors have lots to choose from with individual works by well-known artists such as Kate Malone, Takeshi Yasuda, Abdo Nagi, Robin Welch, Katharine Pleydell-Bouverie, Joanna Constantinidis, and Bernard Leach. One of the more unusual lots is lot 178 - a set of two sculptures of a chair with a quirky face decoration to the seat back - the work of Sten Lykke Madsen who is considered one of Denmark’s most eminent ceramic artists, and quite possibly a unique work by the artist.
The chairs by Madsen form part of the Grahame Clarke Collection of Studio Ceramics, which also includes a huge collection of Crowan Pottery by Harry and May Davies on offer at Roseberys. Rarely do so many pieces come to be offered all in one auction, and the collection really demonstrates the high standard of output from this Cornish pottery and the beauty of the glazes achieved.
Lot 179: Jennifer Lee (b.1956) 'RCA-136' Asymmetric banded olive speckled, dark rim vessel
There are, of course, several standout highlight lots from the upcoming Design Since 1860 sale. The first of which is lot 179, a Jennifer Lee pot in her distinctive asymmetric design, which is offered with fantastic provenance. Lee confirms that this hand-built stoneware vessel was produced during the Spring Term in her final year at the RCA in 1983. The work was given by Jennifer Lee to the potter Grahame Clarke in exchange for one of his own works - a large Highland Stoneware breakfast cup and saucer which he decorated specifically for her – and now forms part of the collection of the late Grahame Clarke (1942-2014) which has been consigned to the Design Since 1860 sale.
Jennifer Lee was awarded an OBE for her service to ceramics in 2021. Three years prior she won the Loewe Craft Prize and is represented in major public collections worldwide, including The Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, and the Victoria & Albert Museum, with preparations currently being made for her next exhibition taking place in Kyoto, Japan. Her work continues to command strong prices at auction and this vessel is offered with an estimate of £15,000-18,000.
Lot 121: Rene Lalique (1860-1945).Large 'Nippon' service over 100 pieces
The next highlight is lot 121, a large Rene Lalique ‘Nippon’ service including a pair of port decanters and stoppers, 21 water glasses, 20 burgundy glasses, 24 port glasses, 23 liqueur glasses, 1 orange juice jug, 3 orange juice glasses, 21 Coupe à champagne, and 5 stands or plates. This is a particularly large suite at over 100 pieces and is sure to grab the attention of Rene Lalique collectors with its conservative estimate of £1,500-2,500.
Lot 45: Delphin Massier (1836-1907), depicting a design by Alphonse Mucha
Lovers of Art Nouveau will be delighted by the pieces on offer, including a Delphin Massier wall-hanging charger depicting a design by Alphonse Mucha, made circa 1900. The ‘Byzantine head’ design features an Art Nouveau maiden wearing hair jewellery and bordered by scattered flowers. Massier created this beautiful iridescent lustre glazed charger in a similar manner to those produced by his older brother Clément Massier, and whilst the works of Clément are typically more sought after, this is a particularly strong example by Delphin. The range of delicate colours seen as the charger catches the light, beautifully enhances this depiction of Mucha’s well-recognised design which is inextricably linked to the Art Nouveau movement. Lot 45 has an £800-1200 estimate.
Lot 59: Emile Galle (1846-1904) Tall Dahlias flower vase
Lot 59 will surely be exciting for Galle collectors, as early vases decorated in enamels such as this one, rarely come to market. Made around 1900, this is a particularly tall example standing at 59.5 cm. This stunning Galle Dahlias vase has an estimate of £3,000-4,000.
Roseberys are very excited to offer an important tapestry by Jean Lurçat, who is widely credited with reviving the craft of tapestry-making in the early to the mid-20th century. The design of Lot 277 is typical of Lurçat’s exploration of mysticism and the use of symbolism. Measuring 240 x 296 cm, a tapestry of this vast size is rarely seen at auction. The ‘Le Bouc Ocre’ Aubusson tapestry (‘No. 2631’) was produced by Jean Lurçat for Tabard Frères & Sœurs around 1950 and comes to Roseberys with an estimate of £2500-3500.
Lot 263: Willy Sigh for H. Sigh & Søn, Spøttrup Mobelfabrik, Extending dining table
We are also delighted to offer a scarce teak extending dining table by Willy Sigh for H. Sigh & Son. Of exceptional quality, produced in the 1950s, this work is notable for its elegant minimal functionalism, which is contrasted by sculptural accents to the supports. Lot 263 has a lower estimate of £3000.
Another rare find is lot 283 - a model number '457’ bookcase by renowned Post War Italian designers Ico and Luisa Parisi. Manufactured by Angelo de Baggis, Cantu, around 1955, this diminutive yet striking bookcase has different coloured shelves and shaped bookends each with pierced handles. Lot 283 estimate at the upcoming Design Since 1860 auction is £2000-3000.
Also on offer is a comprehensive ‘Cylinda-line’ table service by Arne Jacobsen, originally designed in 1967, winning the Danish Society of Industrial Design’s I-D Prize as well as The American Institute of Interior Designer’s International Design award. This set was produced in the 1980s for Stelton, and remains as popular today as it was when it was first created. Lot 217 has a £250-350 estimate.
Lot 278: Jules Leleu (1883-1961), Pair of lounge chairs, circa
A final highlight is lot 278. Jules Leleu produced this fine pair of lounge chairs circa 1960, which contrasts the French furniture designer’s earlier works as they display a shift from Classicism to Modernism. Similar models to this pair can be seen in F. Sirieux’s ‘Leleu: décorateurs ensembliers’ where they are referenced as having been designed as part of a living room suite for a Genevan client. The Leleu chairs come to auction with an estimate of between £2000-4000.
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