LONDON – A painting belonging to children’s author Enid Blyton will go under the hammer in an interiors sale at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions’ Donnington Priory saleroom on May 20-21 alongside a diverse and eclectic mix of furniture and works of art. Day One will include Asian and European ceramics, clocks and paintings with Day 2 focusing on furniture, rugs and works of art.

LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.

Anemones, by Marion L. Bloom (1878-1962), was owned by Blyton, whose bestsellers include the Famous Five, Secret Seven and Malory Towers series.

The painting is accompanied by A Childhood at Green Hedges, an autobiography by Blyton’s daughter, Imogen Smallwood, which describes Bloom’s work; “ … above the cases of flowers, were flower paintings. My mother particularly liked Marion Broom, and her anemones … ”

The current owner, who inherited the work, has a letter from Blyton’s daughter to say that it was owned by her mother. It is estimated at £300-500 [lot 253].

Quirky, collectible and sure to attract attention on day two are a collection of Black Forest carved and stained wood works of art, including a stereoscopic viewer, circa 1900. Black Forest wares were produced in Switzerland in the late 19th and early 20th century as luxury and novelty items aimed primarily at wealthy tourists, typically depicting bears and other majestic wild animals. This unusual carved stereoscopic viewer is accompanied by viewing cards detailing grand tour views of Rome, Venice, Pompeii and other Italian sites as well as a guide manual for the cards, Italy Through the Stereoscope, 1903, by D.J. Ellison D.D. It is estimated at £500-£800 [Lot 505].

Additional auction highlights:

– Pair of 19th century blue and white beaker vases each of cylindrical form with splayed base and everted mouth, loosely decorated with trailing vines,  23.6cm, (9.44 inches) [lot 35]. Estimate: £2,500-£3,500.

– Pair of Chinese famille rose Canton enamel vases of baluster shape, decorated with panels depicting figures engaging in leisurely pursuits, 37.3cm (14.92 inches) [lot 60]. Estimate: £1,200-£1,800.

– A cream painted 20th century parcel gilt and marble mounted side cabinet in early 19th century style [lot 350]. Estimate: £700-£1,000.

– A French patinated bronze and marble mounted Bacchic group of a maiden and a putto, after Claude Michel, last quarter 19th century. The maiden is portrayed as seated on a rocky outcrop and scantily draped. The nude putto is standing to her left and leaning across her lap to watch a pair of doves. The naturalistically cast base with a tambourine overflowing with grapes is inscribed “CLODION” on the reverse, 34cm (13.6 inches) high overall [lot 586]. Estimate: £800-£1,200.

– An oak extending dining table, late 19th-early 20th century, in the manner of Sir Robert Lorimer, with an additional leaf insertion, the circular top above a dentil-decorated frieze and downswept square section supports and stretchers, the central pedestal dividing when the table is extended. Reputed to have belonged to Ivor Novello [lot 687]. Estimate: £400-£600.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE