An Arts & Crafts silver hand mirror, made by the Artificers’ Guild in London in 1920, will be included in Woolley & Wallis’ two-day silver sale in Salisbury on October 24-25.
The guild was founded in 1901 by Nelson Dawson, with Edward Spencer as principal designer, and was one of the few commercially successful guilds. Following the death of Spencer in 1938, and the outbreak of the Second World War, the guild closed in 1942.
Measuring 14in (35cm) long, the mirror is decorated with four Celtic motifs and a chrysoprase cabochon to the centre.
Estimate £400-600.
woolleyandwallis.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
In 1745, the Italian artist Giovanni Battista Piranesi (1720-78) embarked on a series of influential prints depicting fictitious and atmospheric prisons.
Titled Prisons Carceri d’invenzione (Imaginary Prisons), the 16 prints of enormous subterranean vaults and large machines would go on to influence Romanticism and Surrealism.
One of these works, called The Round Tower, will feature in Harry Moore-Gwyn’s British and Continental Pictures auction at 25 Blythe Road in West Kensington on October 25. The etching and engraving, which was originally made in 1749, was probably printed in 1830 or later, and carries an estimate of £800-1000.
25blytheroad.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
A 9in (23cm) wide bronze abstract sculpture, on a black slate base, was made in 1970 by Denis Mitchell (1912-93).
The St Ives sculptor worked mainly in bronze and wood, and worked for many years as an assistant to Barbara Hepworth.
Titled Tumaco and numbered 1/6, the piece will be included in Tennants’ Modern and Contemporary Art Sale on October 28 in Leyburn, North Yorkshire. It is among 200 lots of affordable oils, watercolours, prints and sculpture.
Estimate £1000-1500.
A newly discovered portrait believed to be Horatia Nelson, the love child of Lord Nelson and his mistress Emma Hamilton, will be included in Charles Miller’s November 7 sale at 25 Blythe Road in West Kensington.
The c.1850 ambrotype photograph depicts the sitter wearing a black satin costume with a white frilled bonnet cap.
Mounted in a decorative gilt brass surround and set in a leather pocket case, the portrait will be sold with other related items, including a letter of provenance which explains the relationship of Lord Nelson with the portrait’s original owner.
It has passed by descent and is estimated at £1000-1500.
