Go to church
For her Christmas exhibition this year, Sarah Colegrave offers a selection of pictures that “will fit perfectly beneath the Christmas Tree”. Measuring 5 x 7in (15 x 18cm), this c.1910 watercolour study for a reredos in All Saints Church, Earsham, Norfolk, above, is offered for £650.
Depicting the adoration of the magi and angels, it was painted by Reginald Francis Hallward (1858-1948), who worked as a stained-glass designer as well as a poet, painter and book designer.
Pictures in the exhibition can be viewed online or in person by appointment in London or Oxfordshire. Prices are inclusive of UK postage.
Give Jewels
Still-life by Mary Jewels (1886-1977) – £5500 from The Art Stable.
The Art Stable in Dorset offers this 1920 oil still-life by Mary Jewels (1886-1977) for £5500 as part of its Christmas exhibition.
The naïve painter was an associate of artists Dod Procter, Frank Dobson, Cedric Morris and Augustus John and exhibited her works in London.
The show, which also features works by artists such as Terry Frost and Graham Sutherland, runs until December 23.
Get inventive
‘Inventive Paris Clothes 1909-1939: A Photographic Essay’ by Irving Penn, 1977 first edition – £75 from Beaux Books.
Beaux Books has launched a ‘Buy Better Gifts’ campaign to promote its stock and that of other independent booksellers. Rare books, it argues in its Christmas newsletter, make for unusual and green gifts, and the dealership also donates a book for every purchase. Among its offerings is Inventive Paris Clothes 1909-1939: A Photographic Essay by Irving Penn with text by Diana Vreeland. The 1977 first edition is offered for £75.
Gift that packs a pinch
Tunbridge ware ‘miser’s’ snuff box – £195 from Opus Antiques.
Seasonally appropriate in both name and decoration is this antique Tunbridge ware ‘miser’s’ snuff box. The c.1810 box, which only allows a person to take a pinch of snuff, hence its name, is offered for £195.
It is one of a wide selection of offerings from Opus Antiques’ website, where it features a Christmas catalogue full of gift ideas.
Rule at Yule
Hexagonal ruler, c.1840-50 – £380 from Delomosne & Son.
Included in the annual Christmas List compiled by glass specialist Delomosne & Son is this hexagonal ruler, c.1840-50. Probably made in St Louis, France, it would have decorated a desk and been used as a straightedge and paperweight. Though similar in design to other examples, it is unusual for having olive green spiral threads as well as pink and white ones. More commonly these are either blue and white or red and white.
It measures 10in (25cm) long and is offered for £380.
Hunt for a lamp
Terracotta Roman lamp from the 1st-2nd century AD – £480 from Charles Ede.
Charles Ede’s annual Christmas catalogue includes this terracotta Roman lamp from the 1st-2nd century AD. It has a buff red slip-coated surface decorated with a stag being attacked by a hunting dog. The lamp has a provenance to a Swedish collector and was acquired in the mid- 20th century. It is offered intact for £480.
Cool customers
‘Ice Rink and Carousel, Christmas at the Natural History Museum’, an oil on board by David Sawyer – £2200 from Thompson’s in Aldeburgh.
Featuring 30 British artists of the 20th and 21st century, the Christmas Exhibition at Thompson’s in Aldeburgh is its second largest of the year. Shown here is Ice Rink and Carousel, Christmas at the Natural History Museum, an oil on board by contemporary artist David Sawyer, which is offered for £2200. Also included are works by Eduardo Paolozzi, Julian Trevelyan and Augustus John.
