HIGHLIGHTS IN THE JANUARY FINE ART SALE

The connection between the objects illustrated may not at once become apparent except that they are Lots to be auctioned in Richard Winterton’s Fine Art Sale at Hilliard’s cross, Lichfield on 4th January 2007.

The tiny novelty scent bottle is shaped like a willow pattern warming plate. It is decorated with the familiar blue transfers and has moreover a silver cap hallmarked for London 1886. Despite minor damage it will no doubt enter a specialist collection at the right price.

The larger scent flacons are of cut and flashed glass and certainly date from the Jazz age, say around 1930. Their design appears simple, yet their making exercised the greatest skill of the glass makers’ art. They were fashioned in clear glass then cased with a further layer of black. Finally they were cut through to clear which means they were carved to reveal the brilliance of the original. Possibly French they are good enough for Baccarat though they are not so marked.

This finally leads us to our third object, the definitely French paper weight in bronze on a yellow marble base. It shows a very pensive emperor Napoleon I seated and looking gloomily into the future. What is he pondering? Perhaps his last empire. Quite possibly he is wondering about his personal hygiene. Now, Napoleon was exquisitely fastidious. His ablutions every day extended to a body rub of his favourite cologne. In exile at St Helena supplies ran out and his devoted servants had to concoct a ersatz version out of the materials there at hand. Apparently the emperor was satisfied. The descendants of J. M. Farina still make the original cologne and if you are so minded, you can experience its fragrance from any of today’s major stores.

The Lichfield Fine Art Sale is on Thursday 4th January at 10.30am. The public preview is Wednesday 3rd January from 9.30am to 7.30pm and on the sale day from 9am. Phone 01543 251081 for further information and catalogue requests.

View Catalogue >