Arts and Crafts From The Estate of Fiona MacCarthy

The collection of Arts and Crafts furniture below comes from the estate of Fiona MacCarthy (1940-2020) who was married to David Mellor (1930-2009), the Sheffield-based designer. MacCarthy’s background as a journalist for House and Garden magazine and the Guardian lay the foundations in her seminal biographical works on S R Ashbee, William Morris, Eric Gill and ‘Walter Gropius, Visionary Founder of the Bauhaus’ which was published in 2019. Involved across the arts, she curated exhibitions such as ‘Homespun to High-speed: British Design 1860 to 1960’ at Sheffield Museums and Art Galleries in 1979; ‘Eye for Industry: Retrospective of the Royal Designers’ at the Victoria and Albert Museum in 1986, and ‘Anarchy and Beauty, William Morris and his Legacy’ at the National Portrait Gallery in 2014.

Bedroom and Sitting Room Décor

For those looking for a bit of comfort, our sale boasts a multitude of bedroom furniture, sofas, armchairs and soft furnishings. Among the selection are a French mahogany double bed by Francois Linke, a 17th century Brussels tapestry and a mahogany armchair in the manner of Paul Saunders.

Bright Colours & Bold Patterns

Looking to inject a bit of maximalism into your interiors? There are plenty of peppy pictures, characterful carpets and vibrant veneers in the sale that are sure to stand out. Top lots include a Syrian mother-of-pearl inlaid chest of drawers, a Persian Qum carpet, and a set of botanical prints after Maria Sibylla Merian (Swiss/German, 1647-1717), from the collection of Germaine Greer.

Chinoiserie And The Influence Of Asia

Reflecting on the effect of the art of China, Japan and the East on the modern European decorative tradition, the sale boasts some fantastic lacquered, gilded and enamelled furniture and works of art, and paintings from Asia and the West. Particular highlights include a George III scarlet lacquered tripod table, a Chinese six-fold screen and a large portrait of Mary Dowie.

Country House Style

From perfectly proportioned furniture to proud portraits, there is plenty to choose from for those in favour of the country house aesthetic. Particular highlights include a diminutive oak dressing bureau and the early 18th century portrait of a lady seen here.

French and Continental Furniture, Works of Art and Pictures

Included in the sale are a variety of pieces representing the zenith of Continental craftsmanship, decoration and design, including a Louis XVI-style commode after Jean-Henri Riesener, a figural oil on canvas by Bonaventure de Bar (French, 1700-1729), and an extraordinary Louis XV-style writing table and cartonnier.

Garden & Statuary

As the warmer months approach, it is the perfect time to adorn your outdoor spaces with useful and beautiful garden items. Chief among our selection is a superlative Italian marble sculpture of Psyche in a Faint by Pietro Tenerani (1789-1869), as well as a blush terracotta fountain and a pair of bronze heads modelled after the Medici Riccardi Horse.

Lalique Glassware

Rugs & Lighting

From small fine silk rugs to large sprawling carpets, there are a wealth of well woven examples from the Middle East and Europe with which to furnish your home, such as a North-West Persian runner, as well as a large Ziegler Sultanabad and Aubusson carpets. By way of lighting, there are a variety of decorative antique and modern options, including a pair of ‘Parrot’ wall lights attributed to Maison Bagues, a pair of Gothic-style examples, and two large George III-style cut glass chandeliers.

Silver, Clocks & Objets d’Art

Among our usual strong showing of antique and decorative silver are a collection of 17th and 18th century bleeding bowls, two seal top spoons and a collection of Georgian sugar tongs. As well as this, there are numerous clocks, including a French gilt-bronze carriage clock by Paul Garnier, and a wide variety of objets d’art.

The Trevor Coldrey Collection Part 3

Trevor Coldrey, and his late wife Monica, ran the Harlequin Gallery in South East London. Since its inception, Trevor has been a keen supporter of the arts, its craftsmen and craftswomen, and has built an unrivalled collection of contemporary ceramics.

We have the third instalment of his collection that he has decided to pass on to a new generation of collectors.

Vernacular Furnishings

The characterful designs and simple construction of many vernacular furnishings can add depth, rusticity and heritage to both traditional and modern settings. Our catalogue has a plethora of charming pieces spanning over four-hundred years, such as an early 17th century oak cupboard, an unusual ash and elm Windsor chair and a French zinc bath tub.