4th Mar, 2025 10:00
Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall
Sir John Lavery RA RSA RHA (Irish, 1856-1941)
'La Belle Mère' - portrait of the artist's wife Hazel and his daughter, Eileen
signed 'J Lavery' u.l., also signed, inscribed with title and dated '1911' verso, oil on canvas
128 x 90cm
Provenance: The artist, by descent to his granddaughter, Lady Ann Forbes-Sempill;
with Pyms Gallery, London, c.1990.
Exhibited: Royal Hibernian Academy, Dublin;
Gallagher Galleries/Pyms Gallery, London, 'A Free Spirit', 1990, no 37.
Literature: Kenneth McConkey, 'A Free Spirit: Irish Art, 1860-1960', Antique Collectors' Club/Pyms Gallery, 1990, pp.144-145.
We are grateful to Professor Kenneth McConkey for his kind assistance with the cataloguing of this lot.
£180,000 - £250,000
Buyer's premium: 30.00% (inclusive of VAT, where applicable)
Condition Report
Framed: 149 x 111.5cm
The painting is executed in oil on a canvas support which has not been lined. A supplier’s stamp for Reeves and Son is present on the reverse with a painted inscription recording the artist and title. There is extensive mould across the back of the canvas and stretcher; a small area is present on the surface of the painting at the lower right corner. The canvas tension is good, there are minor undulations across the surface typical of an unlined painting of this age including a slight deformation at the lower left corner. Cracks have formed in the canvas and paint layers, following the edge of the wooden stretcher behind. In some areas small losses have occurred along these lines, notable along the upper edge and lower left side, although the surrounding paint appears stable. The paint layers are secure overall but some small losses and cracks have occurred. These are mainly located at the edges of the picture and in some areas have been overpainted with quite large, free brushstrokes. The overpaint is well matched to the original and only evident under ultraviolet light, possibly having occurred early on in the paintings history. A thin varnish layer is present across the surface but the overall appearance of the work is matte.
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Auction: Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall, 4th Mar, 2025
We are exceptionally excited to present our online preview of Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall.
This preview offers an exciting glimpse of the carefully curated selection of period furniture, objects and fine paintings featured in this sale. Housed within the historic walls of Boden Hall and its expansive 70-acre grounds, the pieces reflect a thoughtfully crafted harmony of timeless elegance and modern comfort.
Browse the preview online below, ahead of the full sale launching soon.
Viewing
London Viewing | Highlights
A selection of lots will be on view Monday 10 - Friday 21 February (weekdays only) at our London Gallery, 15 Cecil Court, London WC2N 4EZ, as follows:
Monday-Friday, 11am - 6pm
Saturday - Closed
Sunday - Closed
For more information, please contact 0203 971 2500 | london@sworder.co.uk
Stansted Viewing | Auction
Viewing will be held at our Stansted Auction Rooms, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet CM24 8GE, as follows:
Friday 28 February, 10am - 4pm
Sunday 2 March, 10am - 1pm
Monday 3 March, 10am - 4pm
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.
Full Terms & Conditions relating to our auctions can be found here
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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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