It has been consigned to Dreweatts & Bloomsbury for the March 15 sale by the English descendants of the van den Steen de Jehay family.
A highlight from this collection comprising 13 lots is the pair of late 17th/early 18th century silver parcel gilt figure groups pictured here, by Abraham Drentwett II, Augsburg, c.1800. One features a cherub with a spear tackling a wild boar and the other a seated cherub with a bow with a rearing hind, each on an oval base. They are estimated at £30,000-50,000 in the sale at Donnington Priory, Newbury.
Château de Jehay is a castle near Amay in the province of Liège in Belgium. Lambert van den Steen, lord of Saives (1664-1757), was the first representative of the van den Steen family to bear the title of lord of Jehay. In 1720, the château and its lordship was purchased by Lambert van den Steen who was an advisor to the Prince-Bishop of Liège. The family went on to keep the domain for 280 years. The title of comte (count) was conferred in 1840.
During and after the Second World War the castle was used as a children’s home. It was given back to Count Guy van den Steen in 1950.
Van den Steen was a sculptor and many of his works now adorn the château’s grounds. His death in 1999 brought to an end the van den Steen de Jehay family line.
The castle and its collections were acquired by the province of Liège. Van den Steen’s legacy was to leave the house open to the public in as pristine condition as possible.
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