Cheffins
40 St James’s Place, London
020-7839-0888
About Auction House
We have clients all over the world and are based in one of the most dynamic regions in the UK. We’re proud of our past and excited about our future.Auction Previews & News
6 Results
Auction IndustryLost treasure from Horace Walpole’s Strawberry Hill Collection discovered in Suffolk and set for auction
The soon-to-be-auctioned work is one of only three known examples of the model, with the other two currently held by The Louvre and the Fitzwilliam Museum. CAMBRIDGE.- A sculpture of an ostrich from the workshop of celebrated Renaissance sculptor, Giambologna, will go under the hammer at Cheffins Fine Sale in Cambridge on 21st April. Having been held in a private collection for over 180 years, and originally purchased from the Horace Walpole collection at Strawberry Hill House, the sculpture is set to sell for between £80,000 -£120,000. Having previously been held in Horace Walpole’s esteemed collection at Strawberry Hill House, the sculpture was detailed in A Description of the Villa of Horace Walpole in 1774. The sculpture is believed to have been bought by Walpole between 1765 and 1766, having been created by Giambologna and his studio in the late 16th century and early 17th century. It was then sold at the ‘Great Sale’ of Strawberry Hill in 1842, 45 years after Walpole’s death, to John Dunn-Gardner of Suffolk, who at the time styled himself as the Earl of Leicester, for fifty pounds and eight shillings, and it has remained in the family’s collection ever since. The soon-to-be-auctioned work is one of only three known examples of the model, with the other two currently held by The Louvre and the Fitzwilliam Museum. The similar model which is held by the Louvre was first documented in 1689 and had previously been part of the French Royal Collection, before it was donated to the Museum in 1881 by Adolphe Thiers, the President of France. Another model was sold for £260 at the E.L Paget sale at Sotheby’s, London, in 1949 where it was purchased by Lieutenant Colonel the Honourable Mildmay Thomas Boscawen who went on to leave the sculpture to the Fitzwilliam Museum following his death in 1958. By contrast, the sculpture offered by Cheffins has not been seen in public for over a century having been retained in a private family collection in Suffolk. The sculpture first came to Cheffins’ attention when a series of paintings by the current owner were offered at the…
Auction IndustryArchive of prints by 20th century artists from The Curwen Studio, Chilford Hall, to go under hammer
Edward Bawden CBE, RA (British 1903-1989) Aid to Russia; The Rail-Head at Khanagin, Iraq. CAMBRIDGE.- A large archive of prints by the likes of Edward Bawden, Lionel Bulmer and Kip Gresham will go under the hammer at Cheffins in Cambridge on the 21st – 28th August. In a timed online format, the prints on offer are the remaining items from the famous Curwen Studio, previously located at Chilford Hall, Cambridgeshire. The Curwen Studio was founded by the Reverend John Curwen in 1863 and based in Plaistow, Newham. Initially publishers of sheet music, the press went on to become one of the first institutions to produce lithographs and prints by some of the UK’s most well-known graphic artists from the early 20th century. In 1977, an exhibition at the Tate Gallery named ‘Artists at Curwen: A Celebration of the Gift of Artists’ Prints from the Curwen Studio’ was the turning point to putting the Press on the map and was the start of the Tate’s archive of contemporary prints. The Curwen Studio was relocated to Chilford Hall in Cambridgeshire 1989 by businessman and art enthusiast, Sam Alper, where it went from strength to strength. Later, Sam Alper also established the Curwen Print Study Centre which is still in existence. Following Sam’s death in 2002, The Curwen Studio returned to London where it currently operates from Worton Hall. Brett Tryner, Director, Cheffins comments: “The Curwen Studio produced tens of thousands of prints by some of the most important contemporary 20th century artists and became known as one of the preeminent printmakers of the past century. The key artists of the 20th and 21st century are the ones to watch in this market, with works from the likes of Edward Bawden, Bernard Dunstan and Lionel Bulmer, offering some of the best lithographs or prints available, especially those which carry a signature and a low edition number. There has been an uplift in values for some of the best prints on the market, with Lowry examples now achieving prices well into the thousands, however the joy with prints is that they provide a way to invest for…
Auction IndustryOver 600 lots of antiques and artworks to go under the hammer at major Cheffins fine sale
Amongst the 150 paintings available, top lots include a work by Italian artist, Francesco Beda. Titled ‘The Suitor’, this picture dates back to the late 19th century and depicts an elegant historical genre scene with a Rococo interior, typical of Beda’s signature style and which catered to the tastes of the new bourgeoisie, making him one of the most fashionable painters of the period. This is expected to make between £12,000 and £15,000. CAMBRIDGE.- Over 600 lots of antiques and artworks will go under the hammer on the 29th and 30th July as part of the Cheffins Fine Sale at the firm’s salerooms in Cambridge. The sale will also include a comprehensive Asian art section, collectors’ items, clocks, rugs and porcelain. The highlight of the Asian art section is a Chinese blue and white porcelain dragon dish from the Qianlong period, dating between 1736 and 1795. The piece was bought by the seller on Portobello Road in the 1950s and is estimated to reach between £5,000 - £7,000. Also, within the section is a pair of Chinese Doucai porcelain tea bowls, dating from the Daoguang period which have an estimate of £4,000 - £6,000. Amongst the Asian furniture, a Japanese Meji cabinet with elaborate decoration has an estimate of £2,000 - £3,000 and a gilt 17th century Japanese cabinet is estimated at £1,500 - £2,000. Amongst the 150 paintings available, top lots include a work by Italian artist, Francesco Beda. Titled ‘The Suitor’, this picture dates back to the late 19th century and depicts an elegant historical genre scene with a Rococo interior, typical of Beda’s signature style and which catered to the tastes of the new bourgeoisie, making him one of the most fashionable painters of the period. This is expected to make between £12,000 and £15,000. Another painting set to draw interest from collectors is a work by Flemish artist, Gerard Thomas, dating back to the late 17th century which depicts an astronomer working in his studio. Born in Antwerp in 1663, Gerard Thomas studied alchemy which soon became a favourite subject of his work, this painting has an estimate of…
Press ReleaseKeith Flint’s personal effects to be auctioned by Cheffins
Personal effects from the home of The Prodigy’s late frontman, Keith Flint, are to be sold by auction at Cheffins in Cambridge on Thursday 7th November at 6pm. In excess of 170 lots will be offered to assist with the settlement of the estate’s liabilities. The sale reflects Keith’s personal taste in art and fashion as well as his interests in music and beyond. Amongst the collection are a number of music awards and presentation discs from around the world, commemorating the global success of the 90’s electronic band, The Prodigy, as well as an archive of music recordings, studio reels and artwork from Keith’s solo projects - Flint and Clever Brains Fryin'. The sale will also feature much of Keith’s personal clothing, jewellery and body jewellery, including a distinctive double cone septum nose piercing that he was regularly seen wearing both on and off stage. His wardrobe demonstrates his love of Japanese clothing brand ‘Bathing Ape’, with a number of hoodies, T-shirts, shirts and more, many in their signature camouflage designs. The furniture and artworks from the star’s home are a mixture of traditional craftmanship and contemporary, urban style. Perhaps the most iconic piece is his specially commissioned bed, in which he had a hand in designing. The oak plank and steel construction is supported at each corner by entwined thorns and is accessed via steps supported on the back of a crouching winged mythical beast. There are also customised pieces from the renowned London store of Jimmie Martin. His art collection includes a portrait by artist Kirk Andrews of Keith surrounded by dedications, which was commissioned by fans and presented to him on his 47th birthday at his pub, the Leather Bottle in Pleshey, Essex. Other works reflect his interest in motorsports, with images of Barry Sheen and a Le Mans Porsche. His keen interest in motor racing extended to his ownership of a motorcycle team ‘Team Traction Control’, which competed in the British Supersport Championship as part of the British Superbike Championship. In 2015 Team Traction Control machines also won two Isle of Man TT races. The sale will include a number of Keith’s motorcycle leathers,…
- Press Release
Strong demand at September Fine Sale
A William Powell Frith (1819-1909) painting that had been purchased at Christie’s nearly 45 years ago topped a successful Cheffins’ September Fine Sale when selling for £50,000. A Victorian phenomenon who was close friends with Charles Dickens, William Powell Frith’s popularity was such at the time that six of his paintings at the Royal Academy required a guard and rail to protect them from clamorous and enthusiastic crowds. This painting, entitled Flowers, had been exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1875 itself and the price achieved shows Powell Frith’s popularity has endured. The principal contents of Mawley Hall in Shropshire, one of the most extraordinary early 18th-century county houses in England, understandably drew lots of attention, given the high quality lots on offer and that they were largely fresh to market. The highest price was achieved for a late 18th century Zeigler carpet that sold for £38,000, the popularity of the maker and the rarity of the size and colour helping to drive up that price. Two 19th century chandeliers from Mawley Hall also proved in high demand. A cut glass two-tier fifteen branch chandelier sold for £21,000, while an early 19th century Regence style ten branch chandelier realised £15,000. One of the most striking and imposing lots in the sale, a mid-18th century German Altona Padouk and parcel gilt bombe secretaire-cabinet, sold for £12,000. A George III green lacquer and faux bamboo Pembroke table was sold for £22,000. While in need of restoration, the rarity of the table and its colour drew spirited bidding from several telephone bidders. Away from the Mawley Hall consignment, an oil painting that was purchased at a provincial Essex auction in the 1960s and recently confirmed as by Flemish painter Huybrecht Beuckelaer sold for £20,000. More and more of his paintings have come to light since the painter was identified as the artist known by monogrammist HB in 1997 and this painting – of a fruit and vegetable, poultry and game seller with the Old Church of Delft in the background – was signed Huberius Beuckelaer 15 (?8)5. Cheffins Fine Art Director Luke Macdonald said: “We knew going…
- Press Release
Rare Flemish Painting Comes to Market at Cheffins
A painting bought at a provincial auction in the early 1960s by an art-savvy Essex GP is expected to be one of the star lots at Cheffins’ Fine Sale in Cambridge on 11th and 12th September. The oil painting, by Flemish painter Huybrecht Beuckelaer (born circa 1535/40 – 1605/1624), has been given a pre-sale estimate of £20,000 to £30,000. Dr Ted Palmer, who died ten years ago, was a lifelong collector of paintings, and recognised the quality of the early Flemish painting despite its condition and secured it inexpensively under the noses of many local dealers. Once the painting was cleaned, Dr Palmer was puzzled somewhat to unearth the signature ‘Huberius Beuckelaer 15 (?8)5’, and the only reference he could find was for a Joachim Beuckelaer, so he assumed it must be by him. A few years after his death, his widow, Halcyon, happened on an article about Huybrecht, Joachim’s brother, and wondered if the painting could possibly be by him. While visiting Halcyon to inspect another painting, Patricia Durdikova, an expert at Cheffins Fine Art, reinforced the view the painting was indeed by Huybrecht Beuckelaer and her enthusiasm for its significance encouraged an initially reluctant Halcyon to market it. Patricia’s research for Cheffins endorsed not only the signature, but the fact at that time painters sometimes used Latinised versions of their names, including Rubens. Patricia said: “The painting is beautiful and is particularly significant as more and more of Huybrecht’s works are now coming to light, since he was identified as the artist known by ‘monogrammist HB’ in 1997. “After that discovery there has been much research into Huybrecht and his work which has been made more challenging as he worked in England, France and Italy. In particular, his work for Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, has been the subject of much research. “We look forward to selling the painting and hope to get a good result for Halcyon.” The catalogue for the Fine Sale is now available on the Cheffins website.
