Ely House auction for Dreweatts & Bloomsbury

Fine furniture and decorative arts are to go under the hammer at Ely House in London when Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions‘ sale takes place later this month.

George II carved walnut setteeThe sale will feature a selection of exceptional 18th century English and Continental furniture as well as unique and unusual decorative arts. Estimates range from £200 to £80,000 and over 160 lots will be on offer.

The pre-auction exhibition and the auction itself will take place in the sumptuous surroundings of Ely House – the Grade I listed Georgian townhouse which has been home to Mallett since 2012. The auction will present buyers with the opportunity to acquire attractively priced and highly desirable pieces.

Auction highlights include a George II carved walnut settee with striking scrolling arm supports finely carved with acanthus decoration and boldly carved cabriole front legs (est. £20,000-30,000). Possibly part of a group of seat furniture by renowned English cabinetmaker, Giles Grendey (1693-1780), a similar, slightly smaller sofa attributed to Grendey with provenance from Hotspur Ltd, was sold by Sotheby’s New York in 2005 for $162,000.

A Genoese commodeAlso of interest is a pair of Genoese commodes. Each with two drawers decorated ‘sans traverse’ with foliate scrolls and swags on a pale green background with the scroll legs terminating in gilt sabots (est. £30,000-50,000).

Regency dining table Another significant highlight is a stunning Regency dining table with a finely figured top and four semi-elliptical additional leaves decorated with foliate ebony marquetry. Both the distinctive monumental base with its central finial and the bold ebony marquetry inner border to the leaves epitomise the work of the leading Regency cabinet-maker, George Bullock (d. 1818) and carries an estimate of £50,000-80,000.

Chinese porcelain punch bowlFrom amongst the decorative arts works in the auction is an attractive late 18th century Chinese porcelain punch bowl. It retains its original glazes and gilt decoration and charmingly depicts courtiers in Oriental landscapes, est. £2,000-3,000.

French Empire bronze and gilt vasesA pair of French Empire bronze and gilt vases, est. £2,000-3,000, epitomise elegance and grandeur, with laurel leaf motifs and hooded lion’s head masks. Their bases are cast with acanthus leaf and further neo-classical ornament.

George Bailey, Chairman of the Fine Art Auction Group said, “This March we look forward to welcoming new and existing clients to Ely House to discover its rooms dressed with fine furniture and exquisite works of art. With competitive estimates across a broad spectrum and a rich selection of pieces dating from the 18th century through to the contemporary era, the auction presents the perfect opportunity to acquire some very special items.”

Ely House, Fine Furniture and Decorative Arts, will take place on Wednesday 23rd March at Ely House, 37 Dover Street, London W1.

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