Included among this selection is a group of five lots that are the property of the Prince of Prussia, a pair of George III silver-gilt sideboard dishes created in Paul Storr’s workshop that were purchased by William Pole-Tylney-Long-Wellesley, 4th Earl of Mornington, in 1814, and this monumental marble sculpture of The Three Graces by Edward Hodges Baily (1788-1867), pictured above.
The 6ft x 7ft 8in x 2ft 10in (1.8 x 2.3m x 87cm) white marble group was commissioned from the sculptor by Joseph Neeld MP (1789-1856) for his home, Grittleton House, Wiltshire. Neeld inherited a fortune from his uncle Philip Rundell and purchased Grittleton House in 1928 where he created a sculpture gallery which included no fewer than 15 works by Edward Hodges Baily. Neeld’s sculpture collection remained complete and in situ until the majority of the pieces, including this work, were sold at auction at Christie’s in 1966. The Three Graces has remained in private ownership since then. It is estimated at £600,000-1m.
