Bonhams is delighted to be including a specially commissioned Wemyss Pig – named Hamish – as part of their annual Scottish Sale which, this year, will be held in Edinburgh between 18-21 August. The so-called “Homecoming Pig” has been named in recognition of the Homecoming Scotland campaign, and all proceeds from the sale will be donated to Marie Curie Cancer Care to fund Marie Curie Nurses who working in the community to provide end-of-life care, totally free for patients in their own homes.
Designed by Wemyss potter, Brian Adams, the unusually large pig (some 45cm long) has a unique painted design which represents Scotland’s global reach. At the heart of the emblematic thistle and alongside Scotland’s Saltire are the national flags of the five countries to which Scots have traditionally emigrated: the USA, Canada, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand all tethered by a piece of specially-designed Homecoming tartan. On its base, the pig is inscribed “Celebrating Homecoming Scotland, 2009”.
It has been agreed that Marie Curie Cancer Care will receive the proceeds from this lot which is estimated at £400-600 – though such an extraordinary piece in honour of such a fine cause could see this pig flying! In recognition of such a worthy charity, Bonhams has agreed to waive all fees usually incurred by the vendor with the full hammer price gifted to Marie Curie Cancer Care. Costs of the pig’s production have been fully sponsored by law firm Morton Fraser, whose private client team worked closely with Bonhams’ own former Head of Valuations, Neil Froggatt. Neil’s premature death at the age of just 47 was mourned earlier in the year.
The piece is likely to excite specialist Wemyss collectors as well as patriots of Scottish descent and the 19th August sale is expected to attract significant international interest. The pig is a unique addition the four-day Scottish Sale held annually in Edinburgh. For the first time, Bonhams is the only auction house to be holding a specialist sale celebrating Scottish work in Scotland and there is a diverse array of lots being offered. Departments represented in the sale include ceramics, jewellery, silver, furniture, paintings, arms & armour, books & manuscripts and, for the first time in seven years, whisky.
Discussing the inclusion of Hamish the Homecoming Pig in the Scottish Sale, Ian Glennie, Head of the Asian Art and European Ceramics and Glass Department at Bonhams said: “I am delighted Hamish the Homecoming Pig is in this year’s Scottish sale. The superb craftsmanship of Brian Adam’s Wemyss Ware and this year’s buzz amongst the Scottish Diaspora should combine to create a ‘crackling’ result for charity when ‘this little piggy goes to market’. I fully expect Hamish to attract a four figure sum on auction day.”
Catalogues are published at www.bonhams.com – and may be ordered for £20 by calling 01666 502 200.
http://www.bonhams.com/scottishsale
