A Roman Marble Torso of Aphrodite

A rare survivor from an age of imperial glory, this small Roman marble torso of Aphrodite (Lot 5) dates to the 2nd century A.D., a fragment of timeless beauty. Measuring just 30.5cm in height, its modest scale suggests it was created for private devotion. The piece now comes to auction from the estate of a Georgian townhouse in The Paragon, Bath.

A George III Wine Cooler after a Design by Robert Adam

Robert Adam was arguably the most important British architect, furniture designer and interior designer working in the Neoclassical style. In this auction we have Lot 166, an impressive George III mahogany and brass mounted wine cooler which is directly comparable to a design by Robert Adam. It shares notable similarities with his commissions for Osterley Park in Middlesex, Cumberland House in Pall Mall, and Kenwood in Middlesex. As such, this piece likely originally formed part of a suite of dining furniture, comprising a serving table flanked by pedestals and urns, as seen in these other commissions.

A George III Serpentine Commode in the Manner of Thomas Chippendale

Offered here is a fine and elegant George III mahogany serpentine commode (Lot 170). Crafted in the manner of Thomas Chippendale, it draws directly from designs in his Gentleman and Cabinet-Maker’s Director - the most significant and celebrated collection of furniture designs published in Britain at the time.

A Selection of Minton Pâte Sur Pâte Pieces

Marc-Louis Solon, originally one of the top porcelain makers in France, worked at the Manufacture Nationale de Sèvres. He left France in 1870 to escape the Franco-Prussian War and began working for Mintons Ltd in Stoke-on-Trent, where he became the leading expert in the pâte-sur-pâte technique. Multiple pieces of his work are held in the V&A, and his largest commission is at Queen Victoria’s Osborne House on the Isle of Wight.

In the auction, we have a number of Minton ceramic pâte-sur-pâte pieces dating from the late 19th to the early 20th century (Lots 234-240). The selection includes vases, urns, goblets and moon flasks, all carved in low relief with classical scenes. These come to auction from the Estate of a deceased Gentleman.

A White Marble Group of a Greyhound and Puppy by Joseph Gott

The Yorkshire born artist Joseph Gott (1785-1860) is considered to have been amongst the finest British sculptors working in the first half of the nineteenth century. He had trained under John Flaxman between 1798 and 1802 before entering the Royal Academy in 1805 aged just 20. A gifted artist who combined a skill for working in the Classical manner with an undoubted joy in portraying dogs and children, in 1822 he was awarded a pension from the Academy's then president Sir Thomas Lawrence, for travel abroad specifically to Italy as well as a personal letter of introduction to Europe's greatest living sculptor, Antonio Canova (1757-1822). 

We are pleased to be offering Lot 257, a mid 19th century white marble group of a greyhound bitch and puppy by Joseph Gott. This work was once at Nidd Hall, and was acquired by Guy Reed from Richard Butler, 17th Viscount Mountgarret, in 1968. It now comes to auction from the Guy Reed Will Trust from Copgrove Hall in Yorkshire.

A Writing Desk by Maison Millet

Maison Millet, the esteemed furniture firm, was established by the celebrated Parisian father and son makers, Blaise and Théodore Millet. They were renowned for their exhibition quality furniture in Louis XV and XVI style, which were adorned with extremely fine bronze mounts. They won multiple awards including the gold medal at the 1889 Paris Exposition Universelle, and were even commissioned by the Palais de Versailles to replicate Marie-Antoinette's celebrated Grand cabinet à bijoux.

Here, we have this impressive kingwood, satinwood, parquetry decorated and ormolu mounted writing desk "en rognon" by Millet (Lot 419). It is elaborately decorated with bronze mounts including side cherubs and the Mars infant surmounting the clock to the centre of the desk. These are reminiscent of the work by French sculptor Léon Messagé, and they could have been cast after his designs. Indeed, evidences have been found that he did not exclusively worked for François Linke but also for Krieger, Zwiener, Roux et Brunet and then possibly Millet. In that respect, this piece can be considered as one of the most interesting in Maison Millet's production.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 3 & Wednesday 4 December, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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