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2020 Online Auction: Decorative Arts & Jewellery to suit every pocket

3 Apr 2020

The Decorative Arts are focused almost entirely on the Oriental. Collectors already established in this field will find the selection mouth-watering, and initiates entering this market for the first time will struggle to choose.

The ever popular Chinese blue and white porcelain is well represented.  Look out for examples from the Kangxi (1662-1722) and Qianlong (1735-1796) periods, through to the more recent Qing Dynasty. There are dishes, plates, vases, and platters of all shapes and sizes at estimates to suit every pocket.  If blue and white is not to your taste, you may find the pretty famille-rose and famille-verte pieces decorated with flowers, birds and butterflies or perhaps the colourful cloisonné vase enamelled with storks and lotus blooms (estimates R2 000 – 3 000) more appealing.

Amongst the more unusual pieces is a 19^th/20^th century Chinese carved bamboo brushpot (R8 000 – 10 000),  or a 19^th century Chinese intricately pierced biscuit porcelain model of a dragon boat, possibly by Chen Guozhi (R15 000–20 000), a paper scroll painting (R3 000–4 000) and two embroidered silk panels (R6 000–8 000).

Featuring on the sale is a wide selection of Chinese miniature carved figures and snuff bottles, much sought- after not surprisingly when one examines the intricate workmanship and the variety of materials used, agate, quartz, amethyst, celadon jade, ivory and glass, and even a walnut shell carved with figures and trees (R1 000 – 1 500). There are also a fair number of Japanese ivory netsukes and okimonos, delicately carved with mythical creatures, deities and demons.  Japanese Imari, Kutani and Satsuma wares are all being offered, and the session concludes with a pair of Chinese Southern Provincial cedarwood chairs, purchased in Kowloon thirty-five years ago (R10 000 – 15 000).

With Easter approaching, there are several unusual objects of vertu appearing in the Jewellery Session which would make perfect gifts, namely an attractive gold-mounted agate box (R4 000–6 000), an agate and gilt-metal-mounted etui, fitted with an assortment of miniature implements (R3 000 – 5 000), some highly decorative Chinese kingfisher feather and gilt-metal hair ornaments (R7 000-9 000) and, appropriately, a guilloche enamel and gilt-metal-mounted vinaigrette in the form of an egg (R4 000-6 000).  For the distinguished gentleman who still appreciates a quiet smoke, two gold cheroot cutters made by Alfred Dunhill & Son (R4 000-6 000) will add a certain style to this ritual.

When it comes to the jewellery, be prepared to experience a veritable Aladdin’s Cave.  To begin with, eye-catching Indian jewellery which will appeal to those with a taste for the exotic, to wit a dainty eight-strand Keshi seed pearl necklace (R8 000-10 000), an elaborate 20ct gold necklace (R16 000-18 000), an enamel, diamond-set and gold pendant (R6 000-8 000) or a pair of ornate gold and gem-set pendant earrings (R18 000-20 000).

Moving on, elegant Scandinavian jewellery is well represented with examples from such well-known names as Georg Jensen, with a pair of cufflinks (R4 000-6 000), a silver ring (R7 000-9 000) and a silver brooch (R5 000-7 000) depicting a kneeling deer.  Pieces by other Danish makers include a Hans Hensen silver bracelet (R5 000-7 000) and a silver brooch designed by Volmer Bahner (R4 000-6 000). A realistically enamelled silver butterfly brooch by Norwegian designer, Marius Hammer, will no doubt attract much attention (R3 000-4 000)  and from Finland comes a sterling silver ‘Planetary Valleys’ necklace, designed by Bjorn Weckstrom, an example of which was worn by Carrie Fisher as Princess Leia in the 1977 production of ‘Star Wars IV’.

Tourmaline, the most colourful of all gemstones, is in constant demand so mention must be made of the exceptionally fine diamond and tourmaline pendant (R3 500-4 000) and two magnificent gold and tourmaline rings (R2 000-2 500 and R2 500-3 000 respectively).

Fashionistas will have the rare opportunity to get their hands on pure silk scarves by top designers Hermès, Must de Cartier, Escada and Svetlana Schmidt for Orsorama, at estimates ranging from R2 000 – 4 000 each.

Finally, for those who still derive pleasure from the gentle art of writing, a Montegrappa 1912 Jubilaeum Vatican 2000 papal pen (R5 000- 7 000) complete with presentation case and Harrods certificate, or a Mont Blanc pen and pair of cufflinks (R6 000 -8 000) should more than fit the bill.

The sale opens on Monday 6 April and closes at 8pm on Tuesday 14 April 2020.