"I doubt anyone could determine a narrative thread through this collection, but it does show that I love all objects. I am fascinated and delighted by the endless creativity, skill and passion of humankind. I have never been a dealer who ‘sells’ his stock. I am very happy to point out what I feel is particular about a piece, or to give the fullest description and dimensions, but the thing should sell itself... and the buyer should fall in love with it!

"That said, there are a few lots in my auction – For the Love of Objects! – that if truth be told, I would be happy to see return to the bosom of my warehouse! The following aren’t necessarily those, but they are all worth pointing out."

Guy Tobin's Top Picks

No. 1

Lot 15: A matched pair of walnut and verdure tapestry upholstered armchairs, French, early 18th century | Est. £1,200-1,800 (+ fees)

"The French have always been great designers and these are a perfect amalgam of the early 18th century with the mid-20th century. Someone with a great eye reupholstered these chairs in the 50’s with tapestry fragments of the period, but added the flourish of brown silk velvet to the backs. Very chic!"

No. 2

Lot 18: A pair of weathered wrought iron koi carp fish candlesticks, mid 20th century | Est. £200-400 (+ fees)

"These came from a Spanish nightclub designed in the 1960’s. It shuttered in the 80’s and everything was locked up and forgotten. Great scale, utterly bonkers and just a bit better made than one would expect; notice the markings along their flanks."

No. 3

Lot 25: An unusual carved and painted model of a loggia, early 19th century | Est. £800-1,200 (+ fees)

"There is a Piranesi quality to this model. The screen of Tuscan order columns are flanked by heavily rusticated piers... was it a bank, a prison or a barracks? We have no idea what the building was or even if it was built. Dans son jus in all its perfection."

No. 4

Lot 37A: Oskar Bergman (Swedish 1879-1963), Smoke Signals, Pencil on paper | Est. £400-600 (+ fees)

"This is a wonderfully enigmatic little sketch. I have not found a finished canvas for this work but it could do with different glass. I would happily have this back home, but I fear a few knowledgeable souls might just spot it."

No. 5

Lot 48: Attributed to Francesco Antonio Franzoni (1734-1818), a carved marble group of fighting dogs, early 19th century | Est. £3,000-5,000 (+ fees)

"The Duchess of Devonshire had a version of this group left to her by James Lees Milne; and I have an inkling my version was the model for hers. There are probably ancient elements to the jaws and parts of the legs."

No. 6

Lot 52: λ Jacques (1926-2008) & Dani (1933-2010) Ruelland, a table lamp, circa 1960 | Est. £2,000-3,000 (+ fees)

"I was introduced to the work of Jacques and Dani Ruelland by Thomas Fritsch in Paris. Their glazes have such a lightness of touch. This table lamp is a simple shape of perfect proportion, and the pink is the perfect luminous shade."

No. 7

Lot 55: A large earthenware floor tile, probably Qin dynasty | Est. £300-500 (+ fees)

"It is so rare to see these outside of Chinese museums. This one comes from the private collection of Walter Gotell, well known for his role as General Gogol in 'The Spy who loved me'. This, combined with its rarity... what a combination!"

No. 8

Lot 118: A carved oak and walnut 'antiquarian' box, second quarter 19th century, in the manner of Richard Bridgens | Est. £800-1,200 (+ fees)

"This I would love to have back. The design is so clearly by one of the great designers of the mid-19^th century - like the Crewe Hall sofa (Lot 73) – an Antiquarian with a deep knowledge of British styles. In addition, it has a wonderful sketch by Joseph Nash tucked away inside."

No. 9

Lot 139: A carved hardwood and polychrome decorated three fold screen, by John Lockwood Kipling and Bhai Ram Singh, Mayo School of Art, Lahore, circa 1890 | Est. £1,000-2,000 (+ fees)

"There are so few Indian inspired interiors in the UK, with the exception of Osborne House’s ‘Durbar’ Room, Bagshot Park’s Billiard Room and the fantastic confection at Elveden Hall. This screen is almost certainly from Bagshot, which has the same watercolour panels by Bhai Ram Singh."

No. 10

Lot 153: A North Italian carved giltwood and polychrome painted buffet, by Gaetano Gosi (1835-92) and Angelo Querci (1838-Circa 1900), Siena, circa 1860 | Est. £1,000-1,500 (+ fees)

"I am fascinated by the small group of Tuscan furniture makers working in the Renaissance Revival manner in the mid-19^th century. Centred in Siena, their works have such a skill, flamboyance and joy."

No. 11

Lot 176: Attributed to Audoux-Minet – a pair of rope & vellum wall lanterns, mid 20th century | Est. £800-1,200 (+ fees)

"Those French again... these wall lanterns have a downplayed elegance. They have taken the basic hemp ropes of the Camargue and created a carriage lantern wall light; as such Audoux-Minet are rightly admired (and copied!). I was delighted by the work of the restorer who cleaned off much of the decades of grime that these arrived with."

No. 12

Lot 210: A George III Gothic Revival carved oak library armchair, early 19th century, in the manner of James Wyatt | Est. £3,000-5,000 (+ fees)

"This is my favourite lot in the sale. This exceptional piece of 'Gothick' furniture would have been at home in the Countess of Pomfret’s castle at 18 Arlington Street. Muscular... perfectly proportioned... it is beautifully made with completely untouched surfaces throughout. Also notice the individual profile heads to the back and legs."

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Auction Details

Tuesday 7 January, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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