a grey-painted plaster bust of Heraclitus (c.535-475 BCE),18th century, probably Italian, the bearded figure raised on an integral socle,
53cm wide
25cm deep
69cm high
A similar marble version of this bust is housed in the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, accession no. A.40-1947.
An identical version of this bust in marble is housed in the Quex House collection, Powell-Cotton Museum, Kent.
IN PERSON
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ABSENTEE BIDDING
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LEAVE COMMISSION BIDS ONLINE
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TELEPHONE BIDDING
If you would like to bid by telephone please contact our team prior to the auction with your details of the lots you are interested in and your full name, address, telephone number(s) and email address. Once our team have entered your bid request you will receive an email confirmation. We will contact you during the sale and one of our team will bid live with you over the phone.
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: Holkham | The Attic Sale, 11th Feb, 2025
Sworders are honoured to present Holkham | The Attic Sale. Under the instruction of Thomas Edward Coke, 8th Earl of Leicester, this once-in-a-lifetime auction marks a historic first for the Norfolk estate and will showcase over 400 treasures from the storerooms, attics, and cellars of the great Palladian house.
The sale is led by a group of Roman marble fragments collected by the 1st Earl on his grand tour, as well as several 18th- and 19th-century plaster busts. Other highlights include a Louis XV Gobelins mythological tapestry and a Republican Sèvres porcelain 'beau bleu' dessert service, which sit beside an array of Victorian china, clocks, and plenty of furniture, blending high-value pieces with more accessible items to capture the spirit of the classic ‘attic sale.’
Printed catalogues are available to pre-order here.
Condition Report Requests: Please note that due to restricted access to the sale lots, any enquiries will not be dealt with until week commencing Monday 3 February 2025. Your patience is appreciated.
Viewing
Sale Location
The auction will take place at Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the Sea, Norfolk NR23 1AB.
Viewing
Viewing will be held at Holkham Hall, Wells-next-the Sea, Norfolk. Use the postcode NR23 1RH to enter Holkham via the north gates.
Entrance by catalogue only, admits two, includes parking.
Friday 7 February, 11am - 3pm
Saturday 8 February, 11am - 3pm
Sunday 9 February, 11am - 3pm
Monday 10 February, 11am - 3pm
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
Condition Report Requests: Please note that due to restricted access to the sale lots, any enquiries will not be dealt with until week commencing Monday 3 February 2025. Your patience is appreciated.
Accessibility
Holkham Hall aims to accommodate all accessibility needs where possible. Full details about access are available here
Refreshments
Available from the Courtyard Cafe
Friday 7 - Monday 10 February, 10.30am - 3pm
Tuesday 11 February, 9.30am - 5pm
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here
Sorry, we cannot calculate a pre-sale automated shipping cost due to the items weight/size.
Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate can be requested after the sale by using the link in your invoice email; this also includes 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
Here at Sworders, we are happy to offer a free online valuation service. Please fill out the form and press the 'Submit' button below.
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.