Auctions | July 25, 2017

Bonhams Knightsbridge to Showcase Upcoming Auction Highlights in August

This August, Bonhams Knightsbridge will showcase highlights from its autumn and winter auctions. The exhibition will run from Tuesday 1 August to Friday 1 September inclusive, Monday - Friday, 9.00am - 5.00pm. It will be closed on Monday 28 August for the Bank Holiday.

The exhibition of exceptional works of art include:

A very rare pair of 18 inch Coronelli globes dated 1696 by the Venetian cosmographer and cartographer Vincenzo Coronelli, who made globes for, among other important figures, Louis XIV of France. They will be offered in the Important Instruments of Science and Technology Sale, 31 October. Estimate: £100,000-150,000.

A collection of items relating to Admiral Lord Nelson, including a Chamberlain's Worcester Fine Old Japan pattern plate from Nelson's service (£25,000-30,000). The Admiral commissioned the service on a visit to Worcester in 1802, but it was unfinished at the time of his death in 1805. He bequeathed it to his paramour, Emma, Lady Hamilton who was not amused to also receive the bill. Also on show will be Nelson’s armchair from H.M.S. Victory, a gift from Lady Hamilton (£30,000-50,000). Both the armchair and the plate will be offered in the Marine Sale at Knightsbridge,18 October.

The large bronze sculpture ‘Perseus Arming’ by Sir Alfred Gilbert, one of several versions created by the artist of his famous statue of the same name now in Tate Britain. It will be offered for sale in Bonhams Important Design Sale at New Bond Street on 25 October and is estimated at £40,000-60,000.

Managing Director of Bonhams Knightsbridge, Jon Baddeley said, “We have a number of exceptional auctions at Knightsbridge over the coming six months. Our August preview can include only a small fraction of the rare and important things we have to offer, but it will give a fascinating insight into what’s on the horizon.”

Other highlights include:

The Castillo de San Juan de Ulúa, Veracruz, Mexico by the British landscape painter Thomas Egerton (1797-1842) to be offered in the Travel and Exploration Sale in Knightsbridge on 7 February 2018. Egerton spent much of the latter part of his life in Mexico, where he and his eight-month pregnant teenage lover were mysteriously murdered in 1842. (£200,000-300,000). The painting will be on display until 18 August.
An important unrecorded London Delftware puzzle jug, Pickleherring Quay pottery, circa 1649-51 in the Fine Glass and British Ceramics Sale at Knightsbridge on 15 November (£15,000-25,000).
A wonderfully evocative depiction of the battle of Trafalgar, Oak, Hemp, and Powder, Trafalgar, 1805 by Charles Edward Dixon in the Marine Sale at Knightsbridge on 18 October (£20,000-30,000).
A screen-used costume made for David Bowie as Jareth the Goblin King, in the 1986 cult film Labyrinth. Bowie also provided music for the soundtrack. To be offered in the Entertainment Memorabilia Sale in Knightsbridge, on 13 December (£20,000-30,000).
A striking red Poissons vase by the French glass designer and maker René Lalique. The highly successful and influential Poissons series was introduced in 1921, and this example is estimated at £12,000-15,000. It will appear in the Decorative Art and Design Sale on 26 September
A German Enigma Machine built in 1933. A rare example of the cypher machines used by the German military to transmit secret information. The work of Alan Turing in breaking the German code is said to have shortened World War II by several years and saved countless lives. Estimated at £60,000-80,000 it will be offered in the Important Instruments of Science and Technology Sale, 31 October.