6th Oct, 2026 10:00
Modern and Contemporary Art | to include the James Birch Collection
▲ Sir Grayson Perry RA (British, b.1960)
'Saint Diana (Let them Eat Shit)', 1984
mixed media sculpture
22cm wide, 20cm deep, 38cm high
Footnote:Exhibited: James Birch Fine Art, King's Road, London, 'Grayson Perry Ceramics and Sculpture' (Grayson's debut solo exhibition), 14 December 1984 - 20 January 1985;
The Holburne Museum, Bath, 'Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years', 24 January 2020 - 3 January 2021, touring to York Art Gallery, 28 May 2021 - 5 September 2022 and the Sainsbury Centre, Norwich, 19 September 2021 - 30 January 2022.
Literature: Catrin Jones (ed.) and Chris Stephens (ed.), 'Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years', published by Thames and Hudson Ltd., 2020, ill. p. 72.
'This work was in Grayson's first show at my King's Road gallery in 1984. This exhibition was a really interesting mix of Grayson’s works, including sculptures and ceramics. It was nearly a sell-out show. This work was very popular at the exhibition and was bought. I later bought it from auction and was happy to have it back in my care.'
- James Birch
'I was at once fascinated and repulsed by the cult of Princess Diana that flowered in the years after her marriage to Prince Charles. This reliquary is crafted from detritus scavenged from round our squat and pottery sherds found mudlarking on the Thames foreshore. It is in the form of a miniature coronation chair…My miniature throne come commode houses a sacred turd. Perhaps inspired by Piero Manzoni’s 'Artist’s Shit' (1961), I had tried to encase one of my own faeces in a block of resin, which ended in a smelly mess, so I made a fake one out of ceramic.'
- Grayson Perry ('Grayson Perry: The Pre-Therapy Years', Sainsbury Centre, 19 September 2021 - 30 January 2022, exhibition guide).
Please note that this lot has been promised for a major exhibition scheduled for 2028.
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Grayson Perry and the Neo-Naturists
Browse the selection of 'Grayson Perry and the Neo-Naturists' lots featured in our 6-7 October 'Modern and Contemporary Art | to include the James Birch Collection' auction.
£40,000 - £60,000
Buyer's premium: 32.40% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
Artist's Resale Right may apply to this lot
Condition Report
Light surface dust and dirt to surface and crevices. A little cracking around the ceramic fragments used for the base. Cracking to the fabric used for the seat and back of the throne. Minor chips and losses to the painted surfaces. For additional images please contact the department.
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Auction: Modern and Contemporary Art | to include the James Birch Collection, 6th Oct, 2026
Viewing
VIEWING
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 2 October, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 4 October, 10am - 1pm
Monday 5 October, 10am - 4pm
Tuesday 6 October, 10am - 4pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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