11th Feb, 2025 10:00
Holkham | The Attic Sale
35
An Etruscan nenfro head of a female
mid-2nd century BCE, with thick hair brushed away from the face and the remnants of large disc earrings,
22cm wide
27cm deep
33cm high
Provenance: Thomas Coke, 1st Earl of Leicester (1697-1759) collection, housed at Holkham Hall; and thence by descent.
Literature: E Angelicoussis, 'The Holkham Collection of Classical Sculptures', Mainz, 2001, no. 49;
Forschungsarchiv für antike Plastik 2665/6-9. Arachne no. 7479.
Etruscan stone sculpture was relatively rare and was usually reserved for funerary use. Human figures and animals are known from cinerary urns and grave markers. For a female figure from a high relief made of nenfro, see 'Die Etrusker und Europa', Berlin, 1992, p. 150, no. 216. For a grave marker in the form of a male bust, see Dr F Buranelli, 'The Etruscans - Legacy of a Lost Civilization', Memphis, 1992, p.198, no. 178.
For a similar treatment of the hair, see Christie's, 'Ancient Artifacts: Property from the Schwitter-Lagutt Collection', Basel, 3 July 2024, lot 152.
£1,500 - £2,500
Buyer's premium: 30.00% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
IN PERSON
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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
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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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