Furniture, Works of Art & Clocks - Day 2

Day 2: Lot 368 - 738

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Our Summer furniture auction includes several interesting collections and we are delighted to offer almost 100 lots (lots 249-345) from the estate of the late Edward ‘Teddy’ Croft-Murray CBE (1907-1980). 

Edward Croft-Murray was a former keeper of Prints and Drawings at the British Museum. He was an antiquarian and an internationally acknowledged expert on early European Art and Music. ‘Teddy’ lost his father at a young age. As a result, he learned to amuse himself. Inspired by an uncle who had an interest in archaeology, his playtime involved exploring early Roman rubbish tips around his home. He was descended from the Croft baronets of Croft Castle, Herefordshire and was related to a cousin of Empress Josephine of France. The combination of this early loss, the inspiration of this uncle and this family inheritance must have stirred his lifelong interest in the past.

His published books included a long overdue catalogue of the ‘British prints and drawings’ in the British Museum collection and also with Anthony Blunt ‘Venetian drawings at Windsor Castle .‘ His ‘magnum opus’ which is unlikely to ever be succeeded is the definitive twin volumes on ‘Decorative Painting in England 1537 to 1837’ which was published in 1962 and 1971. His interest in this area had undoubtedly been stimulated by the lovely wall paintings by Antonio Joli which graced the front entrance hall of his house No. 4 Maids of Honour Row, Richmond, where he and his family lived for nearly fifty years. The sale will feature many lots that formerly graced this wonderful house, including: (lot 252) a good George II Irish dining table, a set of eight George II dining chairs (lot 256) and (lot 274) a George III library bookcase almost certainly commissioned by William Rawlinson from Gillows. Other highlights include: a rare George II china cabinet in the manner of Ince & Mayhew (lot 257), a good early 18^th century dummy board (lot 271), a fine Prisoner of War bone model of a frigate (lot 325) and an Italian marble Grand tour bust of a Roman Emperor (lot 342).

The sale will also feature a fine William & Mary olivewood and marquetry escritoire (lot 195) from the estate of the late Julian Bream CBE (1933-2020) which is being sold to benefit his charitable foundation along with three further lots. Julian was a regarded as one of the most distinguished classical guitarists of the 20^th century.

Other highlights of the sale include: a rare Charles II lignum vitae wassail bowl which features an enamel ‘print’ of the Royal Coat of Arms of Charles II (lot 100). A Private European Collection of early textiles, the majority acquired from Mayorcas (lots 160-168), a selection of tapestries, including a suite of three, depicting the French Royal Residences which were formerly at Easton Neston, Northamptonshire (lot 171). Day Two will start with the Quance Collection (lot 368-405) which features 19^th century French furniture, clocks and lighting, the highlight is lot 382 a French kingwood secretaire a abattant in the manner of Francois Linke. The sale concludes with a wonderful pair of tortoise coffee tables by Anthony Redmile (lot 734) that are being sold on behalf of the descendants of the late Captain George Lionel Jameson OBE.