14th Mar, 2023 10:00
Fine Interiors - Two Day Sale
148
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866)
Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866),
'The Highland Mary', a carved white marble figure, on an oval plinth,
44cm wide
31cm deep
124cm high
For a similar example, see The Royal Collection Trust inventory number 2075.
During the 1840s, Spence was sent to study in Rome under the atelier of Richard James Wyatt and John Gibson. As such, his work is defined a typically neoclassical depiction of contemporary figures. 'The Highland Mary' portrays Mary Morison - a famous nineteenth-century figure known for holding the affection of Scottish poet, Robert Burns. The sculpture illustrates Burns and Morison's final encounter, in which Burns swears eternal faithfulness, as evoked in his namesake poem:
That heart that lo'ed me dearly!
But still within my bosom's core
Shall live my Highland Mary
The sculpture was first commissioned in 1852 for notable businessman and potter, Charles Meigh, at his new residence of Grove House, in Shelton, Staffordshire. Spence went on to make several versions of 'The Highland Mary', including an example commissioned for Prince Albert as a birthday present to Queen Victoria, which now resides in the Guard Chamber at Buckingham Palace.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
Sold for £3,000
Condition Report
For a similar example, see RCIN 2075 in the Royal Collection Trust.
IN PERSON
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Please note that we normally offer this service for lots with an estimate of £500 or higher and all telephone bid requests must be received by close of business the day before the auction.
Auction: Fine Interiors - Two Day Sale, 14th Mar, 2023
The first Fine Interiors catalogue of the year is always particularly special for us, with the prospect of another twelve months of working with beautiful pieces of furniture and works of art, as well as having the opportunity to share our enthusiasm with the people behind the objects.
Included in this sale are nearly five hundred stylish lots representing the breadth of the decorative arts from the last five hundred years, as well as the appetite for incorporating them into a contemporary interior in order to create a welcoming environment. This notion is clearly exemplified in three private collections from town and country that we are privileged to be able to offer - those of the Late John Scott-Oldfield, Mrs Althea Lloyd and Sir John Craven.
We are hugely excited to share this sale with you all and hope that you take just as much enjoyment from browsing the online catalogue as we did in bringing it together.
Viewing
AUCTION VIEWING
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Fri 10 March, 10am - 5pm
Sat 11 March, 10am - 2pm
Sun 12 March, 10am - 2pm
Mon 13 March, 10am - 5pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size.
The below table shows indicative shipping costs for larger items being delivered within the UK mainland. Please note that all the below costs are purely for indicative purposes and are to be used as a guideline only. If you purchase multiple large items, we will combine deliveries to reduce the shipping costs.
Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate will need to be requested after the sale using the link in your invoice email; this also includes all requests for international delivery.
If you would like further information about shipping and collection please see here.
Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!
Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here
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To help us with your valuation please attach clear photographs of the item where possible. You can submit up to 5.
Approximate dimensions are also useful. Expect to hear from the appropriate valuer as soon as possible.
