William Henry Bartlett Painting Sails into Top Spot at Mallams’ 29 March Modern Living Sale

Last week’s Modern Living Sale, hosted by the Cheltenham saleroom, saw some strong bidding and total sales of £83,770 were achieved.

The top selling lot was an ‘Untitled boating scene with figures’ (lot 222) by British artist and draughtsman, William Henry Bartlett (1858-1932). This signed oil on panel painting was dated ’12 and had a faded paper label and Christie’s stencilled stock number to the reverse.  Estimated at £2000-£3000, it clearly piqued the interest of bidders, with the winning phone bid of £4400 coming from a UK private buyer.

A bronze sculpture (lot 112) by Belgian artist Odile Kinart (b.1945), also performed well, selling to an overseas commission bidder for £2600, more than five times top estimate.

A small collection from Cleeve House in Worcestershire featured in the sale and one item, lot 35, an oak ‘Shenberrow’ sideboard by Gordon Russell (1892-1980) was of particular interest to bidders. With three central drawers and two cupboards, this handsome item was estimated at £800-£1200 but the hammer eventually fell to a private UK bidder for double top estimate.

One item from the Paul Whitfield collection also featured in the sale, and this proved popular. Lot 313, a striking pottery vase decorated with peacocks and leaves by Edward Porter for William De Morgan (1839-1917), had a conservative estimate of £200-£400 but a UK phone bidder had to place a bid of £1400 to secure it.

Chloe Wood, Modern Living sale specialist, said “We had a large number of quality, decorative items coming from good estates with full provenance and that, combined with a range of price points to suit all budgets, ensured the sale was really well received.”

Mallams is now accepting entries for its next Modern Living Sale taking place on 16 August 2023. If you have any items of interest, please call 01242 235712 or email Chloe Wood, at chloe@mallams.co.uk.

All prices are subject to a 30% buyers' premium (VAT inclusive).