Christie’s London sale of Chieveley House, Berkshire and Five Private Collections on 19 March features a curated selection of works from six private collections from the UK and Europe.
With interiors designed by the likes of David Hicks, Maison Jansen and Colefax and Fowler and ranging from country houses to city apartments, the delectable trove of 301 lots spans English and European furniture, ceramics and glass, silver, Modern British art, Old Master paintings and Chinese and Islamic works of art.
Chieveley House, Berkshire: The Property of Mr and Mrs Nicholas Stanley (lots 1-99)
A Pair Of George III Ormolu-mounted Fluorspar And Marble Corinthian Columns, Attributed To Matthew Boulton, Circa 1770 | Estimate: £20,000 – £30,000
Charles Cator, Deputy Chairman, Christie’s International notes: “If anyone was asked to describe the perfect English manor house I am sure they would conjure up a house that looks almost exactly like Chieveley House, a perfectly proportioned Queen Anne house.
Its owners Nicholas and Elodie Stanley, working with interior designer John McCall, have devoted their considerable taste and energy to creating a magical and charming home for their family and friends.
Highlights include a pair of George III ormolu-mounted fluorspar and marble Corinthian columns, attributed to Matthew Boulton, circa 1770 (estimate: £20,000-30,000), along with quirky lots such as an English cream-painted model of the George V facade of Buckingham Palace, first half 20th century (estimate: £1,000-2,000).
Works of Art from The Collection of The Late Professor Michael Jaffe (lots 214 – 266)
A George IV Mahogany And Caned Bergere Circa 1820, In The Manner Of Gillows | Estimate: £2,000 – £4,000
Born into a family of collectors Jaffe (1923-1997) was Director of the Fitzwilliam Museum, Cambridge from 1973-1990. Forward-thinking, under his tenure the Fitzwilliam Museum Trust was established and he made touring exhibitions to the US and Japan possible, putting the Fitzwilliam and its collection on an international stage.
His many students at Cambridge University included Nicholas Serota, the future Director of the Tate Gallery, and the sculptor Antony Gormley. He was also responsible for major art-historical discoveries including the identification of Van Dyck’s Antwerp Sketchbook at Chatsworth. Jaffe’s academic reach was such that the October 1991 Burlington Magazine contained various tribute essays to him and his varied achievements in art history and museology.
Highlights include a New Zealand Specimen native wood parquetry occasional table by Anton Seuffert, circa 1870 (estimate: £5,000-10,000) and a George IV mahogany and caned bergere circa 1820, in the manner of Gillows (estimate: £2,000-4,000).
A New Zealand Specimen Native Wood Parquetry Occasional Table By Anton Seuffert, Circa 1870 | Estimate: £5,000 – £10,000
The Collection of The Late Lord and Lady John Cholmondeley: A David Hicks Interior (lots 267-301)
Peter Struycken (b. 1939), Structure, Estimate: £1,000 – £1,500
Interior Designer, Ashley Hicks comments: “Twenty years ago the late, lovely Melissa Wyndham said to me ‘You do know Cristina Cholmondeley lives in a sort of David Hicks museum, don’t you?’ so I went to have a look and sure enough, absolutely nothing had changed since 1965 when my father created this wonderfully stylish duplex apartment overlooking Hyde Park.
It was a little faded here and there, but the rooms were exactly as photographed for French-style bible L’Oeil 35 years before. Cristina had sold a big Hockney to pay for a new Hicks carpet, the old one having worn out, but kept everything else. I went back there last year and took some final photographs of the place, picturesquely faded, but still ineffably chic after 54 years.” Highlights include Structure by Peter Struycken (estimate: £1,000-1,500) and an upholstered hall-seat by David Hicks, circa 1965, reupholstered to the original scheme, offered together with a square low table (estimate: £2,000-3,000).
An Upholstered Hall-seat By David Hicks, Circa 1965, Re-upholstered To The Original Scheme | Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000
Further highlights from The Collection of Baroness Carmen Thyssen-Bornemisza (lots 100-123); Property From a Distinguished Private European Collection (lots 124-198) and Property From a Hampstead Private Collection (lots 199-213) include:
A Pair Of Chinese Turquoise-glazed Buddhist Lions, 18th/19th Century | Estimate: £6,000 – £10,000 A French Ormolu And Glass Low Table By Maison Jansen, Circa 1970 | Estimate: £3,000 – £5,000 An Alpine Parcel-gilt And Polychrome-painted Sleigh, 19th Century, Possibly Tyrol | Estimate: £2,000 – £3,000 A Chinese Cloisonne Enamel Tripod Censer, A Cover, And A Bronze Stand, 19th Century | Estimate: £15,000 – £20,000 A Pair Of Large Japanese Imari Porcelain Jars And Covers, Fitted As Lamps, The Porcelain Edo Period (Late 17th Century) | Estimate: £3,000 – £5,000 A Pair Of George III Giltwood Armchairs, Circa 1775 | Estimate: £2,500 – £4,000
