This so-called isihlangu battle shield was acquired during the Anglo-Zulu War and comes from the collection of a British regimental historian. Made during the second half of the 19th century and comprised of hide, wood and black hair, it will be offered in a sale of African and Oceanic Art at Edinburgh saleroom Lyon & Turnbull on May 1.
The original bearer of the 3ft 9in (1.15m) shield was part of a group named the umCijo (or ‘the sharp ones’), who fought at the famous battles of Isandlwana and Rorkes Drift.
In the Zulu army, experienced warriors carried white shields while the younger unmarried men carried black. This demarcation formed the basis of the Zulu’s battle formation imitating the horns, chest and loins of a cow, which is thought to have originated in hunting as a means of encircling game.
Estimate £3000-5000.
lyonandturnbull.com or see this item on thesaleroom.com
A sale of East Anglian art at Norfolk saleroom Keys on April 26 will include three market-fresh oils by John Arnesby Brown (1866-1953), the English artist known for his Impressionistic depictions of pastoral landscapes. The works have remained in the same family since they were acquired from Arnesby Brown.
This 8 x 10in (20 x 25cm) oil on panel of a Norfolk landscape is estimated at £3000-4000.
Nottingham-born Arnesby Brown moved to Haddiscoe in Norfolk at the turn of the century and lived there until his death.
keysauctions.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
Surrey saleroom Ewbank’s will auction paintings from a vast collection of art in a sale of Contemporary Art and Modern British Paintings on April 25.
The works, which include examples by English artists John Piper and Terry Frost, comprise more than 1000 paintings and prints consigned from a deceased estate in north London. The collection was amassed by the vendor’s father, who sourced his collection from galleries, auctions, markets and fairs over many years.
This 15 x 20in (39 x 51cm) oil on paper by Piper, entitled A View of Blenheim Palace From The Duke Of Marlborough’s Column, is estimated at £2000-4000.
ewbankauctions.co.uk or see this item on thesaleroom.com
This 1950s desk designed by Gio Ponti (1891-1979) – regarded today as a major coalescing force behind the golden age of 20th century Italian design – is among 124 lots included in a Mid-Century Modern sale at Dublin saleroom Adam’s on April 30.
The 2ft 6in x 4ft (76cm x 1.21m) piece with six drawers on brass feet comes with a certificate of authenticity from the Gio Ponti Archives and is estimated at €3000-5000.
adams.ie or see this item on thesaleroom.com
