Posts tagged with "Auction"

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.

HENRY SANDON PRIVATE COLLECTION

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION

Ceramics and pottery spanning decades to be offered

Ceramics specialist and antiques expert Henry Sandon (MBE)

Chorley’s auctioneers is delighted to announce that it will offer the private collection of BBC Antiques Roadshow’s long-serving expert, Henry Sandon (MBE), known for his passion for porcelain and pottery and in particular, Royal Worcester porcelain. The prized collection of many of his treasured pieces will be offered in a sale titled The Henry Sandon Ceramic Study Collection at Chorley’s on Tuesday, 18th April, 2023

Featured image: An important Royal Worcester plate by famous Worcester artist Harry Stinton (1883-1968)

Estimate £1,000-£1,400

As well as being a world-recognised antiques expert, Henry Sandon (b. 1928) is an author and former lecturer, as well as the father of the renowned TV ceramics expert John Sandon. He began his career with an interest in archaeology, which offered a deep insight into the world of ceramics from all countries, cultures and decades. In 1967 he was appointed curator of the Dyson Perrins Museum at the Royal Worcester Factory, a position he held until 1982, but he is most well-known for his role as an antiques expert on the long-running BBC television show Antiques Roadshow.

Speaking about his passion for ceramics and his extensive collection, Henry says: “I wanted to title my collection ‘Ancient and Modern’ like the hymnbook, for it was choral music that brought me to Worcester. I came to teach at the grammar school and to sing in the wonderful cathedral choir, and once in Worcester, I discovered ceramics everywhere. I dug up Roman and Medieval pots in my garden by the Cathedral and was captivated by their history. Digging up broken pots led me to attend local auctions and antique shops filled with Worcester porcelain.

I also discovered modern pottery. Geoffrey Whiting, one of Britain’s greatest Studio Potters, held classes in Worcester. I was a terrible pupil, but from Geoffrey Whiting I learned to love his pots and those of many other modern potters, who became good friends. In 1967 the Museum of Royal Worcester needed a new curator and my enthusiasm got me the job that changed my life.

A Royal Worcester vase by famed Worcester artist Harry Davis (1885-1970). Estimate £800-£1,200.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.
PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.

I learnt the history of Worcester porcelain from scratch, helped by wonderful mentors, three of whom gave me the same advice: Jim Kiddell from Sotheby’s, the great collector Dr Bernard Watney and my dear friend Geoffrey Godden all told me that the best way to learn about ceramics was to form a study collection. It didn’t matter that I could only afford damaged examples of the early pottery I coveted. I knew it was important to buy as much as I could and to hold it and live with it. These experts would come to the museum to help me sort the finds from my important excavations on the site of the earliest Worcester china factory. At this time, fifty years ago, Worcester still had a flourishing china factory. I spent much of my time taking important visitors around the factory and meeting the great artists who had spent their entire lives working at the porcelain works. People like the modeller Doris Lindner and the painter Daisy Rea had so many wonderful stories to tell. Above all, I cherish every moment I was able to spend with Harry Davis, who I believe was the greatest porcelain painter of all time. 

Attending sales at Bruton Knowles I met and became a special friend of the legendary Arthur Negus.” Arthur Negus (1903-1985) was the first ‘Television Antiques Expert’, having starred in the popular antiques TV show Going for a Song. He took part in the pilot for the Antiques Roadshow in 1977 and was an immediate hit with viewers. This was the beginning of a brand-new genre in television, but no one could have predicted its enduring appeal to this day.

Henry continues: “We got on really well and Arthur showed me that a passion and enthusiasm like ours would rub off on others, through lectures and through the new medium of television. For Birmingham University I began teaching evening classes covering the whole history of ceramics and instead of using slides like most lecturers, I took along actual pieces from my rapidly expanding study collection, pots my students could hold for themselves.

Meanwhile appearances with Arthur Negus on Going for a Song and Arthur Negus Enjoys, led me to join, in 1979, The Antiques Roadshow, which gave me a chance to share my love of ceramics with a massive audience around the world.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.

A north coast Peruvian stirrup vessel in the form of a seated warrior holding a club, dating from circa 200-600 AD.

Estimate £300-£400.

I had to sell part of my study collection forty years ago when I went to Canada as the Director of The George Gardiner Museum in Toronto, one of the world’s leading centres for the study of ceramics of all kinds. When I returned to Worcester I gave special encouragement to many new manufactories of ceramics, where I found traditional skills were still preserved, but struggling to survive in tough conditions. My name and enthusiasm for real craftsmanship helped British ceramics factories large and small and for my efforts I was rewarded with an MBE from the Queen for services to Charity and to the Ceramics Industry. Now that I am older than most of the ceramics in my collection, I am no longer able to pick up and hold and cherish every one of the hundreds of pieces I have lived with all around me. I need other people to help care for me now and so it’s time to find new owners to care for all my beloved pots. I have known Simon Chorley way back since Arthur Negus’s days and so I asked him to organise this sale. Apart from just a few special favourites for my family to treasure, it is time for all of my pots to join new study collections.”

Titled The Henry Sandon Ceramic Study Collection, the auction will include many examples by Worcester artists that Henry describes above, particularly by his great friend, the late Harry Davis, as well as more modern studio pieces by another friend, Geoffrey Whiting. Pots from 2000BC to the present day will grace Henry Sandon’s sale and people will have the opportunity to buy a piece of history, as well as a memento of one of our ‘National Treasures’.

Among the highlights is an important Royal Worcester plate by Harry Stinton (1883-1968), a member of one of the most famous Worcester families of artists – the Stintons painted at the factory for almost 160 years. 

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.
PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.

A stoneware vase by the revered studio potter Geoffrey Whiting (1919-1988). Estimate £300–£500.

The plate in the sale is from a service commissioned in 1928, by the founder of another famous family, William Keith Kellogg (1860-1951) of the legendary cereal company, trading as Kellogg’s. Kellogg ordered two sets, both comprising just 25 plates, painted by Royal Worcester’s two best artists. The costly red background on the plates was chosen to match the colour of the famous Kellogg’s logo.

In 1985 Henry Sandon advised on the sale of the service, being offered in sets of twelve plates, and was allowed to choose the one ‘spare’ plate of each design for himself. The current example is the one he chose. It features a rich border with raised gilding and in the centre is a watermill in a snow scene. It is signed by Harry Stinton and carries an estimate of £1,000-£1,400.

Another important piece in the sale is a Royal Worcester vase by the famed Worcester artist Harry Davis (1885-1970). In his last years, Harry became a great friend of Henry Sandon. Harry had started  at the Worcester factory aged just 13 and soon gained a wonderful reputation for his work. In time, Harry became foreman of the ‘Men’s Painters department’ at the factory, as well as teaching apprentices joining Royal Worcester.

In 1928 Harry Davis helped Harry Stinton with the Kellogg’s service and in 1938 he painted a vase for the Australian cricketer Sir Donald Bradman to commemorate his three double centuries on the New Road Ground at Worcester. Henry Sandon was later to enjoy a wonderful correspondence with Don Bradman about cricket and the incredible Harry Davis vase and in 2004 Henry travelled to Australia to see the Bradman Vase for himself. Harry Davis created a very different vase in Henry’s sale featuring a stag in a snow scene in experimental sunset colouring. Painted by Harry Davis in 1921, Henry acquired the vase from the artist himself and it is estimated to fetch £800-£1,200.

PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.
PRIVATE COLLECTION OF BBC ANTIQUES ROADSHOW’S MUCH LOVED EXPERT HENRY SANDON (MBE) HEADS TO AUCTION via 360 MAGAZINE.

A toby jug in the form of Henry Sandon by Staffordshire maker Kevin Francis Ceramics. Estimate £50-£100.

A stoneware vase by the celebrated studio potter Geoffrey Whiting (1919-1988) also features in the sale. Northumberland-born Geoffrey trained as an architect but fell in love with the craft of pottery and set up his own pottery in Worcestershire. Henry Sandon is passionate about Geoffrey Whiting’s pots and lent a number of his pieces to the Whiting Retrospective Exhibition, including this slab-form vase, which has ‘resist’ decoration made using a lost-wax technique. The vase carries an estimate of £300-£500.

An example of one of the older pieces in the collection, is a north coast Peruvian stirrup vessel in the form of a seated warrior holding a club. From the Mochica (Moche) culture, it dates from circa 200-600 AD and is estimated to fetch £300-£400. A fun addition to the sale is a toby jug in the form of Henry Sandon by Staffordshire maker Kevin Francis Ceramics. The jug features experimental colours and was not put into production, making it truly unique. It carries an estimate of £50-£100.

Simon Chorley, commenting on the collection says: “Chorley’s is delighted to have been instructed to sell the collection, as we have had a wonderful, long-standing relationship with both Henry and Arthur.” He tells us: “I first met Henry Sandon at the Three Choirs Festival at Gloucester in 1965. I was a chorister at Gloucester Cathedral, while Henry was a Lay Clerk at Worcester. In the early 1970s I joined the firm Bruton Knowles and was under the wing of Arthur Negus. Henry often attended auctions and occasionally met and chatted with Arthur.

It was marvellous to see both experts really enjoying beautiful objects throughout their many appearances on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow. After Arthur’s death in 1985, I was involved with arranging the auction of his treasured collection. Henry very much enjoyed that sale and it is now a privilege for me to be involved in arranging Henry’s sale. In 2002 I was invited as a guest to This is Your Life, where Henry Sandon was the surprised recipient of the ‘Red Book’ and the final surprise guest was Anne, Arthur Negus’ daughter. She enthused about her late father’s great friendship with Henry and is now thrilled that Chorley’s are conducting Henry’s auction, a conclusion to the two friends’ and magnificent broadcasters’ life-long enjoyment of collecting.”

Photos: Courtesy of Chorley’s

Narcissist Seeks Similar by Harland Miller VIA 360 MAGAZINE.

Best of British

FIRST COMBINED SALE FOR FORUM & DREWEATTS AUCTIONEERS CELEBRATES EVERYTHING BRITISH

Dreweatts and Forum Auctions are excited to announce a new slot in their auction calendar titled The British Salewhich will take place onTuesday December 13, 2022. The sister companies will showcase artworks by prominent Modern & Contemporary British artists, alongside limited-edition prints and multiples. The auction has been curated to offer both seasoned and new collectors an opportunity to acquire pieces from the second half of the 20th Century, through to more current works by popular British contemporary artists, such as Bridget Riley, Damian Hirst, David Hockney, Grayson Perry, Harland Miller, Barbara Hepworth, Henry Moore and Chris Levine. The sale was devised to celebrate all things British and to service the increasing global interest in British artists. Estimates for the works range from £250 up to £150,000 and are guaranteed to reach their recipients in time for Christmas! 

The Complete Set of Five Empresses by Damien Hirst via 360 MAGAZINE.
The Complete Set of Five Empresses by Damien Hirst via 360 MAGAZINE.

Among the highlights are three hand finished etchings by Yorkshire artist and writer Harland Miller (b.1964). The artworks are Miller’s iconic Penguin prints created after vintage book covers from the Penguin publishing house. One of the three, a woodcut print in a striking bright pink is from an edition of 50 and dates from 2021. Signed and dated, it carries an estimate of £45,000-£55,000 (Lot 93).

The sale will offer four lithographs by one of the most important British artists of the 20th Century, Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975). Recognised predominantly for her Modernist sculpture, Hepworth also produced spectacular graphic works on paper, which included etchings and lithographs such as these. One of the highlights titled Sea Forms while abstract, will have been inspired by the landscape around Hepworth, while living with her artist husband Ben Nicholson (1894-1982), on the Cornish coast. This dynamic work dates from 1969, is signed by the artist and is numbered from the edition of 60. It carries an estimate of £3,500-£4,000 (Lot 12). 

The full set of five Empresses by controversial artist Damien Hirst (b.1965) is among several works by the artist in the sale. The prints, created in a vibrant red feature spiral patterns made up of one of

Bad Meaning Good by Banksy VIA 360 MAGAZINE.
Bad Meaning Good by Banksy VIA 360 MAGAZINE.

Hirst’s most well-known motifs – the butterfly. The butterflies are arranged on laminated giclée panels to form patterns, the material helping to create the illusion of the butterflies in flight, with a glitter effect adding to the sense of movement. Dating from 2022, the work is signed and numbered and carries an estimate of £20,000-£25,000 (Lot 104).

There are several artworks by graffiti artist Banksy (b.1974) in the sale, including one from the edition of four of the Bad Meaning Good album covers that he designed for the Bad Meaning Good music compilations between 2002 and 2003. The albums featured various artists and varying genres of music and were released in vinyl and CD formats. This particular work is from the Bad Meaning Good Volume 1 album, which consisted of tracks chosen by British DJ and music producer, Skitz. The painting in spray paint and emulsion on canvas portrays a stencilled black and white machine gun wearing oversized trainers in an almost comical way, detracting from the violent image of the machine gun and what it represents. An orange cross can be seen in the background, one of many symbols of Banksy’s anti-establishment statements about authority and control. Created in 2002 it is estimated to fetch £120,000-£150,000 (Lot 123). 

Works by another popular British graffiti artist included in the sale is Stik (b. 1979), with two lots by the artist on offer. Holding Hands is a set of five lithographs featuring stick men/women holding hands. It is printed in bold colours, with each signed by the artist in black felt-tip pen on paper. The set carries an estimate of £4,000-£6,000 (Lot 120).

Untitled (Elongated Triangles 6) by Bridget Riley VIA 360 MAGAZINE.
Untitled (Elongated Triangles 6) by Bridget Riley VIA 360 MAGAZINE.

Among three works by British artist Bridget Riley CH CBE (b. 1931) is a screen print (Untitled, elongated triangles 6). The work is typical of her popular op art style of creating visual artworks that give onlookers a sense of illusion and movement, with oscillating patterns. Created in bold colours, this spectacular work was produced in 1971 and is signed, dated and numbered from an edition of 75. It carries an estimate of £6,000-£8,000 (Lot 720). 

One of six works by revered British artist David Hockney (b.1937) is an early etching with aquatint titled Fires of Furious Desire inspired by the poem: ‘O Flames of Furious Desire’ by William Blake. Dating from 1961 it is from an edition of 75 and is signed and dated. It carries an estimate of £5,000-£7,000 (Lot 61).

Fires of Furious Desire by David Hockney VIA 360 MAGAZINE.
Fires of Furious Desire by David Hockney VIA 360 MAGAZINE.

Home Workers and Key Workers is a ceramic set of figures by contemporary artist Grayson Perry (b.1960), famed for his creations that explore identity. Perry designed the Staffordshire figures as part of his ‘Art Club Series 2’ and are models of the exhibition works in Bristol Museum. From an edition of 200 and stamped with the Staffordshire pottery mark, the set has an estimate of £3,000-£5,000 (Lot 116). (Illustrated below)

Home Workers and Key Workers by Grayson Perry via 360 MAGAZINE.
Home Workers and Key Workers by Grayson Perry via 360 MAGAZINE.

About Dreweatts

Dreweatts auctioneers was established in 1759 and is one of the foremost auction houses in the UK. It comprises 22 specialist departments ranging from Fine Art (Old Master Paintings, British & European Pictures, Modern & Contemporary art), Jewellery and Watches, Silver, Wine, Books and Manuscripts, British & European Ceramics & Glass, Decorative Arts & Modern Design, Ephemera, Furniture, House Sales & Collections, Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, Asian Ceramics and Works of Art and Live Steam and Model Engineering. It holds regular specialist sales from a highly-qualified expert team, totalling more than 70 sales per year including curated Interiors sales, single owner collections and house sales.

Dreweatts is a member of the Gurr Johns group of international art advisory businesses. Its’ main saleroom is Donnington Priory in Newbury, Berkshire. It has a London showroom on Pall Mall, St James’s and caters to a global clientele.

As well as auctions, the company offers valuation services for private individuals, lawyers, executors, family offices and fiduciary agents to provide the necessary advice to assist with probate and estate management and market valuations, for possible sale. Dreweatts valuation services include free online auction valuations, virtual valuations, home visits and valuation days at our salerooms, where clients can receive advice on buying and selling from Dreweatts market-leading specialists. 

About Forum Auctions

Established in 2016 Forum Auctions is London’s specialist auction house for Works on Paper. With market leading capabilities across all genres of 20th and 21st century Prints and Editions the firm is equally focussed on serving collectors of antiquarian and 20thcentury books, manuscripts, maps and Old Master prints and drawings.  

Located in Battersea Forum holds a busy calendar of both Live and Timed Online auctions and is pleased to again be welcoming bidders in person following that past 2 years of lockdowns. Forum’s recent merger into the Gurr Johns group complements the range of specialisms offered by sister company Dreweatts 1759.

"Big Ben" by Jack Inglis via 360 MAGAZINE

Rare sculpture of Big Ben on auction

FOR WHOM THE BELL TOLLS

Rare sculpture of Big Ben heads to auction

A rare scale model of ‘Big Ben‘ commissioned by the British Travel and Holidays Association in 1965 to promote Britain in America, is to be offered at auction. The world-recognised clock tower at the Palace of Westminster was chosen as the iconic symbol of the country abroad and 

The model was to be used for promotional purposes. While the tower is known colloquially as ‘Big Ben’, the name actually applies to the ‘Great Bell’ contained within the tower but is usually extended to include the tower itself. The official name of the tower in which ‘Big Ben’ is located was called the ‘Clock Tower’, until 2012 when it was renamed the ‘Elizabeth Tower’ to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

The 99.5cm high model was produced by stage designer-turned model-maker Jack Inglis in his London ‘Toltec Studio’ and came complete with a working clock, light and its own bespoke travelling case. The model took six weeks to make and was entirely crafted by hand from wood and paper, with hand painted finishing. 

Correspondence between the Association and the sculptor details the requested specifications, such as: “I would like it accurately to scale” and “coloured as the original”, with an “operative parliamentary light and clock”. A Daily Express article from 1972 features the sculptor with his handcrafted model, alongside the real-life ‘Big Ben’ on Westminster Bridge, where he’s introduced as creating ‘masterpieces of realism from balsa and card.’ The article goes on to say that perhaps the most flattering testimonial to his talents came from the keeper of Tower Bridge, who when shown a photograph of the model adamantly refused to believe it wasn’t the real thing.

Senior Valuer, British and European Sculpture at Dreweatts, Silas Currie Leigh-Wood says: “We are delighted to offer such a fine example of model making craftmanship, depicting one of London’s most iconic buildings”. The model was given to the current owner directly by the sculptor for his birthday 17 years ago and has remained in its’ box all of this time. 

It will be offered for auction at Dreweatts in a sale titled Property from the Phillip Lucas Collection, Spitalfields House and other Properties including Garden Furniture and Statuary on December 1, 2022 and carries an estimate of £800-£1,200 (lot 655).

For more information on Dreweatts and upcoming sales, go to: www.dreweatts.com

About Dreweatts

Dreweatts auctioneers was established in 1759 and is one of the foremost auction houses in the UK. It comprises 22 specialist departments ranging from Fine Art (Old Master Paintings, British & European Pictures, Modern & Contemporary art), Jewellery and Watches, Silver, Wine, Books and Manuscripts, British & European Ceramics & Glass, Decorative Arts & Modern Design, Ephemera, Furniture, House Sales & Collections, Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, Asian Ceramics and Works of Art and Live Steam and Model Engineering. It holds regular specialist sales from a highly-qualified expert team, totalling more than 70 sales per year including curated Interiors sales, single owner collections and house sales.

Dreweatts is a member of the Gurr Johns group of international art advisory businesses. Its’ main saleroom is Donnington Priory in Newbury, Berkshire. It has a London showroom on Pall Mall, St James’s and caters to a global clientele.

As well as auctions, the company offers valuation services for private individuals, lawyers, executors, family offices and fiduciary agents to provide the necessary advice to assist with probate and estate management and market valuations, for possible sale. Dreweatts valuation services include free online auction valuations, virtual valuations, home visits and valuation days at our salerooms, where clients can receive advice on buying and selling from Dreweatts market-leading specialists. 

art illustration by Gabrielle Marchan for use by 360 magazine

Mother and Child

Dreweatts is thrilled to present the discovery of a new work by one of the most important British artists of the 20th century, the esteemed British sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986). After two years of working with the Henry Moore Foundation and the family of the owner, former Publisher and Editor of The Architectural Review magazine Hubert de Cronin Hastings (1902-1986), the sculpture, titled Mother and Child has now been authenticated. Commenting on the discovery, Dreweatts’ specialist Francesca Whitham, said: “It has been such a fascinating journey working with this rare Henry Moore sculpture. I was elated, after many months of delays due to Covid restrictions, to finally receive the letter from the foundation authenticating the piece as a genuine Moore. Dreweatts are honored to bring this sculpture to the market for the very first time, presenting an opportunity to purchase a unique and rare sculpture by one of the most important British artists of the 20th century.” 

The foundation was able to link the work to a sketch of the sculpture by Moore already held in its’ records, titled Eighteen Ideas for Sculpture, which he produced in 1939.

The sculptural group is believed to have been gifted to Hubert de Cronin Hastings directly by Henry Moore, as they met through The Architectural Review magazine, via Moore’s friend Jim Richards, Assistant Editor of the magazine at the time, who had befriended Moore after writing an article on his work for the magazine in 1934. The sculpture was passed down by Hubert to his son, John Hastings in the 1970s, remaining on his mantlepiece amongst an eclectic mixture of objects until he passed away in 2019.

The work is also considered an extremely rare piece as it is cast in lead, which was a material the sculptor only used for a short period in the 1930s, during a time in his career when he was experimenting with other materials such as string and wire for his series of stringed sculptures. Mother and Child is believed to be a preliminary design for one of these stringed sculptures, which explains the unusual markings on the front, adding to its’ joyful and playful nature.

art illustration by Gabrielle Marchan for use by 360 magazine

New Forum Auctions Paintings

Forum Auctions is delighted to offer several exemplary works in its upcoming sale of Editions and Works on Paper 15002021 on Thursday 17th March 2022. A work by the ever-popular English artist Damien Hirst (b. 1965) titled Virtues comprises the complete set of eight laminated giclée prints, dating from 2021, notably with matching edition numbers.

Virtues features eight cherry blossom prints, each named after one of the eight Virtues of Bushidō according to Nitobe Inazō‘: Honor, Mercy, Politeness, Control, Justice, Courage, Honesty and Loyalty.

With a nod to pointillism, action painting, and impressionism, the Cherry Blossoms symbolize the natural joy of spring. In colors and on aluminum composite panels, each is signed in pencil and with matched edition numbers from the respective editions of each work. Published by HENI Editions, the set carries an estimate of £80,000-£120,000.

Another top highlight is a work by one of the most influential British artists of the 20th century, David Hockney (b. 1937). Hockney is known for experimenting across mediums: from drawing, printmaking, and photography, to painting and digital experimentation. His subjects range from landscapes to portraits and still lifes. His highly popular works encapsulate much of what is around him, from friends and acquaintances to animals. The work in the sale, titled Waiter, Alexandria, portrays a figure in bright colors captured in colored pencil and graphite on wove paper. It dates from 1963 and has an estimate of £50,000-£70,000.

Another visually impressive and important highlight is a large-scale work by the British artist and novelist Harland Miller (b. 1964), who is famed for painting canvases that depict Penguin book covers, a theme that enables him to delve into the interactions between images, text, meaning, and a subject that he experiments with in his mixed-media and sculptural works.

Miller captures his audience’s attention, not just by his visual motifs, but also by his smart use of interwoven language, such as his cleverly devised book titles that appear in his works, often making a statement on classical, or contemporary literature, or topical subjects. This is demonstrated by the work in the upcoming sale. Titled Save the Penguin, the work bears the slogan ‘There’s plenty More Plastic Bags in the Sea’, a cynical take on ‘Plenty More Fish in the Sea,’ and the environmental effect of modern plastic use. This unique pigment print extensively hand-colored in graduating blue and white acrylic with graphite additions is signed and dated 2020. It has an estimate of £30,000-£50,000.

Over at Dreweatts is an equally impressive sale that includes the discovery of a new work by one of the most important British artists of the 20th century, the esteemed British sculptor Henry Moore (1898-1986). After two years of working with the Henry Moore Foundation and the family of the owner, former Publisher and Editor of The Architectural Review Hubert de Cronin Hastings (1902-1986), the sculpture, titled Mother and Child which has now been authenticated.

Commenting on the discovery, Dreweatts’ specialist Francesca Whitham, said: “It has been such a fascinating journey working with this rare Henry Moore sculpture. I was elated, after many months of delays due to covid restrictions, to finally receive the letter from the foundation authenticating the piece as a genuine Moore. Dreweatts are honored to bring this sculpture to the market for the very first time, presenting an opportunity to purchase a unique and rare sculpture by one of the most important British artists of the 20th century.”

The foundation was able to link the work to a sketch of the sculpture by Moore already held in its’ records, titled Eighteen Ideas for Sculpture, which he produced in 1939.

The sculptural group is believed to have been gifted to Hubert de Cronin Hastings directly by Henry Moore, as they met through The Architectural Review, via Moore’s friend Jim Richards, Assistant Editor of the magazine at the time, who had befriended Moore after writing an article on his work for the magazine in 1934. The sculpture was passed down by Hubert to his son, John Hastings in the 1970s, remaining on his mantlepiece amongst an eclectic mixture of objects until he passed away in 2019.

The work is also considered an extremely rare piece as it is cast in lead, which was a material the sculptor only used for a short period in the 1930s, during a time in his career when he was experimenting with other materials such as string and wire for his series of stringed sculptures. Mother and Child is believed to be a preliminary design for one of these stringed sculptures, which explains the unusual markings on the front of the sculpture, which add to its’ joyful and playful nature.

Mother and Child is a stunning figural group in trademark Moore semi-abstract style. Formed in lead, the work has been dated to 1939-1940 and will be offered in Dreweatts Modern & Contemporary Art sale on Wednesday, March 16, 2022, with an estimate of £30,000-£50,000. However, due to the popularity of works by the artist and the rarity of this type of work from the artist’s oeuvre, it may achieve much more. 

Commenting on the quality of the sales, Stephan Ludwig, CEO across both the Dreweatts and Forum auctions business, said: “These two auctions of Modern & Contemporary artworks taking place on 16th and 17th March underscore one of the many rationales for the merger of Dreweatts and Forum Auctions. With a combined £1,500,000 anticipated sales total, spanning fine art, sculpture, and prints, we are pleased to be delivering on our objective to grow across all sectors of the art market.”

Award illustration done by Mina Tocalini of 360 MAGAZINE.

Royal Warwick Vase

A Victorian Royal Warwick presentation vase and horseracing trophy, known colloquially as ‘Her Majesty’s vase,’ has been rediscovered, having vanished from sight for years. It was last seen when it was presented in 1845 at the Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall races, as a gift from Her Majesty the Queen, presented to the owner of the winning horse. It then descended through the family of the owner of the winning horse, Sir John Barker-Mill, 1st Baronet (1803-1860), and its significance had been unknown by subsequent generations, as the vase and stand had become separated from each other.

The vase was rediscovered in the family home, but the stand was only recently discovered in an outbuilding, which is when the family reunited them and realized exactly what it was. Further research confirmed it and Chiswick Auctions is delighted to offer it in a sale of Silver and Objects of Vertu sale on March 3, 2022.

The vase was commissioned by Queen Victoria and produced especially for the Plymouth, Devon, and Cornwall races in 1845 by the silversmith John Samuel Hunt (1785-1865) who traded with another great silversmith, Paul Storr (1770-1844). Known as the Warwick vase, it was created to the design of an ancient vase dating from the 2nd century A.D. This colossal vase measuring nearly six feet high was found in fragments in 1770 at the bottom of a lake at Hadrian’s Villa, near Rome, by a group of Englishmen and was acquired by Sir William Hamilton, at the time Ambassador to Naples. 

Hamilton sold it in restored condition to Charles (Greville), 2nd Earl of Warwick, who set it up on the grounds of Warwick Castle. The vase had been engraved by Piranesi in 1778 and provided the inspiration for many versions of the vase in silver and silver-gilt during the Regency period. Rundell, Bridge, and Rundell, the Royal goldsmiths, appear to have supplied most of the Warwick Vases, the most notable being a set of twelve commissioned by the Prince Regent and struck with the mark for Paul Storr, now at Windsor Castle. The Duke of York, second son of George III, owned a set of four which were included in the sale of his silver at Christie’s in 1827.

Mon Laferte for use by 360 MAGAZINE

Mon Laferte × District 13 International Art Fair

Artist Mon Laferte joins in at the District 13 International Art Fair in Paris this week amongst leading artists from the realms of street and pop art. The exhibition opens to the public from January 13 to 16.

Gracias,” the acrylic, mixed media piece of art created by Laferte will be auctioned off on Sunday, January 16 at 4:00 PM. (CET), by Drouot Group. To be eligible to bid on the auction day, make sure to register before Sunday, January 16 HERE.

Mon Laferte places her artwork on exhibit at the District 13 International Art Fair, represented by the Bahía Utópica Art Gallery in Valparaíso, at the Hôtel Drouot. The art fair brings together the edginess but energetic ambiances from galleries of street and pop art. An auction house showcased at the fair elevates the cohabitation of varying media forms to support urban artists.

Spanning from January 13 to 16 Laferte’s paintings will be available for sale, accompanied by a group of six other Chilean artists from Valparaíso, at Stand 10-B located at 9 Rue Drouot Paris. Her painting, “Gracias,” joins the special final auction with 27 other top artists from the world of street and pop art, on January 16. View the catalog HERE.

The piece “Gracias” is an Acrylic and mixed technique piece on canvas with dimensions of 122 x 91 centimeters. Laferte speaks about the piece, stating, “Some of these paintings I did while I was undergoing hormonal treatment to get pregnant. I have never heard anyone talk about the terror they feel, every day is an achievement. These have been the months in which I have felt the most fear in all my life. Never before did I take care of myself as much as I do now. Before I could drink and not sleep for many days and nothing mattered to me, now everything has changed for me. Every decision is critical to the successful end of my pregnancy. Also the hormones have been completely violent. Sometimes I go from happiness to deep depression. Pregnancy is not all tender and rosy. There are days when I feel like a black hole that lives in me is swallowing me.”

About Mon Laferte

Singer, songwriter and visual artist Mon Laferte has a unique artistic point-of-view that spans over a range of creative branches. The Chilean artist generates modern and stylish Latin music that captivates her audiences. Her personal songwriting charm snatched Laferte the Best Singer-Songwriter Album for Seis at the 2021 Latin GRAMMY’s. Recently, the album also received a GRAMMY nomination for “Best Regional Mexican Music Album (Includes Tejano).”

Amidst her career in the music industry, Laferte is a fully fledged artist with artwork notarized in differing countries. Laferte’s work continues to be established in exhibitions throughout numerous cities, including “Gestos” at the Museum of Mexico City. Her unique murals stand out amongst street art in Chile, Mexico and Los Angeles.

Art Basel Gif by Reb Czukoski for use by 360 Magazine

Basquiat × Art Basel

Fat Joe, French Montana, Busta Rhymes, and D-Nice all hit the Triller × The Bishop Gallery physical and digital curated experience during Miami’s Art Basel for the historic first-ever live NFT auction of rare photos of Jean-Michel Basquiat, a legendary neo-expressionist artist, by photographers Alexis Adler and Al Diaz.

Our Friend Jean NFT Auction, was an exclusive event of art, music along with a live NFT auction experience. For the first time, an incredible selection of NFTs featuring rare and personal photos of Basquiat were available on the Triller marketplace, a trailblazing AI-powered global platform, with exclusive previews and purchase opportunities onsite. The Bishop Gallery chose the Triller NFT marketplace because the Triller platform has been specifically engineered to minimize the minting process’s computing costs and complexities to reduce the carbon footprint effects and provide accessibility for creators looking to monetize through NFT sales.

The photos of Basquiat being introduced to the blockchain, gave the world a chance to own a piece of the man that made the art movement of the early 80s New York City so electric. The blowout event featured performances from hip hop royalty.

Fat Joe first took the stage to perform and welcomed Stevenson A. Dunn, Jr. from The Bishop Gallery to introduce the first ever seen NFT drop, which included four rare photos of Basquiat. Next, Busta Rhymes came out to perform and lastly, French Montana performed a set while DJ D-Nice spun the entire night.

Next up after Art Basel, Triller x The Bishop Gallery in partnership with NYX Professional Makeup will present the “Our Friend, Jean-HBCU Tour,” and exhibition that will embark on a tour to eight HBCU (Historically Black Colleges/Universities) schools. The tour will kick off in early 2022 and land in eight cities, where Adler will appear to share the works from the Alexis Adler Archive, featuring works from Basquiat and potential art donations to the schools. Together, Triller, Bishop Gallery, and NYX Pm, have artistry for all that has been at the core, and strive to bring accessibility to the arts and self-expression to younger generations.

Heather Skovlund for use by 360 Magazine

Art Basel VIP Minting Event

Established and renowned art dealer Avery Andon has collaborated with hip-hop legend and WuTang Clan founding member Ghostface Killah, along with the world-renowned jeweler Jason Arasheben, of Beverly Hills Minted Jewelry. This established team has joined forces to curate a minted NFT for the new art NFT platform and marketplace, ArtGrails.

Melting down Ghostface Killah’s Golden Eagle Bracelet, the 24k solid gold bracelet was transformed into a large one-pound gold coin that was minted as an NFT. The “Golden Eagle Bracelet” was made by jeweler Jason of Beverly Hills. Jason curates’ pieces for his clients that range from LeBron James, Drake, Mariah Carey, J-Lo and so many more phenomenal stars.

On November 30th the reimagined coin and an NFT video of the original form being liquefied and minted will be available as one exclusive set on the ArtGrails platform. This means that the piece will in the end only be purchasable by one buyer. ArtGrails is holding an invite-only VIP viewing event, art show and kick-off party on November 30th to celebrate the beginning of Art Basel 2021. The exclusive set of events will be held in the design distract of Miami. ArtGrails will not be posting content of the exclusive “minting event” video, so the auction winner will have the decision to make the video public or not.

The iconic 24k Golden Eagle Bracelet exemplifies an emblem in hip-hop history, and with the minting of the piece, now someone else will be able to own such a legendary piece of hip-hop history. The coin that is up for grabs will come with an NFT video that showcases Ghostface and Jason of Beverly Hills melting the bracelet into coin form. The video serves as a “tokenized physical asset that will accompany the minting of the video taken of the transformative goldsmithery into an NFT.”

Jason of Beverly Hills has continued to heavily influence and impact hip-hop history through the collaboration of this piece. While breaking down an emblem of hip-hop history, he also creates a new, reformed piece of that history. His work merges the physical and digital world in a way that has never been seen before. Avery Andon had the brilliant idea of the collaboration between Ghostface Killah and Jason of Beverly Hills for this creation. Andon leads ArtGrails upcoming NFT drops that highlight a wide range of renowned and influential buyers.

Andon comments on the event, stating, “this auction features some of the most monumental custom NFTs ever created, which required a platform that provides a truly custom experience for delivering high-end art. With NFTs en route to becoming an industry standard, ArtGrails pushes the industry forward, demonstrating that the future of fine art and collectibles goes beyond paper certificates of authenticity; therefore raising the standard for art buyers, owners, and dealers.”

The singular, unique set that includes the Ghostface Killah Gold Coin and the NFT Video of the melting and minting of the previous bracelet opens for auction on ArtGrails.com at 5:00PM EST on November 30th. The auction will end at 5:00PM EST on December 5th. To learn more about ArtGrails and to participate in the online NFT auctions, please visit the ArtGrails website at http://wwwartgrails.com.

Manny Hernandez for use by 360 Magazine

Jennifer Hudson Headlines InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball

Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida and InterContinental® Miami raised an excess of $2.7 million net expenses at the annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball. This year’s InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball was held on Saturday, November 6, headlined by singer and actress Jennifer Hudson at InterContinental® Miami. Jennifer Hudson performed a captivating concert for the Ball guests where actress and filmmaker Gabrielle Anwar returned as celebrity emcee of the Ball.

The theme of the annual Ball was “Galactica,” prompted by pop culture, vintage sci-fi films and space science. The “Galactica” theme led to some very innovative and inventive analyses on the Ball’s “white carpet.” The trio known as the “Three Amigos,” including Shareef Malnik, Glenn Sampert and Norman Wedderburn, welcomed guests to the 26th annual InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Ball.

All assets raised from the Ball benefitted Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida is a non-profit organization that grants life-transforming wishes for critically ill children.

The Ball’s space theme was theorized by the Ball’s Creative Direction Maxwell Blandford. InterContinental® Miami was creatively transformed by DECO Productions into a “galactic wonderland.” The space was attributed to retro space movies “Barbarella,” “Forbidden Planet” and “The Green Slime.”

Ball guests dined on a space-themed menu curated by Chef Jhonnatan Contreras. During the dinner, “Wish Kid” Jacob Schwartz was recognized. Jacob is a critically ill six-year-old that was diagnosed with high-grade osteosarcoma. His wish was to enjoy the ocean and was realized when his family traveled to Hawks Cay Resort in the Florida Keys, courtesy of Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida. Jacob’s mother, Helen Schwartz, spoke at the ball. She thanked the charity for granting her son’s wish that led to an unforgettable, stressless opportunity for him to just enjoy being a kid again. Gala Chair Shareef Malnik dedicated the Ball to Jacob.

Gabrielle Anwar, actress, filmmaker and Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida Ambassador, returned for her 10th year as a celebrity emcee to host her signature Wishes live auction. The auction showcased “nine out-of-this world experiences and one-of-a-kind items.”

Presented by the Finker-Frenkel Family Foundation, the Ball’s entertainer Jennifer Hudson performed a 45-minute set of fan favorites. Jennifer Hudson gave performances of “Natural Woman” and “Respect,” the title song from the Aretha Franklin biopic that she stars in. All guests received VIP gift bags that consisted of a coffee table book by artist Romero Britto, a custom star-shaped donut from The Salty and a $100 gift certificate from Alto car service.

The InterContinental® Miami Make-A-Wish® Nightclub presented by E11EVEN MIAMI was the official after-party, held following the Ball at InterContinental® Miami. The after-party was headlined by Ja Rule who also performed live. DJ Affect “set the tone for the evening,” highlighting a runway show that showcased looks by House of Skye. House of Skye is a global luxury fashion house by Skye Drynan. 42 custom designs strolled down the runway. The models wore “sky-high bling ponytails and alien-esque high twists coifed by in-kind donor Danny Jelaca of Danny Jelaca Hair.” Makeup was created by Beauty For real and further eye candy was supplied by Forealism.

The Ball’s partner, founder and in-kind donor InterContinental® Miami has contributed those donations to Make-A-Wish® Southern Florida, which has further allowed the organization to raise more than $32 million. These donations have resulted in over 6,300 wishes being granted to children with life-threatening medical conditions in the chapter’s area.