Oil on canvas titled ‘Home from the Market, Venice’ by the Austrian-born artist, Eugen Alfons von Blaas. Estimate: £50,000-£70,000 ($78,300-$109,600). Roseberys image
LiveAuctioneers.com will provide Internet live bidding.
The auction features a magnificent oil on canvas entitled Home from the Market, Venice, by the Austrian-born artist Eugen Alfons von Blaas. Also known as Eugene von Blaas, Eugen de Blaas, Eugene de Blaas and Eugenio de Blaas, Von Blaas was born in 1843, the son and student of the Austrian painter and scholar Karl von Blaas. He and his family moved to Italy from Austria when his father accepted a post as professor at the Academy of Venice. As a young man von Blaas aligned himself with the academic classic school, establishing himself as a leading painter of the Venetian genre and gaining acclaim for his colorful and theatrical scenes of daily life in his hometown of Venice.
Painting in the realist and romantic styles his work has had a particular appeal to collectors throughout the 19th, 20th and 21st centuries. Von Blaas is known to have exhibited widely with 12 works shown at the Royal Academy between 1875 and 1891.
Thought to be part of the permanent exhibition titled “Largest Collection of Modern Works in Painting and Sculpture in the National Association of Artists, Florence” in 1928, this stunning artwork is estimated to sell for £50,000–£70,000 [Lot 588].
Elsewhere in the sale, a selection of 16 large-scale paintings and studies, created exclusively for a corporate collection by the contemporary artist Andrew Hewkin M.A., draw inspiration from the artist’s extensive world travel.
Over the 40 years Hewkin has been painting he has encapsulated the people and landscapes of nearly 70 countries in his works. His ability to capture a moment, and the vibrancy of his artwork, has ensured he is collected widely by private buyers and public institutions alike. Commissions by international companies include Cartier, British Airways and Baring Securities, and his work hangs in the private collections of celebrities such as David Bowie, Brian May, Jack Nicolson, Sir Michael Caine and the Royal Family.
His unique style draws on the principles of pop culture and abstraction to create modern, surreal and captivating paintings. In the suite of works featured in the sale he draws on influences from the East, predominantly experienced on his travels in Japan and the Far East, and infuses elements of Western art from the last century.
The fusion is illustrated in the painting, Osaka Serendipity, Japan, where influences of the Dutch artist Piet Mondrian are noticeable both in elements of composition and color. A modern twist on the traditional European still life and landscape, the painting is estimated to sell for £1,000–£1,500 [Lot 758].
Operating at the forefront of the contemporary pop art scene contemporary British artist Stuart Semple adds a dynamic touch to the sale with the mixed technique artwork Stars Under Your Feet. Semple draws on popular culture as well as the techniques of pop art and layered abstraction to produce thought provoking art that communicates clear social, cultural and political messages about the fears of the current generation.
Best known for his 2009 installation Happy Clouds, which saw the artist release smiley-faced clouds into the sky over Tate Modern, Semple also has works in some of the world’s largest and most influential collections including the Getty, David Roberts, Niarchos and Langen Foundations. In addition his paintings hang in the private collections of some of the UK’s most interesting celebrities, such as Debbie Harry, Sienna Miller, Uri Geller and Noel Gallagher.
Signed and dated ’05 by the artist, this painting is estimated to sell for £4,000–£6,000 [Lot 608].
The aforementioned 18th century Imperial cloisonné enamel hatbox comes to auction from a Dorset manor house. The item has been in a family with strong diplomatic connections since the 1920s. The box was originally made during the 18th century, known as being the most prolific period for cloisonné production in China. Crafted through a process of firing glass to create vitreous enamel, which is placed within a wire framework, the object is then fired again in a kiln to produce the finished cloisonné piece.
This opulent example is decorated with a central flower enclosed within bands of stylised scrolling foliage, bats and clouds. As with many other examples of Chinese artwork from the period, bats are included to symbolize happiness, joy and good fortune, and the clouds are an auspicious symbol meaning longevity and good fortune. The wooden frame for the box is thought to be constructed from zitan, a rare red sandalwood derived from a slow-growing tree, which makes it a sought-after commodity for furniture.
A highly desirable piece, this stunning box carries an estimate of £15,000–£20,000 [Lot 1578].
From the same private UK collection is an equally rare Chinese red cinnabar lacquer quatrefoil music box and cover, from the same private UK collection, and also from the 18th century. The common ore of mercury, Cinnabar is most popularly known for its use in Chinese lacquerware, the process of carving art from layered lacquer. Made popular during the Song dynasty, it was used widely throughout Asian countries including Japan and Korea.
The lacquer is produced from the resin of the rhus verniciflua trees found in southern China.
Recognized by its striking red color, which intensifies during the layering process, this deeply carved box is decorated with figures in a landscape and animals including deer and herons. Inside is a gold four-character Chinese mark which translates to “Precious Music Box.” A rare and interesting piece, the box is estimated to sell for £10,000–£15,000 [Lot 1577].
From a private London collection, a large-scale Ming Dynasty archaistic ritual vessel has remained unseen for the past 100 years. Originally created as depositories for grave goods to be buried in the graves of Chinese dignitaries and royalty, these vessels were later used in ritual offerings of food and drink to ancestors. They were typically designed to be larger than normal vessels for eating and drinking to exemplify the scale of the offering to their ancient relatives. This particular example stands 42cm high, and is estimated at £3,000–£5,000 [Lot 1441].
Perfect for that unique last-minute present, the auction has a fine selection of brooches, watches and single and multiple stone rings to add a touch of sparkle to Christmas morning.
One of the most popular and enduring periods of jewelry design Art Deco pieces capture the vibrancy and playfulness of an era on the cusp of social and economic turbulence. Throughout the Art Deco period jewelry design continued to be both innovative and glamorous, encompassing geometric forms and bold colors that influenced designers throughout the 1940s and ’50s, to the present day. Diamonds were extremely popular, and the double clip brooch being sold by Roseberys is a stunning example of the fine artistry that brings life and movement to Art Deco jewelry. This stunning item is estimated to sell for £6,000–£9,000 [Lot 213].
Being sold alongside the brooch is an impressive 1950s platinum and diamond set ladies cocktail watch by the iconic Swiss watchmaker, Jaeger LeCoultre. The brand synonymous with luxury is known for pioneering the emergence of ladies wristwatches during the early 19th century, bringing together the Jaeger LeCoultre caliber with embellishments from the finest engravers, enamelers and gem-setters.
This beautiful example of fine craftsmanship comprises a circular face and bracelet strap set with brilliant cut diamonds and is estimated to sell for £3,000–£5,000 [Lot 206].
ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE
Oil on canvas titled ‘Home from the Market, Venice’ by the Austrian-born artist, Eugen Alfons von Blaas. Estimate: £50,000-£70,000 ($78,300-$109,600). Roseberys image Spectacular platinum and diamond set Art Deco double clip brooch, circa 1940s. The brooch splits so form two separate clips. Estimate: £6,000-£9,000 ($9,396-$14,094). Roseberys image Imperial cloisonné enamel hatbox, 18th century. Estimate: £15,000–£20,000 ($23,490-$31,320). Roseberys image Rare Chinese red cinnabar lacquer quatrefoil music box and cover, 18th century. Estimate: £10,000- £15,000 ($15,660-$23,4900). Roseberys image
