Amongst the furniture, a dining table and chairs, a sideboard and two glazed cabinets by eponymous Cotswold-based designer Edward Barnsley which date back to 1958 carry estimates of £1,500 to £6,000. These sit alongside pieces from other big names in 20th century design such as Charles and Ray Eames, Angelo Lelli, Gordon Russell, Pierre Paulin and Ernest Race.
The stalwarts of British design continue to be represented throughout the ceramics section, with two original 1937 Boat Race bowls by Eric Ravilious for Wedgwood. The Boat Race design is regarded as Ravilious’ most highly-sought after design for Wedgwood, indeed such was its popularity that it was reissued in both 1975 and again in 1986, with original 1930’s examples rarely available on the open market. These have estimates of £1,000 - £2,000 each.
Sculptures in the sale include two life-size nudes by modern-day American artist Victor Issa, these are set to make between £2,000 - £4,000, whilst for pieces by St Ives-based deconstructive sculptor from the 1960s, William Black, are offered with more modest prices between £200 and £600. There is also a bronze of Two Sisters by mid-20th century Austrian sculptor Georg Ehrlich which has an estimate of £2,000-3,000.
Amongst the paintings, there is a collection of forty pictures from Yorkshire-based businessman and philanthropist, Roger Moss OBE. Featuring works by the likes of David Bomberg, Sir Stanley Spencer, John Piper, George Chapman and Sheila Fell, this collection is a compilation of some of the most popular names in 20th century British art. The highlight of the collection is a picture by British artist, David Bomberg (1890 – 1957) who is widely cited as one of the most successful artists who studied at the Slade School of Art under Henry Tonks. It features a scene of clown and dancers from Bomberg’s famed Ghetto Theatre Series. It carries an estimate of £3,000 - £4,000.
Martin Millard, Director, Cheffins, says: “This sale always throws up some interesting pieces from collections across the country and the September sale is no different, featuring some of the biggest names in 20th century art and design such as Edward Barnsley, Eric Ravilious and Georg Ehrlich. 20th century furniture, artworks and ceramics are all experiencing buoyant markets as this period remains at the forefront of many collectors’ agendas. Buyers in these genres tend to be a mix of collectors, interior designers and dealers, all of whom are looking to capitalise on interest in items from throughout the 20th century which increasingly appear to be very much a part of modern-day tastes.”
Auction: The Art & Design Sale – 17th September 2020
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk