NEWBURY.- Dreweatts and Bloomsbury announced the sale of The Contents of Finchcocks Musical Museum which will take place on 11 May 2016 at Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE.
This unique and exciting sale will coincide with The Richard Burnett Collection of Early Keyboard Instruments which will be sold in aid of the Finchcocks Charity for Musical Education on the same day.
Pre-auction viewing will take place initially from 29th April – 2nd May at Finchcocks, the beautiful Georgian Manor House in Goudhurst, Kent, that has been home to this stunning collection for the past 45 years, and then at Dreweatts scenic showroom at Donnington Priory from 7th – 11th May.
The Contents of Finchcocks auction include a diverse selection of music-related ephemera including musical prints, books, furniture from 17th century and later, along with paintings by Thomas Rowlandson, Louis Volders, Albert Delerive and Dorothy Webster Hawksley to name but a few. A highlight is Rowlandson’s (d.1827) vibrant Tasters at Apothecaries Hall which carries an estimate of £3,000-5,000 along with Volders (d.1711) stunning family portrait The Lefèvre family (est. £30,000-50,000).
Also of interest from the selection of paintings is the striking work Eve by Dorothy Webster Hawksley (d.1970) (est. £6,000-8,000). Hawksley, who was greatly inspired by Italian Old Master paintings often made women the subject matter of her work. In this emotive piece she depicts a pensive and beautiful Eve in the midst of her infamous temptation.
Further highlights include a pair of Regency maple and parcel gilt duet stands (circa 1815) by prestigious pianoforte and music stand maker Erard London (est. £2,000-3,000) which relates to a music stand in a collection at the Victoria and Albert Museum. Other key furniture pieces include a set of four window seats, circa 1810 (est. £5,000-8,000).
From amongst the decorative artworks in the sale is a striking 18th century, classical mythological tapestry depicting the Goddesses at Mount Olympus which has an estimate of £4,000-6,000.
