Still don't know what to get your loved ones this Christmas? Need some inspiration? Just in time for Christmas, our Interiors sale on 13 December offers a range of furniture, works of art, sculpture, and decorative objects for the home that would make the perfect gift for your friends or family, or if you are even looking to treat yourself. Head of Sale, Ashley Matthews, has put together a gift guide, highlighting some of the lovely items on offer.
For some festive fun and to keep the whole family entertained, we have Lot 75, this Victorian coromandel and burr walnut games compendium, dating from the second half of the 19th century. It variously offers chess, draughts and cribbage, complete with leather clad folding games board, markers and shakers.
We also have Lot 26, this lovely William & Mary oyster veneered lace box. Simple, elegant and understated – this may prove to be the perfect place to keep one’s treasures.
For any dog lovers, there is Lot 31, a pair of late 19th century Continental models of retrievers. These are probably French, each hound portrayed looking alert and with tail raised in characteristic pose, they are stood on a naturalistically modelled shaped oval base.
For something with a touch of class, we have Lot 33, a Napoleon III kingwood, rosewood and mother-of-pearl liquor decanter and glass set, dating to circa 1870. This would be the perfect way to round off the Christmas meal or perhaps to serve your guests a festive tipple. It comes with a trio of decanters and stoppers, together with thirteen spirit glasses.
If the Napoleon III decanter and glass set took your fancy, you may also like Lot 38, this set of eight Baccarat Napoleon III brandy balloon glasses, from the third quarter of the 19th century. To complete the set and to ensure you are ready for any drinking occasion, it also comes with a part table service, possibly Baccarat, comprising a pair of decanters and stoppers; six finger bowls; six champagne cups; six red wine goblets; three white wine and six liqueur glass. All are decorated with gilt festoons and swags.
Adding a splash of colour, we have a selection of Val Saint Lambert glass vases available (Lots 91-104). Val Saint Lambert is a Belgian crystal glassware manufacturer, founded in 1826, and carries the royal warrant of King Albert II. Available in a range of styles we are pleased to include Art Nouveau and Art Deco examples in a variety of shapes and colourways.
With the fridge surely bulging with food, you will need Lot 167, a Regency mahogany wine cooler to keep the drinks chilled for the Christmas festivities. Of campaign type, it is fitted with a zinc lined interior and two lidded compartments. Wine coolers or Celarets have been a feature of dining rooms since the late 18th century, appearing in the design books of Hepplewhite and Sheraton.
For the natural history buff, we have Lot 254, a large polished and chiselled fossil group. On a chiselled ground, this impressive fossil group includes fourteen ammonites and ten orthocones. The chambers of the fossils are marked with bands of fossilised silt and quartz deposits. Bound to be a stunning centrepiece to any collection, this is an impressive 143 x 121cm overall.
We also have a selection of Lalique crystal glassware. Looking for a statement table centrepiece? Lot 153 is a crystal Lalique clear glass petal bowl from the Capucines range. Capucines is the French for nasturtium - the bowls edge is formed of six nasturtium leaves with their stems dipping into the well of the bowl. Ideal to be filled with sweets to keep the little ones amused after dinner and before the King’s speech.
In the bleak midwinter it is easy to forget that spring is just around the corner, but get prepared early by purchasing Lot 257, this pair of aluminium benches. Of recent manufacture these are in the manner of the renowned Coalbrookdale Foundry. Each with a central raised oval back with stiff-leaf decoration, flanked by further openwork sections.
Tuesday 13 December | 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
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VIEWING:
Friday 9 December: 10am - 4pm
Sunday 11 December: 10am - 3pm
Monday 12 December: 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 13 December: from 8.30am
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