7th Jul, 2020 10:00
Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Unshaken)
87
[M] A PORTRAIT MAQUETTE OF THE FIGUREHEAD FOR H.M.S. JAMES WATT BY HELLYER & SONS, PORTSMOUTH, CIRCA 1847 AND BELIEVED DISPLAYED AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851
A PORTRAIT MAQUETTE OF THE FIGUREHEAD FOR H.M.S. JAMES WATT BY HELLYER & SONS, PORTSMOUTH, CIRCA 1847 AND BELIEVED DISPLAYED AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851
of bust height and depicting Watt as a Roman in gilt-edged toga with shoulder pin, scrolled support, mounted to display base (conserved and refinished) -- 29in. (74cm.) high
Hellyer & Son were the principal naval - and mercantile - carvers and designers of the 19th century producing the figureheads for some of the greatest ships of the age including HMS Warrior and Cutty Sark. The designs for HMS James Watt survive in the National Collection and closely ape this maquette. The firm displayed some seventeen carvings at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and, although no list has survived (the catalogue entry merely stating the number), the 91-gun James Watt had been re-named on the stocks in 1847 (from Audacious) in the inventor's honour and it is unthinkable that such a significant and recent commission wouldn't have been present. Displayed in the 'Designers' section, this is believed to be the only Hellyer carving to survive from the Great Exhibition to date. For a history of the H.M.S.James Watt please see lot 85, which is a picture by De Simone of her lying in the Bay of Naples exercising her guns.
Sold for £13,640
Estimated at £12,000 - £18,000
(inc. buyer's premium of 24%)
Condition Report
Shoulders restored, paint refinished overall, stand later.
We are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of this property. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Charles Miller Ltd is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue. NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD “AS IS” IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE.
A PORTRAIT MAQUETTE OF THE FIGUREHEAD FOR H.M.S. JAMES WATT BY HELLYER & SONS, PORTSMOUTH, CIRCA 1847 AND BELIEVED DISPLAYED AT THE GREAT EXHIBITION OF 1851
of bust height and depicting Watt as a Roman in gilt-edged toga with shoulder pin, scrolled support, mounted to display base (conserved and refinished) -- 29in. (74cm.) high
Hellyer & Son were the principal naval - and mercantile - carvers and designers of the 19th century producing the figureheads for some of the greatest ships of the age including HMS Warrior and Cutty Sark. The designs for HMS James Watt survive in the National Collection and closely ape this maquette. The firm displayed some seventeen carvings at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and, although no list has survived (the catalogue entry merely stating the number), the 91-gun James Watt had been re-named on the stocks in 1847 (from Audacious) in the inventor's honour and it is unthinkable that such a significant and recent commission wouldn't have been present. Displayed in the 'Designers' section, this is believed to be the only Hellyer carving to survive from the Great Exhibition to date. For a history of the H.M.S.James Watt please see lot 85, which is a picture by De Simone of her lying in the Bay of Naples exercising her guns.
Auction: Maritime and Scientific Models, Instruments & Art (Unshaken), 7th Jul, 2020
Unless government advice changes, we will be proceeding with our 7th July sale, starting at 10am, as a live webcast. Please note the following changes to our usual format:
THIS SALE WILL BE CONDUCTED LIVE ONLINE ONLY
Viewing by appointment only at our Fulham offices. Please call 020 7806 5530 or email enquiries@charlesmillerltd.com to make an appointment.
You will not be able to bid live in the room. Absentee bids may be left via the website or using a bid form or you can bid via one of three online platforms. Unfortunately, we cannot offer telephone bidding for this sale
- UKAuctioneers.com – this service offers a choice of either paying a one-off £3.95 flat fee for the sale and no further charges; or 3% of the hammer price. Charles Miller Ltd will refund successful buyers who bid via the £3.95 flat fee
- The-Saleroom.com – charges 5% of the hammer price
- Invaluable.com – charges 3% of the hammer price
Lots may not be collected on the day of sale. Collection begins from 10am, Wednesday, 8th July and must be booked in advance.You may also appoint a third party or a shipper to collect on your behalf. Please note that we require your written authority to release to a third party.
Payment is due in sterling at the conclusion of the sale and before purchases can be released. We cannot accept payment in cash at this time. Our preferred method of payment is by electronic bank transfer and amounts over £2,000 must be made by this method. There is a limit of £2,000 on debit cards and £300 on credit cards.
Invoice of under £300 may be paid through our website: https://www.charlesmillerltd.com/account/makepayment
Viewing
VIEWING BY APPOINTMENT ONLY
You may view by appointment at our Imperial Road Studios during office hours - please call on +44 (0)20 7806 5530 or email enquiries@charlesmillerltd.com to make an appointment.
