25th Jan, 2024 10:00
Dick Turpin | The Legend Lives On
9
A pair of export reverse-glass mirrors
A pair of export reverse-glass mirrors,
late 18th/early 19th century, Chinese, each painted with a portrait of a court figure, within a rococo giltwood frame
49cm wide
73cm high (2)
Provenance: Maurice 'Dick' Turpin, Barons Keep, London W14.
Take advantage of our Sworders Delivery Service. Please see 'Shipping estimate' below.
In the eighteenth century, Chinese export porcelain was made with the same great skill and expertise that domestic wares were known for, but designed to Western tastes. The popularity and spread of these pieces, and their continued desirability, is a testament to the interaction between Chinese artisans and Western collectors and importers who, without a common language or culture, promoted this interchange of stylistic ideas.
Most of the porcelain pieces transported for this purpose were blue and white wares decorated with generic landscapes, but the other, smaller, category of items was made up of colourfully decorated ceramics in the 'famille rose' or 'famille verte' palettes. It was these pieces that were considered the top of the market, a position they have maintained until today, and for wealthy collectors looking for the highest-quality decoration for their interiors, these enamelled porcelains still hold great appeal.
Sold for £8,500
Condition Report
Light mottling to the mirror plates. Some very minor scratches to painted decoration, but overall the details remain in very good order. Some light scratches to the glass. The frames appear later and are re-gilded. Some fine cracks to the foliate carvings, but both appear in good overall structural and cosmetic condition and are ready to hang. Sight size 39.5cm x 34.5cm.
IN PERSON
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Auction: Dick Turpin | The Legend Lives On, 25th Jan, 2024
We are extremely excited to present the catalogue for Dick Turpin | The Legend Lives On, available online to browse and bid.
Maurice, known to all as ‘Dick’, was one of the foremost antique dealers of the second half of the 20th century, who in his fifty-year career achieved truly iconic status. The enduring memories of the quality and calibre of the pieces that he dealt in only surpassed by those of his persona; a giant of a man with a large walrus moustache, scarcely seen without his trademark thick glasses, Harris tweed trilby and pipe, all of which accentuated by the curiously high-pitched voice that those who knew him cannot fail to affectionately imitate.
'He was larger than life, captivating his clients and fellow dealers for more than half a century. He had extraordinary knowledge and extraordinary energy.' - Chris Jussel
The contents of his Barons Keep residence comprises hundreds of spectacular, rare and meticulously chosen pieces of furniture, works of art and paintings from Europe and Asia, many of which have now found their way to the Sworders saleroom.
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Saturday 6 - Saturday 13 January at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11.30am - 5.30pm
Saturday, 1pm - 5pm
Sunday - Closed
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Saturday 20 January, 10am - 1pm
Sunday 21 January, 10am - 1pm
Monday 22 January, 10am - 5pm
Tuesday 23 January, 10am - 5pm
Wednesday 24 January, 10am - 5pm
Thursday 25 January, 9am - 10am
All lots are, however, extensively illustrated and carry detailed condition reports - see 'Condition report' at the foot of each lot description.
The auction will take place at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE.
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
Request A Valuation
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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.
