This September's Five Centuries auction features an intriguing range of Maritime paintings and works of art - from a wonderfully detailed depiction of a Dutch Man-O-War Under Full Sail attributed to Simon de Vlieger to a prisoner of war model of a barque, a Manner of Hogarth Portrait of a Sea Captain to a Cary's Celestial Globe showing 'the whole of the stars and nebulae' and beautifully detailed works by Henry Scott.
Join us as we take a closer look at a few of the key Maritime pieces to be offered in our two-day Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art auction...
An important and influential Dutch marine painter of the 17th century, Simon de Vlieger specialised in the detailed and precise depiction of ships and the effects of light in the sky and water.
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LOT 304 | § HENRY SCOTT (BRITISH 1911-2005) | THE NIGHT WATCH
Known for his portrayal of British and American ships, Henry Scott's work focused on the atmosphere inspired by the ocean and the motion of vessels, giving his paintings movement and an overall realistic effect.
By repute, this model was acquired from a descendant of the First Keeper of the Bass Rock Lighthouse who owned it in the early part of the 20th century.
There were two prisons in Scotland that housed Napoleonic French prisoners of war: one in Edinburgh and the other in Perth. Prisoners used what materials they could acquire to build items to sell to supplement their rations. Miniature ornaments, models and toys were typically made using straw, wood, bone and even human hair. Many of the items made were extraordinary in their complexity. The bone deck fittings and figurehead on the present lot are typical of prisoner of war work, as is the inlaid baseboard.
The circular cartouche printed on the globe reads 'Carys New and improved CELESTIAL GLOBE on which is carefully laid down the whole of the stars and nebulae contained in the astronomical catalogue of the Revd. Mr Wollaston, FRS, compiled from the authorities of Flamsteed, De La Caille, Hevelius, Mayer, Bradley, Herschil, Mashelyn, & C. with an exteufive number from the works of Mifs. Herschel. The whole adapted to the year 1800 and the limits of the constellation decriment by a boundry line. LONDON. Sold by M Berge (late Ramsden) No. 199 Picadilly Jan 1801'.
The drama and detail of marine painting continues to capture the imagination of collectors, and they remain willing to bid strongly for these scenes, especially examples by revered artists or those of particularly desirable locations or historical periods. Our renowned capability for generating marketing coverage, combined with our wide international reach, results in strong results for our clients time and again.
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.