Famous collection, sale.

[jocelyn plummer]

On September 18th 19th 2013, Christies will be offering for sale the complete collection of a celebrated collector and Architect. See page 102 September issue Homes and Antiques, or check out Christies for those dates. Significant changes afoot in my local Town.

 

[DJH]

This link may be of interest...


http://www.christies.com/about/press-center/releases/pressrelease.aspx?pressreleaseid=6584

Doug

 

[LadyArowana]

I wonder if he had any elephants?

 

[DJH]

He had some books, a bit on expensive for me though and a couple of lead busts... right up my street. John Cheere though so they'll go for a bob or two. Wonder if I could borrow them for a day or so.

Doug

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Try the carved ivory model of the Hazarduari Palace in Murshidabad complete with 1000 doors, or the pair of busts of Palladio--it seems that he was very astute in saying 'my house is my yardstick, the measuring scale by which I contemplate the past and assess the future'--!! Lovely collection and I dread to think what the house looks like emptied of all its treasures. That's the worry, what will become of it?

 

[JoceAndChris]

What a terrible shame it wasn't bought by NT or EH - or kept a private collection but open to the public. But perhaps it isn't a suitable house for hordes of visitors? It will surely stay in the family though? Or be bought by a millionaire I guess, who will treasure its associations?

Auction way out of our league I'm afraid, but wonderful things.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

The house and collection could be viewed, about once or twice a year by private arrangement. I presume that NT or EH would have had to take into consideration the infrastructure of the Town, which most certainly cannot support the possibilities of 'hordes of visitors'-- even one private party arriving in a coach would cause a problem. A far cry from Queen Mary's visit many years ago, where she is seen walking down the steps of the house towards her awaiting car--the only car on the road at the time!!! Oh well, time will tell!

 

[JoceAndChris]

Pity I didn't get to see it

But I can't believe there aren't ways round the town centre location/lack of parking issues. A lot of people don't mind a 15 minute walk or so to get to see something really special - no coaches up to Dennis Severs' house, or Plas Mawr in Conway, or a thousand other town centre attractions. You can't help but conclude that the grandson just wants the highest price for his treasures, understandably capitalist, I'd probably do the same, but a great loss to the interested public.

 

[LadyArowana]

Perhaps there were also issues regarding making the property itself appropriate for larger numbers of visitors as well as getting an ongoing group of voluteers or paid docents/ curators/ security staff. It must be quite a significant undertaking to put all those necessary things in place. It is a shame though.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

He's far from being capitalist-- quite the reverse in fact!

Our Town is struggling to get the locals to accept the concept of an additional car park just five minutes down the road!! Mind you, that does involve a walk along a very narrow pavement with absolutely no possibility of widening.!

 

[DJH]

.......... docents...............

You had me stumped with that word your ladyship... I looked it up and know what it means.

Doug

 

[LadyArowana]

.......... docents...............

You had me stumped with that word your ladyship... I looked it up and know what it means.

Doug

I think it's maybe a more common term in the US. The museums in Singapore also use it to refer the volunteer guides, which is why I know it. Quite a few of my friends have done their training and take people on tours of the various collections. My main interest is Japanese textiles though, so I just volunteer with the special interest group of Textile Enthusiasts.

 

[Keithj]

I've never seen the word "docent" in England, but quite a few US museums that I've visited have had folks with badges saying that's what they are. All have proved knowledgeable, friendly and helpful - definitely an asset to the places.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

This months World's Interiors magazine has a fantastic review of Avenue House Ampthill which was the home of Sir Albert Richardson.

 

[LadyArowana]

Just updating this thread as a pdf of the catalogue is now available online. http://christies.scene7.com/s7/broc...set&locale=en&image=Christies/CKS1186_SaleCat The auction lot listing is not live yet though.

 

[Nigel Watts]

Interesting collection of stuff, and some very elegantly furnished interiors, but I don't see it being quite in the league which would merit EH or NT intervention. It feels a bit like the private collection of an antique dealer or an interior decorator.

This, on the other hand, is very exciting:

http://www.theguardian.com/artanddesign/2013/aug/18/hidden-mural-william-morris-house

I like the comment "Basically every white surface in the house is suspect – there will be colour underneath it" - a thought I have always had when look at the interior photos in architecture books.

 

[JoceAndChris]

Lots of things I'd like to bid on - the naval officer's sword with the bicorn hat, the dining table, the mirror with verre eglomise and military emblems, some paintings - and now the Leeds house has at last sold it's tempting - but I can't believe the things will go for those low estimates.

Nice to get some detailed pics of the house in the catalogue.

 

[DJH]

The catalogue alone would suit me... it's my birthday soon if anyone wants to give me something. :wink:

Doug

PS those lead figures need some repairs.

 

[jocelyn plummer]

Having known the house so well over the past 40 years it is very strange to see it all catalogued. Time really did stand still in there, even down to the bottle of madeira standing on the hall table ( just visible in the magazine picture) a glass of which one was invited to partake at 6 pm--- must of course be gone by 6.50 pm at the latest !!! Also some wonderful Christmas Eve drinks, front door opened by the maid attired in black dress and white pinafore, and being shown to the salon which was illuminated by the candle lit chandelier!

Ah well, time to close the front door and move on--I shall watch some of the sale online and then await news of the future of the house, now stripped back of it's artefacts. I think it will stand the test of time.

 

[Gareth Hughes]

For those of us who are unable to afford most of the Christie's stuff (although there's one painting I desperately want, together with a drawing desk, seat and instruments), the "residue of the contents" (ie Professor Richardson's underpants, and possibly some more desirable items) is being sold in Cambridge in November. Might be worth popping along to see they've missed a Canaletto or two.