The Lawrence Jade Collection

DAY 1: Fine Asian Art (lot 35-186)

DAY 2: Asian Art II (lot 200-622)

DAY 3: Japanese Works of Art (lot 700-894)
           Phillip Allen Collection (lot 1000-1306)

Neville Lawrence (1891-1959) and Murray Lawrence (1935-2021)

In 1891, Neville Lawrence, the younger son of Sir Walter Lawrence and Lilian James, was born in Kashmir, India. As a Captain in the Coldstream Guards, he fought in World War 1 where he was wounded twice.  He later became a banker and member of the London Stock Exchange, marrying Sarah Butler in 1933.  He held the position of High Sheriff of Surrey in 1949.

Neville’s lifelong passion for jade was ignited by a piece of jade gifted to him by his wife, resulting in the building of this exceptional collection, primarily sourced through Spink & Son, London. On his death in 1959 he bequeathed the collection to his only child, Murray.    

Murray Lawrence was born in 1935, he was educated at Sandroyd School and Winchester College before going up to Trinity College, Oxford. A passionate sportsman, he represented the university at both cricket and golf.  After graduating he began his career at Lloyd’s of London as an underwriter at C T Bowring.  He was appointed Chairman of Lloyd’s of London in 1988, a position he held for two years. He married Sally O’Dwyer in 1961 and had two daughters. In retirement he became increasingly captivated by the collection, buying and selling particular pieces, thus improving the calibre of the collection even further.  

內維爾．勞倫斯（1891-1959）和默里．勞倫斯（1935-2021）

1891年，沃特·勞倫斯紳士及莉莉安·詹姆士的小兒子內維爾．勞倫斯於克什米爾出生。他曾在第一次世界大戰中擔任冷溪衛隊隊長，之後成為倫敦證券交易所會員及銀行家。1933年他與莎拉．巴特勒喜結連理，妻子當時送了他一件玉雕作為新婚禮物。自此勞倫斯便開始了他畢生的玉石收藏，而他絕大部分的藏品都購於Spink & Son。1959年逝世後，他的珍藏便由他的獨子默里·勞倫斯繼承。

默里．勞倫斯出生於1935年，他曾就讀於著名英國貴族院校桑德羅學校、溫徹斯特公學及牛津大學三一學院， 亦曾代表大學板球隊及高爾夫球隊出賽。畢業後默里成為了C T Bowring的承保人並展開了他的保險事業。他於1988-1990年期間擔任倫敦勞埃德保險社（Lloyd's of London）的主席。他與莎莉·歐德懷爾於1961年完婚，育有兩女。默里在退休後醉心更新他父親的收藏，篩選出售部分藏品，致力擴充稀有的藏品，精益求精。2021年11月默里去世後，遵照他的遺願，他的女兒委託威立士舉行這場《琳瑯御珍：勞倫斯家族珍藏玉石》拍賣專場。

Each lot is subject to Buyer's Premium of 26% + VAT