Shown right is one side of a Victorian double-sided dummy board painted with a contented tabby – to the other is a rearing spitting tom. Estimated at £200-300, the 8in (20cm) high piece went to the London trade at £1800.
Bottom Right: another
predictable favourite feline was this Roman micro mosaic panel of a white kitten wearing a blue
ribbon which also improved upon lowly expectations to sell at £4000. Measuring 61/2 x 5in (16.5 x 12cm) this hardstone equivalent of a Henriette Ronner was inscribed Rev. Fabbrica di S. Pietro in Vaticano Studio del Musaico. Numero d’Ordine 1906, Prezzo Lire 200 Nome dell’ artisa Simonetto, Oggetto un Gatto Bianco.
Dealer with an eye for quality and cats
As the many people in the trade who remember Joan Eyles will know, the Yorkshire dealer was a cat enthusiast. So when pieces from her own collection were offered at Tennants’ Leyburn rooms on 17-18 July it was no surprise to see the occasional accent on the feline.
