Review of entries for Pictures sale on 16th October
Included in the sale was an 18th century landscape by the Italian Francesco Zuccarelli (1702-1788). The picture was typical of Zuccarelli’s work and featured a man and woman with dog under a leafy tree in the foreground and a castle on the mountain beyond. This picture was part of an interesting collection purchased at a country house sale which took place in the 1920’s. It formed part of the contents of Stowlangtoft Hall near Bury-St-Edmunds and was purchased by the present owner’s grandfather together with several other pictures entered in this auction. The Zuccarelli oil painting was unsigned but typical of the artist’s work and went for £2,700.
From landscapes to portraits, and this collection included a number of distinctive portraits and groups including a delightful Florentine School portrait of a female saint in an intricate carved giltwood frame, bearing an estimate of £600-£800. It was believed to be by Paoletti although unsigned, and achieved £780. A smaller, but charming female half-length portrait was also a continental work and in a decorative giltwood frame, and sold for £240. An intricate oil on slate after Hans Holbein (1497-1593) was a copy of the " Darmstadt Madonna" and was a study of the Virgin and Child together with the family of the sponsor, Burgomeister Mayer. This small work was estimated at £400-£600, while another portrait possibly painted by Baroness Amherst of Stowlangtoft Hall went for £300. A more contemporary study of a boy with pigeons, probably dating to the late 19th century was an enchanting outdoor group, estimated at £400-£600 while a charming group of a girl with baby seated on her knee sold for £170 notwithstanding a small area of damage in the picture.
More contemporary landscapes also featured, such as an oil on canvas by G. Wolseley (1884-1967), which made £450, and a rather modest but interesting Mediterranean harbour scene showing a half-naked fisherman at the water’s edge. In a completely different style, almost that of a miniaturist, was painted a pair of Alpine lakeside scenes by J. Schuler (?). This highly detailed pair of landscapes also featured the Rosenlaui Glacier and were estimated to sell between £600-£900.
Miniatures also appeared in this sale, with a delightful enamel on porcelain group by Mary Pitts featuring a mother and children estimated to realise £300-£400. From the other end of the globe were four Persian miniatures of typical style featuring deer-hunting and these were estimated at £150-£250.
For images and hammer prices for all lots in this sale, please refer to the catalogue.