A good pair of 19th century emerald and diamond earrings, circa 1820, each emerald set in unmarked 18ct gold and surrounded by fourteen set old mine cut diamonds with milgrain edges in silver, surmounted by a single diamond. Each emerald 2.5ct, diamond total weight 2ct approximately.
about Lot 96
A 19th century carved and painted wood butcher's shop diorama, the visible area 40 x 60cm, in the original mahogany framed case, the whole 50.5cm high x 71.5cm wide x 19.5cm deep.
about Lot 1379
Rene Magritte, female nude with grapes, circa 1940s, two works, recto and verso, each pencil, 21 x 17.3cm, glazed to both sides.
about Lot 1565
ANNOTATED BY PETER COLLINSON, FRS (1694-1768): MARTIN (Martin): 'A Description of the Western Islands of Scotland. Containing a full account of their situation, extent, soils, product, harbours, bays, tides, anchoring places, and fisheries...': London, printed for Andrew Bell, 1703: FIRST EDITION. Large folding map of the Hebrides (neatly repaired) and folding plate of heathen temple: this copy extensively annotated by naturalist and antiquary Peter Collinson (1694-1768) over some 90 pages, with 5 pages of manuscript index and additional notes at end. He relates, for instance, the experience of General Wade, who saw an eagle kill a deer by picking out its eyes and then hovering until the deer stumbled over a precipice. He also includes information given him by Dr Walker, who visited the islands in 1765, and who conveyed to Collinson his scepticism of the reputed second sight of some islanders as well as reporting that there were 'neither wild horses or buffaloes in Scotland as Mr Buffons asserts in his nat:hist: taken from ignorant writers': title leaf cropped at upper margin, some toning and scattered spotting, occasional light waterstains but a very good copy, later full calf gilt by Kerr & Richardson of Glasgow, teg, 8vo. (1)
about Lot 51
A large pair of Chinese carved and pierced hardwood Imperial throne chairs and matching table, probably early 20th century, possibly Zitan, the chairs 104.5cm wide, the table 73cm high x 58cm square.
about Lot 1686
(HP) Circle of Jonathan Richardson, Sir Coventry Carew as a young man, with spaniel, Antony House beyond, 122 x 98cm.
about Lot 1706
A vintage copper and brass twelve bolt diver's helmet, possibly Japanese.
about Lot 1169
ELIZABETH COBBOLD: GEORGIAN CUT PAPER WORK: a remarkable album of cut-paper work, likely circa 1810-20, containing approx 45 intricately worked examples on a wide variety of subject matter, notable examples including owl: bell ringers: toll-house: monitor lizard: zebra: elephant: classical scenes: botanical groups: scene at fair with figures and animals, etc: contained in quarto album of period, the paper-cut scenes loosely inserted between the pink and plain album leaves, red morocco gilt covers with front board detached, old ownership label of Mrs A Syer of Bury St Edmunds and her inscription to upper flyleaf. Printed excerpt to same reads 'it is necessary to inform the reader, that an annual party has for many years taken place at Holy Wells, the residence of J Cobbold, Esq on the evening of St Valentine's Day: for this festive occasion Mrs Cobbold designs and executes with great taste and elegance the subject of each valentine, which is curiously cut out in half a sheet of letter paper, and appropriate lines, as above, are composed and inscribed on each; (the present year the number composed by Mrs C was 80) they are then folded precisely alike in blue paper; the ladies valentines are then placed in one basket, the gentlemen in another; and when cards or music have contributed, for an hour or two, for the amusement of the evening, the valentines are handed to the unmarried part of the company; each lady or gentleman taking one at pleasure, from any part of their respective packets. The prize is supposed to prognosticate to the person who draws it, marriage, or a matrimonial engagement in the ensuing year...' (An album)
about Lot 623
Henry Scott, 'Clipper "Wild Deer" Daylight', signed, inscribed and labelled verso, oil on canvas, 60 x 90cm.
about Lot 1645
L S Lowry, 'Industrial Scene (1974)', signed in pencil, blindstamped, colour print, I.34.5 x 24.5cm.
about Lot 1360