Dreweatts & Bloomsbury to Offer Antiques, Paintings, Books from Abbotswood
A selection of English and Asian antiques and fine paintings ranging from the 18th through to the 20th century from Abbotswood, Gloucestershire, will be offered at auction at Donnington Priory on 24th May. The auction comprises over 260 lots, featuring fine furniture, ceramics and glass, works of art and sculpture, carpets, clocks, chandeliers, Chinese works of art and books. A strong group of paintings accompanies the selected contents with works by internationally recognised artists such as Sir Alfred James Munnings, Christopher Wood and Celso Lagar.
Abbotswood is an impressive house occupying an idyllic position overlooking the Swell valley. It sits amongst formal gardens laid out when Sir Edwyn Lutyens altered the house around 1900 and looks out over parkland down to the Swell running through its beautiful valley. The consignor of the collection purchased Abbotswood from the Ferguson family in 1970 and it is to his credit that the house and gardens have been maintained in immaculate condition. This sale is testament to the collector’s love of English antiques and fine art and Abbotswood provided the perfect environment for these notable works.
Highlights of the sale include an oil-on-canvas, A Gypsy Queen, by Sir Alfred James Munnings, lot 125. The artist commented that, “Of all my painting experiences, none were so alluring and colourful as those visits spent amongst the gypsy hop-pickers in Hampshire each September. More glamour and excitement were packed in those six weeks than a painter could well contend with. I still have visions of brown faces, black hair, earrings, black hats and black skirts”. (Quoted in An Artist's Life, Sir Alfred Munnings, p.287). The present lot depicts a glamorous female with jet black hair and stunning pendant earrings and is estimated at £8,000-12,000.
Abbotswood has been lovingly and tenderly maintained by its owner for over 40 years and has provided a beautiful setting for this impressive group of works. The sale is an exciting opportunity for clients to acquire a piece of the estate’s legacy.
Image: Abbotswood, Gloucestershire
