The Halls Fine Art specialists share their favourite lots from the forthcoming Autumn Auction on Wednesday 15th September...
03/09/2021
Lot 297 – An unusual zoomorphic cream jug
This curious little English prattware jug seems to be a blend between a goat, a chicken and a dolphin and is absolutely one of my favourite lots in the sale. These humorous pots originally found their inspiration in legends and fables, before growing only ever more popular in the nineteenth century due to the popular anthropomorphic literary characters created by the likes of Lewis Carroll. Although the exact nature of the contents remain unclear, we can certainly be sure they matched the old saying 'Neither fish, flesh, fowl nor good red herring’.
One of my favourite lots in the autumn auction is the novelty silver model of a foal, lot 119. I love the charming lifelike character that the foal has, cast as if it’s about to trot off to its mother, or go for a canter around the paddock. Any animal lover will covet this delightful ornament and with a pre-sale estimate of £100-200 you don’t need deep pockets! It would make a great gift for someone special or perhaps a well-deserved treat for yourself!
I think that Lot number 5 is my favourite piece in the collection. Although it is slightly macabre and sombre, I love the confrontational nature of the print and its reflection of the harsh realities of farming life- it really reminds me of Orwell’s Animal Farm. Tunnicliffe never sought to honey coat or over-romanticise farming, where life and death were simple realities in daily life, in fact he dealt with this in a number of his prints. The farmer is seen here in the background consulting with the Knacker who has come with his cart to take away the old farm horse who can no longer continue. This etching made such an impression on me, the horse lingers in an intermediate state- hovering between life and death, while his fate is decided behind him.
One of my favourite lots in the sale is the late 18th century oak refectory table, as for me it combines good looks, size and practicality. The first criterion is always important and this table is not just attractive (being well-figured and of good colour) but is also well designed, as it can be dismantled. This is possible as the stretcher is joined to the supports with pegged through tenons; a form of open construction. Secondly, it is a very good size, at over 9’ long it can seat up to 12 people and, lastly, it is a very practical piece of furniture as there are no legs or low friezes that impede sitting at the table, as with so many 18th century country dining tables. Does it need to be said that even in this modern age when families get together to celebrate they still need a table from which to eat. What better way to do so than using such a simply designed but attractive and well-crafted example.
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One of my favourite lots in the Autumn auction is a really stylish cast iron garden bench. We regularly see examples of Coalbrookdale being in Shropshire, but this one comes from a little bit further to the South East at Bilston Foundries. At first glance you would be forgiven for thinking it was Secessionist period, or possibly Art Deco. But it is, surprisingly, much later than that. It was designed by Edward Bawden and first produced in 1956. The design was inspired by spider webs that one might find in a garden and is rather playful, originally intended as part of a set including a table and single chairs.
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