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We asked British-American print designer and founder of PARTIMI, Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, to select her favourite lots from our upcoming Fine Interiors sale.
10 December 2021
London-based print designer, Eleanor Dorrien-Smith, specialises in luxury artisan lampshades through her PARTIMI studio line. Reflecting the unique and ethereal colours and textures found in art and nature, her designs are simultaneously modern and timeless and offer a striking accent to traditional interiors. Unsurprisingly, her chosen lots from our upcoming Fine Interiors sale reflect her artistic sentiments and eclectic interests.
Lot 86
A Roman marble column capital of the Corinthian order
Estimate: £5,000-7,000
My mother and grandfather are both architects so the site of a beautiful piece of classical architecture will always be something I am drawn to. For me, the weathered elements make it even more breathtaking.
Lot 564
Theophile de Bock (Dutch, 1851-1904)
'The Cottage, Evening'
Estimate: £300-500
A dreamlike scene that speaks to so many nights I have been lucky enough to spend in a rustic cottage. The rendering of the tree silhouettes are beautiful and the detail of the figure, their reflection in the water and the lone lamplight coming from the cottage are so evocative.
Lot 48
A mahogany adjustable easel, 19th century
Estimate: £300-500
If I had a dream easel this would be it. How wonderful to work with an easel from the 19th century.
Lot 704
A 19th century needlework sampler, together with two other similar examples
Estimate: £150-250
I caught my breath when I saw this sampler by 8-year-old Mary in 1845. It feels like a voice reaching out from the past. The final line "For in the alone I place my Trust" is so intriguing as it is possible she meant to stitch "thee". So does she place her trust in herself or in the divine?
Lot 487
Edward Wilkins Waite (1854-1924)
A girl by a garden gate, tending to her chickens and ducks
Estimate: £1,500-2,000
I was completely drawn to this painting because of the little figure. Her posture is just so perfect. Her feet apart, her rounded shoulders and her bent head and gaze towards the chicken in front of her. I have a feeling that chicken has caused some trouble.
The Fine Interiors auction will be held live at our Stansted Mountfitchet Auction Rooms on Tuesday 14 and Wednesday 15 December and is available for online bidding via our SwordersLive bidding platform.
For more information, please contact fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk
To find out more about Eleanor's handmade lampshades, visit PARTIMI's website or Instagram
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