A PAIR OF TERRACOTTA FIGURES OF A GARDENER AND A GARDEN-MAID

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Park West The Property of a Private Collector Collectors are often described as having that elusive attribute, ' a discerning eye '. The phrase is justly applied to the private collector who, with immense flair, formed this remarkable group of objects to adorn the romantic interiors of his London home. Park West, a John Nash Revival villa built in a picturesque crescent beside Regents Park, has for twenty-five years been the setting for this varied yet focused collection. A love of sculpture in both gilt-bronze and terracotta predominates, set off by French furniture and delicate Meissen porcelain, all of which encapsulate the essence of an 18th century amateur. The vast majority of the objects were acquired from the leading dealer's in their respective fields, including William Redford, Partridge Fine Arts, Agnew's and Mallett, and several even resonate with a historical provenance of an earlier collector's sale, stretching from Pavlovsk Palace to Sir Richard Wallace. The terracotta figure of a bacchante ( lot 101 ) raising a tambourine aloft once formed part of the collection of Major-General Sir George Burns and was included in the celebrated sale held by Christie's at North Mymms Park, Hertfordshire in 1979. It is this object which, perhaps, best typifies the taste of the collection with its playful yet graceful nature. The figure is attributed to Claude Michel ( 1738-1814 ) - better known as Clodion - one of the most influential sculptors of the late 18th century. Although Clodion was to have great success with large scale marbles and monumental architectural friezes, he is known today principally through his intimate terracotta groups depicting individual figures or groups of nymphs, satyrs and cherubs. Elsewhere, a set of four Louis XIV white marble busts of the seasons ( lot 83 ) stand beside a Louis XVI terracotta bust of a Gentleman by Clemens Jayet ( 1731-1804 ) ( lot 79 ). Clemens Jayet began his career in Paris and became a member of the Academy of St Luke in 1755, but moved to Lyon shortly thereafter. He later became Professor of Sculpture at the Ecole de dessin, and was known to have executed a number of portrait busts of local worthies. Although the subject of lot 79 is unidentified, it bears strong stylistic similarities to the bust Jayet executed of the painter Jacques Nonette in 1773. In the Drawing Room furniture ranges from a Louis XVI ormolu-mounted console desserte by Charles Topino ( lot 156 ) to a fine Napolean III burr-yew secretaire à abattant ( lot 146 ) attributed to Alexandre Beurdeley, after a design by Adam Weisweiler and inset with a Homeric tablet in jasperware depicting the Triumph of Venus and the choice of the shepherd Paris. Triumpant Empire candelabra, ornate mantel clocks and colourful marble columns - all are skillfully articulated to create a sumptous effect. A pair of mid 19th century Italian marmo rosso antico urns by Benedotto Boschetti ( lot 106 ) and a fine bronze figure of Perseus Arming by Sir Alfred Gilbert, O.M., R.A., ( 1854-1934 ) further indicate the diverse nature of the collection. The collection includes two magnificent works of art believed to originate from Russia; a pair of ormolu and patinated-bronze vases of unusually large scale, reputedly from Pavlovsk Palace, St.Petersburg ( lot 72 ) and an ormolu and patinated-bronze vitrine table ( lot 100 ). Both dating from the early 19th century, the urns are almost certainly executed in Russia, inspired by French prototypes purchased in Paris by Paul I. The vitrine table similarly employs Empire ornament promoted by C. Percier and P. Fontaine and evokes the romance of Cupid and Psyche. In its celebration of allegorical and mytholgical subjects, whether as sculptural groups, furniture or objets d'art, as well as artefacts from the Grand Tour, this collection offers a highly tempting array for discerning connoisseurs, passionate collectors and style-concious decorators alike.

A PAIR OF TERRACOTTA FIGURES OF A GARDENER AND A GARDEN-MAID

BY GOSSIN FRÈRES, LATE 19TH CENTURY

Details

A PAIR OF TERRACOTTA FIGURES OF A GARDENER AND A GARDEN-MAID
By Gossin Frères, late 19th Century
She stands with a basket of flowers over her right arm, he stands with one foot on a spade, each on an integral naturalistic base, signed 'GOSSIN FRES PARIS' and 'GOSSIN FRES' respectively, damages and restorations
49½ and 51½in. (125.8 and 130.9cm.) high

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No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis

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