The earliest lot in the sale is a beautifully refined twisted gold torc from the Bronze Age. Designed as a status symbol to be worn around the neck, it would have originally been made for one of the elite in the community from where it originated in the Western Asiatic region.

Continuing with the theme of beauty, the sale includes a 2nd century AD portrait bust of the Empress Faustina the Younger, one of the most significant female personalities of the Imperial Roman period. As wife of the philosopher emperor Marcus Aurelius (r. 161–180), Annia Galeria Faustina the Younger (r. 161–175) was Augusta, and therefore, the most powerful woman in the Roman Empire and the known world.

More traditional lots include a rediscovered suite of seat furniture supplied to John Bligh, 3rd Earl of Darnley (d.1781) for Cobham Hall, Kent by the renowned Golden Square firm of John Mayhew and William Ince. The suite comprising eight armchairs, a pair of sofas and three window seats has not appeared on the market for over 50 years. There is also a beautiful group of 18th century Sèvres porcelain, much of which have French Royal and Aristocratic provenance. These are again appearing on the market for the first time in decades having been in a private collection in Bath.

Demonstrating Britain’s great naval traditions, we have a Lloyds £100 Patriotic Fund sword which was presented to Capt. Charles Elphinstone for capturing Dutch ships off the coast of Java. Demonstrating the dangers that the sailors had experienced, it was awarded posthumously to his family, as Capt. Elphinstone had been lost at sea on his return voyage. The sword is being offered for sale by his descendants and is accompanied by a painting by Joseph Cartwright, depicting the action for which the sword was awarded.
 
Closing the sale is a remarkable group of sculptures representing The Four Seasons by the famed Parisian jeweller Joseph Chaumet. Cast in gilt, patinated and silvered bronze, the detailing on this rare assembly imitates Chaumet's meticulous jewellery, and are a rare addition to his oeuvre with only a small number of his sculptures known.

Auction Highlights

Auction Details

Wednesday 9 December, 2.30pm GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Auction coming soon!
Sign up to email alerts

Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
Wednesday 25 November: 10am–4pm
Thursday 26 November: 10am–4pm
Friday 27 November: 10am–4pm
Saturday 28 November: 10am–3pm
Monday 30 November:: 10am–4pm
Tuesday 1 December: 10am–4pm

Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
Saturday 5 December: 10am–3pm
Sunday 6 December: 10am–3pm
Monday 7 December: 10am–4pm
Tuesday 8 December: 10am–4pm
Wednesday 9 December: 10am–2.30pm

Further information
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | info@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com