With nearly 2000 lots to be sold over three days, there is plenty of treasure to discover at Tennants’ Autumn Catalogue Sale 20, 21 & 22 November
Each department is proud to offer items of beauty and interest. Many pieces have a story to tell, as with Thomas Whitcombe’s (c.1752-c.1824) oil of the Battle of the Saintes, 12th April 1782, the surrender of the Ville de Paris Est. £35,000-40,000 (Lot 910). Whitcombe was the war correspondent of his day and nobody contributed more to recording the naval side of the French Revolutionary Wars. The Battle of the Saintes, took place over four days, 9-12 April 1782, during the American Revolutionary War, and was a victory for the British Fleet.
Works of Art are well represented and there is much to intrigue and amuse. Lot 533 an Austro-Hungarian silver nef, or ship centrepiece, circa 1900, Est. £4000-6000 is a fine example of quality craftsmanship as is the novelty silver taperstick modelled as a parrot by James Charles Edington, London 1852, Est. £1000-1500. A wide range of oriental items, ceramics and glassware is also available.
Luxurious jewellery for all pockets always draws a crowd at Tennants and with pieces by Cartier, Faberge and Giuliano, there are some natural treasures from the deep; lustrous pink-cream South Sea pearls in a two row necklace with diamond set clasp (lot 417, Est. £1200-1500).
Another maritime item is lot 1521, a Mahogany Eight Day Marine Chronometer, signed Victor Kullberg, circa 1905, Est. £5000-8000. Unusually this item comes complete with copy type script archive material which confirms it was used by the Indian Admiralty.
Taxidermy and Natural History have always enjoyed success at Tennants and this sale is fortunate to features items from the John Willett Deer and Trophy Head Collection. The collection was inspired by Willett’s work as a photographer and cameraman and featured eight hundred specimens at its peak. Tennants is pleased to be selling the main residual collection.
Fine Art and Antique sales at Tennants are a great place to discover unusual pieces for any budget or interior. The exotic Moorish style Italian Walnut, ebonised and bone inlaid desk (lot 1666 Est. £1000-1500) is a particularly striking item as is the ammonite (lot 1331 Est. £80-120) which impresses with its age (124.5-112 million years) and architectural lines. Another unusual item is the controversial Coco de Mer shell, lot 1375, Est. £200-300. Commonly known as the Seychelles Nut it was believed by early sailors to resemble a woman’s buttocks. This example features an interesting pattern of ebonised inlay and is of ethnographic interest.
For any further information please contact 01969 623780 or visit; www.tennants.co.uk