Fine art, antiques and jewellery are hitting the auction block in UK house Martel Maides’ forthcoming auction, to be held from 2pm on 26 June to 10am on 27 June.
A vast range of collectables – from fine art and ceramics to statues, jewellery, watches, stamps, furniture and more – will be made available. Each piece comes with a unique history and story to tell, and with nearly 1,000 on offer the stories are endless. Let’s not waste any time and dive in to explore a few select pieces.
This pair of early-19th-century carved and ebonised Blackamoor figures are believed to depict Aborigines. Each stands with one upraised hand holding a spear and the other resting on his hip; the finely-carved faces feature inlaid mother-of-pearl eyes, and the figures wear a short feather kilt and matching piece over the shoulders, together with a feathered headband and tasselled slippers.
The pair, which carry a rectangular quiver of arrows suspended from a strap over one shoulder, stand on carved bases, painted to stimulate marble. They were listed on the 1914 inventory of Redenham House, Nr. Andover, Hants., by Frederick Ellen & Son, Andover.
Another piece of art history, albeit in a different media and from a different part of the world, is this c. 1716 Portrait of Governor Jonathan Belcher by Early colonial American interest Richard Phillips.
The work is inscribed on the back with, "Jonathan Belcher of Boston New England. Anno AEtatis Suae [in the year of his age] 34 1/2 R Phillips pinxit 1716", painted in 1716 when Jonathan Belcher was 34 years old, it comes in original early-18th-century portrait frame (89.5 x 71.75 cm.).
This 17th-century silver parcel gilt chalice or communion cup possibly comes from the Channel Islands. It has two indistinctly struck marks to the underside of the foot.
A Philip de Veulle is recorded residing in St Clements in the 17th century, son of Clement de Veulle, one of the chief inhabitants of St Clement. His marriage in 1636 was to Marie Le Febvre, granddaughter of Jean Girard, who was a wealthy goldsmith from Montrouge, near Paris, who had taken refuge first in Guernsey in 1572 and then intermittently in Jersey during the Hugeunot persecutions from 1605-51. His daughter Marie married Amyce de Carteret, Seigneur of Trinity in 1637.
No doubt we’re all used to seeing monogrammed Louis Vuitton trunks being toted around train stations and airports, but you’re probably less familiar with this next lot: an extremely rare Louis Vuitton zinc and brass explorer’s ‘Malle Cabine’ cabin trunk, from c. 1885.
The rare zinc covered trunks manufactured by Louis Vuitton in the 1880s and were specifically designed with the requirements of intrepid travellers to hot and humid climes, where the hermetically sealed design of the zinc trunk was invaluable for keeping the contents free from water, insects and dust, as well as the usual ability of the award winning locks in keeping out thieves.
Moving onto wrist candy, this gentleman’s Rolex oyster perpetual date explorer II is from c. 1981, ref. 1655, and known as the ‘Orange Hand Steve McQueen’.
The Explorer II was launched by Rolex in 1971, featuring a special orange 24-hour hand, designed to assist cavers distinguish day from night hours. It is colloquially known as the 'Steve McQueen' after being worn by the Hollywood film star and is also known by collectors as 'Il Freccione'.
We end this short and sweet selection with a piece for music lovers: a fine violin bow, stamped E. Sartory. It has a Paris gold mounted back and front ring, headplate, ferrule and Parisian ring surrounding mother of pearl eyes and slide. It measured 74.25 cm in length.
As a reminder, Martel Maides’ auction closes on 27 June at 10am, so be sure to take a look at their full catalogue in order to enjoy all the unique splendours on offer.
Discover all items at Martel Maides here
Cover image: Louis Vuitton monogram via Pinterest
