Highlights from our November 25th Fine Art & Antiques Auction

It's easy to see why Live Steam Models appeal to so many people. With all of the vivid colours and complex features, not to mention the hours of creative fun that can be had putting together the rails and running the engine, as it pulls vehicles through an imaginary terrain. Building up model steam trains can be a fascinating pastime.

Live Steam Models are highly sought after by collectors and fans all over the world, especially when the model is in pristine condition. At our most recent Fine Art & Antiques sale, we had the pleasure of seeing a few of these fantastic finds.

One of the wonderful models (seen below) was a Maxwell Hemmens live steam model. It is a 11/2" scale model of a Merlin Vierzon portable agricultural steam engine with Lincoln green, red and black livery.

 _{Maxwell Hemmens live steam train. Sold for £4,100 at Dawsons.}

Another favourite train amongst bidders on the day was the Maxwell-Hemmens 1" scale live steam model of a showman's engine (below) fitted a brass plaque bearing the legend "J.M.W.M Brookside 1984". Displaying green, black and red livery.

  _{Maxwell-Hemmens 1" scale live steam model. Sold at Dawsons for £3,000.}

How could we not include this Maxwell-Hemmens, 1" live steam scale model of a steam roller? Pictured below, it looks magnificent with a brass plaque bearing the legend R.W.M. Brookside 1984 and painted in Lincoln green, yellow, black and red livery.

 _{Maxwell-Hemmens, an 1" live steam scale model of a steam roller. Sold at Dawsons for £3,000.}

We are privileged to bring to auction many beautiful pieces of Chinese Jade, and the exquisite Jade below is certainly no exception - a large Chinese carved celadon jade Rhyton - possibly from the late Qing dynasty. It is carved in the form of a lotus flower and tied reed with seed pods, flowers, a dragonfly and a swallow carved in high relief. It is mounted on a carved rosewood cloud strewn mountain form stand.

 _{Large Chinese carved celadon jade Rhyton. Sold at Dawsons for £32,000.}

There is always a ripple of delight amongst the Dawsons team when we get the chance to handle a beautiful private collection of fine wine, such as this one. This particular collection consists of a mixed case of wine, including twelve bottles in a shipping case. Inside you will find: Chateau Margaux Grand Vin 1994 (x2), Grand Vin de Chateau Latour 1994 (x2), Chateau Mouton Rothschild 1994 (x2), Chateau Lafite Rothschild 1994 (x2), Chateau Cheval Blanc 1994 (x2) and Chateau Haut Brion 1994 (x2).

 _{A mixed case of wine, twelve bottles in a shipping case. Sold at Dawsons for £3,300}

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We were lucky enough to see another collection at our sale - a combination of twelve Perrier-Jouet Champagne bottles in original boxes with the outer case.

 _{Twelve bottles of 1976 Perrier-Jouet Champagne. Sold at Dawsons for £1,500.}

Another favourite from the sale was a 'Tiffany Studios New York' seven-lamp glass 'Lily' table lamp. This gorgeous lamp shows purple opalescent shades formed as partially opened flower heads, supported on a cast metal base with further opalescent glass lozenges to the border.

 _{'Tiffany Studios New York' seven-lamp glass 'Lily' table lamp. Sold at Dawsons for £3,200.}

Our Fine Art & Antiques sale highlights wouldn't be complete without our Fine Art mentions, and we have some jaw-dropping pictures to share with you! First, we have this Robert McGregor RSA (1847-1922) large oil painting on canvas. It exhibits a family looking at the ceramic wares of a trader and a donkey pulling his cart - a wonderful snapshot into how life must have been all those years ago. _{Robert McGregor RSA (1847-1922) Scottish, a large oil on canvas. Sold at Dawsons for £6,800.}

Next up, we have every animal lover's favourite from the day, a Thierry Poncelet (b. 1946) oil portrait of a Labrador in military uniform. Signed in the lower-left corner and presented in a giltwood frame.

 _{Thierry Poncelet (b. 1946) Belgian, portrait of a Labrador in military uniform. Sold at Dawsons for £4,000}

We have a Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975) piece from a private collection, 'Rangatira II' (from the 'Opposing Forms' series) from 1970. It shows a screen print in colours on TH Saunders wove paper (with watermark), signed 'Artists Copy'.

 _{Barbara Hepworth (1903-1975), 'Rangatira II' (from the 'Opposing Forms' series), 1970. Sold at Dawsons for £3,100.}

Last but certainly not least, we wanted to feature a keen favourite amongst bidders on the day. A Harold Riley (b.1934) charcoal on paper named 'View of the Irwell at Adelphi'. Signed and dated '71 to the lower right corner. This piece is framed and glazed and comes from a private collection with a photocopied letter from the artist to the vendor.

 _{Harold Riley (b.1934) British, ‘View of the Irwell at Adelphi’. Sold at Dawsons for £2,400.}

The team of experts at Dawsons are always happy to provide a free verbal appraisal and auction valuation; regularly consigning an array of wonderful items to our monthly Fine Art & Antiques sale. We can also provide insurance valuations, where required.

Please do get in touch, should you have any fine art or antiques that you are keen to have valued.

We would love to hear from you: 

0207 431 9445 / info@DawsonsAuctions.co.uk