A series of charming watercolours depicting life on a prosperous Essex farmstead in the Victorian era come for sale at Sworders this month.
9 March 2022
The album of evocative images showing scenes from Rollestone Farm was created by the amateur artist and poet Mary Ann Alexander (1815-1913), the daughter of an Ipswich banker. She titled it simply 'My Homes and Friends'.
Mary Ann Alexander was born in 1815 at Goldrood House, Belstead into a prominent Quaker family. Her father was Samuel Alexander, a partner in the banking business Alexander & Co., of Ipswich.
Goldrood House (now part of St Joseph’s College) remained the family home in the mid 19th century and Mary had recorded her life there in similar ways, painting a volume of drawings and poems now known as The Goldrood Book.
Sworders’ album 'My Homes and Friends' similarly depicts the daily goings-on at the Rollestone Farm where the Alexanders moved in the 1850s. The 21 watercolour views, painted in Mary’s naïve but observant style, include the farmhouse, the garden with gardener and children, a farm wagon unloading in a barn; room interiors complete with the latest in fashionable furniture and china; bee skeps in a summer garden and cheesemaking in a dairy with its racks of blue and white pottery. They are accompanied by a 22-page handwritten account by Mary, including stanzas of poetry, that is dated September 1864'.
This fine example of East Anglian social history will be offered for sale in the Fine Interiors auction on March 22-23 with a guide of £800-1200.
An architect of social imagination; Frederick Soulacroix (1858–1933) crafted images that reflected the aspirations and anxieties of a rapidly changing world, exploring cultural ideals and social class. A selection of these exquisite paintings will be offered in our 28 May Old Master, British & European Art auction.
6 May 2025
We are delighted to support the St Mary’s Church Restoration Appeal with a special valuation day on Saturday, 5 July 2025. Our team will be available to help you uncover the value of your items, all while raising vital funds for the church’s restoration efforts.
1 May 2025
We are proud to announce that Red Kite Support has been selected as our Charity of the Year for 2025. The decision was made following a company-wide vote, with Red Kite Support emerging as the top choice among our employees.
1 May 2025