Top Of The Lots, 2022

As the end of Roseberys 2022 auction calendar approaches, we are pleased to share with you the top twelve lots sold this past year.

1.

_{Lot 24: Sir Stanley Spencer CBE RA, British 1891-1959 - The Resurrection, Cookham, 1920-21}

Leading the rank was an oil and pencil laid down on board by English painter Sir Stanley Spencer CBE RA. Titled ‘The Resurrection’ and painted in 1920, was offered in the February 2022 Modern British & 20th Century Art as part of the collection from the descendants of Arthur Tooth & Sons. This work realised a price of £400,000.

2.

_{Augustus John OM RA, British 1878-1961- Dorelia in the Garden, 1912; oil on board, 50x30cm}

The second-highest piece sold this year was another early painting by Augustus John. Similarly featuring 'Dorelia in the Garden' and painted in 1912 it reached a total price of £185,000.

 3.

 _{Lot 147: Cartier. A very rare 18ct white gold and diamond set asymmetrical wristwatch}

In third place we have this very rare and exciting white gold and diamond set Cartier Crash wristwatch from 1998, whose design certainly captures the flamboyant and exuberant spirit of London in the 1960s. This watch realised a price of £125,000. 

 4.

 _{Lot 311: A Victorian proof set of specimen coins, 1893}

The solo standout lot from the November Fine & Decorative sale was this Victorian proof set of specimen coins. Fresh to the market from the Schroder banking family, the Victorian proof sets of specimen coins from 1893 attracted considerable pre-sale interest and were viewed in person by a large number of collectors. The set realised a total of £112,500.

5. 

_{Lot 85: A hexagonal Cintimani tile, Ottoman Syria, 16th century}

Next on the list from the Antiquities, Islamic & Indian Art department was this wonderful 16th-century Ottoman hexagonal tile, from the estate of costume designer Anthony Powell, which smashed its pre-sale estimate to achieve £114,000. Featuring a wonderful and highly desirable Cintamani design in striking turquoise and black, the large size and desirability of Iznik pottery and good provenance led this tile to achieve an outstanding result.

 6.

_{Lot 20: Augustus John OM RA, British 1878-1961 - Dorelia in a cyclamen dress with a blue apron, c.1910-12}

From the same collection as our top lot, was this remarkable early painting by Augustus John OM RA. This work was likely painted in the south of France, at the Villa Saint Anne, where Augusts John and his second wife and early muse lived partially from 1910-1928. Realising a price of £106,250.

7.

_{Lot 319: Banksy, British b.1974- Banksquiat (Grey), 2019}

Roseberys were particularly proud to offer Banksquiat (Grey) screenprint, on grey card, to the market. Published by Banksy in 2019, this edition of 300 in white pencil, is an ode to Jean Michel Basquiat with his crown emblem adorning a ferris wheel. As usual with Banksy, the satire with a political edge image is simple yet loaded with hidden meanings reaching a final price of £103,125.

 8.

_{Lot 13: Lynn Chadwick RA, British, 1914-2003 - Maquette VII Walking Couple, 1976}

From the Geoffrey & Fay Elliott Collection, was 'Maquette VII Walking Couple' by Lynn Chadwick. This brilliant example of the artist’s mature style of the 1970s encapsulates the physical energy and emotional heart of his work. With an estimate of £35,000 - £45,000, it reached £97,500.

9.

_{Lot 292: A diamond single stone ring, the claw-set circular-cut diamond weighing 6.96 carats, to a plain hoop, c.1950}

Next, was one of the premium highlights of the Jewellery & Watches Spring sale. This magnificent diamond solitaire ring, weighing 6.96 carats and mounted in a plain eight-claw mount entered the market with an estimate of £35,000-£55,000 and realised a price of £93,750.

10.

_{Lot 291: An important diamond and coloured diamond brooch/pendant, attributed to Oscar Massin}

From the same auction came this important diamond and coloured diamond brooch/pendant, attributed to Oscar Massin, selling for a price of £90,000.

11.

_{Lot 126: An important imperial Mughal spinel, inscribed with the title of Shah Jahan and dated 1[0]39AH (1629-30AD)}

With royal provenance, this Mughal imperial inscribed spinel from the treasury of Shah Jahan dated 1039/1629-30AD. The Indian pendant was in the collection of devout Sikh Raza Wazir Singh of Faridkot, Punjab, who succeeded his father Raja Pahar Singh in 1849. It sold for £68,750.

12.

_{Lot 37: A Chinese porcelain underglaze blue and yellow enamel square bowl, Jiajing mark and of the period}

_{明嘉靖 黃地青花纏枝龍紋壽字方盌 《大明嘉靖年製》款}

Finally, lot 37, is a fine example of a square bowl emanating from the Jiajing Imperial Kiln. Despite a condition issue - a polished rim, this received a huge amount of interest, prior to the sale, with bids being tendered from across the world, eventually selling to a collector in the room for a price of £60,000.

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