Silka Rittson-Thomas’ Top Picks

It has been difficult to choose my favourite works from the selection, as each piece carries so many memories. However, these are the few pieces that do stand out for me.

The Transylvanian marriage bench has surprisingly fit into different environments. It has proven to be fantastically versatile, providing office, living room and entrance seating alike during its many years in my changing households. I adore the scale and simple shape of the bench, tenderly decorated with painted bouquets of tulips reminiscent of embroidery and still-life genres.

In contrast, this piece is a highly skilled and elegant example of furniture from the Art Deco period. Equally charming and warm in character as the marriage chest, this sophisticated 1930s Jules Leleu cabinet, mastered with inlays of fine materials, also depicts different motifs of the natural world. A mother-of-pearl and ebony single butterfly joyfully dances amongst a meadow-like flower arrangement.

I have been assembling the Service Rousseau by Félix Bracquemond over the years, and the characters of insects, fish and poultry, especially the tureens, have never failed to amuse the table at dinner parties.

From day two of the sale, I would highlight the powerful presence of Otto Schulz’s relief-panelled cabinet in the Swedish Grace style, and especially the symbolically charged Georg Jensen pair of pomegranate candelabra.

I absolutely love the suite of Harald Nielsen for Georg Jensen salt and pepper shakers, and I adore the smoky-coloured streamlined vase by Pierre d’Avesn.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 14 & Wednesday 15 April 2026, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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Dreweatts Newbury, Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE

Sunday 12 April: 10am-3pm
Monday 13 April: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 14 April: 9am-4pm
Wednesday 15 April: 9am-1pm (Modern Design & Decorative Art only)

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