E. March Söhne of Charlottenburg was the leading German maker of classical garden statuary in the 19th century. Impressed with makers marks 'E. MARCH SÖHNE/ CHARLOTTENBURG/ BEI BERLIN', these two 19th century figures depict Greek goddesses - the first a figure of Demeter holding a cornucopia, the other possibly Diktynna with a fisherman's net.
After the Great Exhibition of 1851, the Crystal Palace was moved and rebuilt in Sydenham, South London. The original structure was reconfigured and enlarged with side courts added. By repute, these two figures, along with others, were purchased to decorate the Greek Court where they remained until the disastrous fire that destroyed the Crystal Palace in 1936. The statuary that survived the fire was moved into the surrounding park where they were left to gradually disappear into the encroaching undergrowth. In 1957 the park was cleared for the construction of the Crystal Palace athletics centre and the surviving statuary was either sold off or disposed of.
Selling fine antique furniture has always been at the core of our business, ever since Lyon & Turnbull’s establishment in 1826. Today, our specialist Fine Furniture Auctions department conducts four auctions throughout the year both through our beautiful period saleroom in Edinburgh and via our live online auctions. Our specialists’ knowledge of furniture and the current market are essential to the overall success of sales of antique pieces spanning five centuries of design; from 17th century oak through the finest walnut, mahogany, and satinwood examples of the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods.
The Works of Art department sells a wide variety of antique items covering nearly 400 years of European and British design. Sold as part of our Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art sale series, items offered at auction range from the esoteric to those of popular appeal and include sculpture, mechanical items, textiles, decorative objects and artworks. Primarily focused on works produced during the 18th and 19th centuries, our team of specialists and consultants are able to value and advise on the current market.
douglas.girton@lyonandturnbull.com