Historic painting sets auction tone
Author: Richard Brewster | Posted: 1st November, 2013
An historic painting of Lady Isabella Louisa Parry (wife of admiral, Arctic explorer and hydrographer Sir William Parry) and two of her children Isabella and Lucy will be a highlight of Amanda Addams Auctions sale on from 6.30pm Monday at 344 High Street Kew.
Edward Parker Bedwell, who had served with Parry aboard HMS La Hogue during enemy naval actions in America in 1814, painted the watercolour in 1838 – the year before Lady Parry died two days after the last of her 10 children (twin boys) were still born.
Born in 1791, from the age of 16 Bedwell was a career seaman who rose to the rank of lieutenant before retiring on half pay in 1815.
In later life, he became a proficient artist and in 1846 sketched and then painted Queen Victoria’s reception at the Island of Jersey (where he lived) in which his son Frederick and wife Harriet Drew, lady in waiting to the queen, appear.
The auction contains several other notable paintings including Max Mannix’s oils Swinging To and Fro and Tattle Tale, Norman Lindsay’s lithograph Femininity and Wendy Sharpe’s Self-portrait with TV, Circe Talking to a Spirit and Christmas Day.
There also is an Arthur Boyd etching Waterhole with Birds near Alice Springs and a Dora Wilson pastel Seated Child with Toy.
Other artists to feature include Carlyle Jackson, Charles Bannon, Reg Preston, Robert Langley and Arch Cuthbertson.
Much of the art comes from the Queensland based Constantine Vlad collection – purchased from Amanda Addams Auctions sales about 10 years ago before they moved to Cairns.
There are several estates involved in the auction including that of Ascot Vale’s former Flemington and Caulfield racecourses bookmaker Ernest Williamson who retired about 30 years ago.
His estate contains large crystal pieces, designer hats and footwear and has been consigned by the executor, an attorney from Idaho in the United States.
Other estates, including that of Marcia De Groot, feature glassware and bottles by Galle, Lalique, Sabino, Murano and Bennini.
There also are Hagenauer cat bronzes, an unusually shaped silver plate kettle and a 14-carat yellow gold multi-coloured hinged bangle featuring white opal, green jade, red garnet, black onyx, turquoise and blue sapphire stones.
Items produced by major antique ceramic and pottery manufacturers during the 18th and 19th centuries are featured and include such well-known names as Azengruber, Zaccagnini, Royal Worcester, Moorcroft, Royal Doulton, Royal Albert, Noritake, Goebel and Wedgwood.
Victorian, Edwardian and arts and crafts furniture such as side tables, sofas and armchairs also is for sale.
