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Decorative Arts Highlights on the July Online Auction

1 Jul 2020

An eye-catching array of Italian and French lamps are amongst the top lots; these include a pair of 20^th century French glass and gilt-metal table lamps (R15 000 – 20 000) which complement perfectly the pair of brass and silvered metal side tables with seahorse-headed legs, possibly by Maison Jansen (R18 000 – 24 000), and two pairs of Louis XVI style gilt-bronze wall lights (R12 000 – 15 000 each) from Maison Charles, one of the foremost Paris design houses, blending the classical with the sleek contemporary look.  The sale also features two unusual reverse paintings on glass by 20^th century French artist, Marie Amalia, Bataille d’éléphants and Le Lion et L’éléphant (R1 000 – 1 500) whose signature colourful, fun and lively artworks appear regularly on international exhibitions.

Moving to Italy, wonderful examples of interior design are to be found.  A decorative late 20^th century Banci Firenze gilt-metal and painted four-light chandelier, naturalistically modelled with fern leaves suspended from a basket (R15 000 – 20 000) leads the way, followed by a 1980s gilt-metal and Murano glass six-light table lamp intricately moulded with pink and white glass flowerheads (R10 000 – 15 000) and a  pair of wall scones, similarly moulded, (R10 000 – 15 000), all by the same maker.

Tablewares include a 1970s Italian Franco Lagini silver-plated gilt three-light centrepiece (R4 000 – 6 000) and ice bucket (R7 000 – 9 000). These designer wares are complemented by a Portuguese silver water jug, Oporto, 1938-1984, (R5 000 – 7 000) and four Baccarat ‘Camus’ Cognac decanters (R5 000 – 7 000). The ever popular 18^th century blue and white Delftware is also well represented.

Worth mentioning is a selection of 20^th century Russian decorative lacquered papier-maché boxes,  variously painted and, for the last word in elegance, a silk top hat from Scotts in Piccadilly, famous hatters to the Royal Family, in a fitted leather hat box together with a faille opera hat, from Robert Heath, Knightsbridge, which collapses flat so as to be stored safely under the wearer’s seat and not obstruct the view of the theatre goer in the seat behind (R3 000 –  5 000).

Furthermore, the furniture section boasts a George II style giltwood mirror (R15 000 – 20 000) formerly the property of Punch and Cynthia Barlow, Vergelegen (R12 000 -15000), a Regency mahogany bowfronted sideboard (R10 000 – 15 000) and, the ultimate statement pieces,  a pair of painted wooden pedestals each surmounted by an urn elegantly decorated with swags and ribbons (R20 000 – 30 000).