Chairman’s Introduction Welcome to Sworders’ 2019 newsletter, where we review another eventful year and look forward to what we hope will be an equally eventful 2020. The year began with the first of two house contents sales, the Collection of Barbara Holliday, removed from ‘The Gales’ in the far, far north west of Cumbria. Mrs Holliday’s particular passion was for the work of late 20th century Royal Academicians. The auction met with an enthusiastic response, a 95% sold rate and was led by works by Mary Fedden and Cumbrian artist Sheila Fell. The summer brought the contents of Alderley House from Gloucestershire, a quintessentially Cotswold manor house, recently furnished in the English country house style. On offer were the extensive contents, ranging from a grand piano to a clay pigeon launcher. In March we opened our London Gallery in Cecil Court, on the edge of Covent Garden; this proved an invaluable asset during our successful Asian Art Auction, which was viewed entirely from there during the week prior to auction. I am also delighted to have been able to recruit several leading and impressive new members of staff, including Luke Macdonald and Stephen Giles. Next year begins with the John Barnett Collection of Scales, an exciting new season of 20th Century auctions and the ever-extraordinary Out of the Ordinary auction in February. Thank you for your much-valued support throughout the year. I look forward to meeting as many of you as possible during 2020. Guy Schooling Chairman

2. The John Barnett Collection of Scales
20th Century Design
johnblack@sworder.co.uk
Out of the Ordinary
markwilkinson@sworder.co.uk
Fine Interiors
British and European Furniture, Works of Art and Books
entries close 17 January
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk
Fine Wine and Port
entries close 7 February
finewine@sworder.co.uk
Modern British & 20th Century Art
entries close 13 March
janeoakley@sworder.co.uk
Asian Art (at the Westbury Mayfair Hotel, London)
entries close 27 March
yexueli@sworder.co.uk
Asian Art - Part 2
entries close 27 March
yexueli@sworder.co.uk
Mid-Century Modern Design
entries close 3 April
johnblack@sworder.co.uk
Sporting Art , Wildlife and Dogs
entries close 17 April
janeoakley@sworder.co.uk
Fine Interiors
British and European Furniture, Works of Art and Silver
entries close 1 May
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk
SPECIALIST AUCTIONS | JANUARY - JUNE 2020
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3. Chairman’s Introduction
Welcome to Sworders’ 2019 newsletter, where we review another eventful year and
look forward to what we hope will be an equally eventful 2020.
The year began with the first of two house contents sales, the Collection of
Barbara Holliday, removed from ‘The Gales’ in the far, far north west of Cumbria.
Mrs Holliday’s particular passion was for the work of late 20th century Royal
Academicians. The auction met with an enthusiastic response, a 95% sold rate
and was led by works by Mary Fedden and Cumbrian artist Sheila Fell.
The summer brought the contents of Alderley House from Gloucestershire,
a quintessentially Cotswold manor house, recently furnished in the English
country house style. On offer were the extensive contents, ranging from
a grand piano to a clay pigeon launcher.
In March we opened our London Gallery in Cecil Court, on the edge of
Covent Garden; this proved an invaluable asset during our successful
Asian Art Auction, which was viewed entirely from there during the
week prior to auction.
I am also delighted to have been able to recruit several
leading and impressive new members of staff, including Luke
Macdonald and Stephen Giles.
Next year begins with the John Barnett Collection of Scales,
an exciting new season of 20th Century auctions and the
ever-extraordinary Out of the Ordinary auction in February.
Thank you for your much-valued support throughout
the year. I look forward to meeting as many of you as
possible during 2020.
Guy Schooling
Chairman
Contents
2 The London
Gallery
3 Hertford Office
4&5 New Arrivals
6 20th Century Design &
Modern Art at Sworders
7 20th Century Design
8 Modern British & 20th Century
Art
9 Asian Art
10 Out of the Ordinary
11 Jewellery
12 Sworders’ House Sales
13 Fine Interiors
14&15 2019 Highlights

4. The London
Gallery
It has been a long-held ambition for Sworders to
attain a central London presence, this was realised
when, at the beginning of the year, we acquired
15 Cecil Court.
Located in the very heart of London’s theatre
district, adjacent to vibrant Covent Garden and
Leicester Square, Cecil Court is truly one of
London’s hidden gems. The picturesque Victorian
thoroughfare with its esoteric new and second-
hand book shops, antique shops and art galleries,
already a favourite amongst collectors, has proved
the perfect setting for our smart new Gallery
space.
The 700 square feet of exhibition space has
hosted evening previews for our spring auction
of Modern & Contemporary Prints, the autumn
auction of Modern British and 20th Century Art
and a display of contemporary works by second
year students from The Slade School of Fine Art.
Our successful November Asian Art Auction and
December London Sale were viewed solely within
the Gallery.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 10.30am-5pm
late opening accommodated upon request
15 Cecil Court | London | WC2N 4EZ
T: 020 3971 2500
E: london@sworder.co.uk
@sworderslondon
4

5. Hertford Office
Sworders’ Hertford Office is situated in St Andrew
Street in the historic heart of the county town.
The team, led by Daniel Webster and Alex
Froggatt, offer valuation and sales advice across
Hertfordshire, North London, Bedfordshire
and beyond to private clients and professional
colleagues.
Every Thursday we offer an ‘open house’ providing
free auction valuations from 10am - 4pm on a
wide range of objects, including watches, clocks,
glassware, furniture, ceramics, silver and works of
art. In addition we hold regular valuation events
with our specialists including Asian art, pictures
and jewellery.
We also conduct successful valuation days in
Harpenden on the last Wednesday of each month.
Senior valuer Daniel Webster has an extensive
and broad-based knowledge, with a particular
interest in wristwatches and the Arts and Crafts
Movement. Alex Froggatt again has a broad-based
knowledge, with a particular interest in 19th and
20th century glassware.
In 2020, Sworders celebrate twenty years in
Hertford. We are proud of the reputation the
office has developed in that time and the changes
and growth that have taken place - it is now
an integral part of the local economy, with a
wonderful reputation.
Opening Times
Monday - Friday 9am-5pm
42 St. Andrew Street | Hertford | SG14 1JA
T: 01992 583 508
E: hertfordoffice@sworder.co.uk
@swordershertford
5

6. Luke Macdonald Stephen Giles
Luke joined after thirteen years as
Head of Furniture and Operations
Director with Cheffins, where
he secured and handled major
consignments and estates.
He joins Sworders as a member
of the board and we welcome
his enormous expertise and
enthusiasm. His role at Sworders
will include business development
- he has a long and distinguished
record of attracting high-quality
consignments from all over the
country and we are confident
he will continue to do so with
Sworders, thus enabling us to
continue our growth across many
disciplines.
A former Director of Jewellery with
international auction rooms in
London and Geneva, Stephen joins
to oversee business development
from our London Gallery.
Whilst his principal expertise lies
with fine jewellery and watches,
Stephen has an extensive broadly
based knowledge including
Chinese works of art, English
furniture and ceramics. He is
available to undertake valuations
and offer his extensive expertise
to clients throughout London and
beyond.
lukemacdonald@sworder.co.uk stephengiles@sworder.co.uk
NewArrivals
6

7. Catrin JonesAlexander Hallett
Alex has many years’ experience
as an auctioneer and valuer. He
joins our Fine Interiors team
working with James Pickup to
continue the impressive growth
in these, our flagship, sales. Alex’s
principal areas of expertise include
English and Continental furniture
and works of art, he also has an
understanding of Asian Art and he
is currently learning Mandarin.
Catrin joins our jewellery
department. Her qualifications
include membership of the
Institute of Registered Valuers
and graduate gemmologist of
the Gemmological Institute of
America. For four years she has
worked for a retail jewellers in
Surrey, as Assistant Manager and
buyer of second-hand and antique
jewellery. She thus brings a great
level of expertise and experience
to our growing department.
alexanderhallett@sworder.co.uk catrinjones@sworder.co.uk
Leah Coley-Fisher
Leah has always had an extensive
interest in the arts, having attained
a BA (Hons) degree in Fine Art from
Bath Spa University and an MA
degree in the History of Art from
Birkbeck, University of London.
She previously worked in a leading
London auction room where she
assisted in the Objects of Vertu
and Jewellery department before
joining us to manage our London
Gallery.
leahcoley-fisher@sworder.co.uk
7

8. 20th Century Design &
Modern Art at Sworders
The continuing popularity of 20th century and contemporary art and design has led us
to further expand our auction programme. We are delighted to announce a range of
new and exciting sales covering the Arts & Crafts Movement, Mid-Century Design and
the very British phenomenon of the Swinging 60s.
In 2020
Tuesday 28 January
20TH CENTURY DESIGN
Tuesday 11 February
OUT OF THE ORDINARY
Tuesday 28 April
MODERN BRITISH AND 20TH
CENTURY ART
Entries close 13 March
Wednesday 27 May
MID-CENTURY AND MODERN
DESIGN
Entries close 3 April
Tuesday 21 July
ARTS AND CRAFTS AND BEYOND
Entries close 5 June
Tuesday 13 October
20TH CENTURY DESIGN
Entries close 28 August
Tuesday 27 October
MODERN BRITISH AND 20TH CENTURY ART
Entries close 11 September
Tuesday 24 November
THE SWINGING SIXTIES
Entries close 25 September
1900
THE ARTS & CRAFTS
MOVEMENT
1910
First World War
1920
1930
1950
1970
2000
1940
1960
1980
ART DECO
Second World War
Festival of Britain
MID CENTURY
MODERN DESIGN
Wall Street Crash
First Man on the Moon
Olympic Games London
THE SWINGING SIXTIES
D-Day
Commercial TV Begins
Invention of the
World Wide Web
England Win the Football
World Cup
Star Wars Premiered
8
A NEW MILLENNIUM

9. 20th Century Design
TUESDAY 28 JANUARY 2020
The 28 January auction includes furniture from the London home and Hampshire retreat of American architect MJ Long
(1939-2018) who together with her husband Colin St John Wilson (1922-2007) designed the British Library in London.
The collection gives a tantalising glimpse into their friendship with artists Eduardo Paolozzi, whose giant bronze ‘Newton’
sits in the British Library courtyard, and RB Kitaj, whose massive tapestry, based on his painting ‘If Not, Not’, hangs in the
Library entrance hall.
Also included are pieces from the collection of Tom Munro, a London-based fashion photographer who continues to work
with many of the leading fashion houses, models and celebrities.
John Black - johnblack@sworder.co.uk 9

10. Modern British &
20th Century Art
The market for 20th Century and Modern British
Art is thriving and dynamic with artists and
artistic styles moving in and out of fashion with
bewildering speed. Sworders’ knowledge and
expertise provide an essential guide through this
exciting and challenging marketplace.
East Anglia has had, perhaps, more imaginative
and successful artists based in the area during
the last 200 years than any other area of the UK,
with the possible exception of Cornwall and St
Ives. We have enjoyed particular success with
Great Bardfield Artists including Eric Ravilious and
Edward Bawden, and with The Benton End School
led by Cedric Morris for whose work we currently
hold the world record auction price of £204,000.
Jane Oakley – janeoakley@sworder.co.uk
FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS
Tuesday 28 April entries close 13 March
Tuesday 27 October entries close 11 September
Sold £50,000 Emily Young (b.1951)
‘THE FORMALITY OF COUPLES’ Stone
Sold £204,000 Cedric Morris (1889-1982) 'FOXGLOVE'
Signed and dated '32 l.l., also signed, inscribed with title
and dated verso, oil on canvas
10

11. Asian Art
As the Chinese economy has flourished, so has the appetite and demand for
Chinese works of art. This is a dynamic sector of the market which requires
considerable skill and expertise to negotiate successfully. Sworders’ Asian Art
auctions, firmly established fixtures in the international auction calendar, are
staged to coincide with Asian Art Weeks in London, when leading dealers
and collectors descend on the capital in May and November.
Our Asian Art department is headed by Yexue Li whose knowledge and
expertise is key to our success. For our clients’ ease and convenience the
auctions are displayed in our central London gallery and conducted in
The Westbury Hotel adjacent to New Bond Street.
Yexue Li – yexueli@sworder.co.uk
FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS
Friday 15 May (at the Westbury Mayfair Hotel, London) and
Wednesday 20 May entries close 27 March
Friday 6 November (at the Westbury Mayfair Hotel, London) and
Wednesday 11 November entries close 4 September
Sold £92,000 A Chinese famille rose charger,
19th century
Sold £485,000 A Chinese imperial inscribed
famille rose wall vase, Qianlong (1736-1795)
Sold £39,500 A Chinese gilt
bronze Mahakala
11

12. The 2020 Out of the Ordinary sale will be the largest ever with
over 500 lots of the weird and the wonderful, including:
Folk Art | Fine Taxidermy | Witchcraft | Macabre | Tribal Art
Medical History | Military Art | Space Travel | Grayson Perry
Waxworks | Magic | Erotica | Mermaids | Punk | Devil Worship
Film Posters | Photography | Pictures | Unusual Signs | Hammer
Horror | Contemporary Art | Circus | Palmistry | Freaks | Glamour
Arcade Machines | Contemporary Sculpture | Marilyn Monroe
Travel History | Motoring Art
We are pleased to announce that the sale will include the
weird and wonderful world of Harry Diamond.
Harry Diamond is an artist, obsessor and visionary who creates
for his own enjoyment, he is an eccentric whose extraordinary
collection is an extension of his personality. We challenge
you to come and be amazed, inspired and delighted by his
extraordinary ‘Le Dark Fantastique’ collection.
Mark Wilkinson - markwilkinson@sworder.co.uk
Out of the Ordinary
Taxidermy rat from Harry Potter and
the Sorcerer’s Stone
Items from the Harry Diamond ‘Le Dark
Fantastique’ Collection.
A 1930s theatrical dragon full head
mask, possibly French
12
2020

13. Sworders’ auctions of Jewellery and Watches are a successful and established fixture. The demand for both
jewellery and wristwatches is international, with buyers from the USA, the Middle and Far East regularly competing,
especially for natural pearls, fine gemstones and designer wristwatches. The market is broad-based with 18th and
19th century pieces as popular as the work of more modern designers such as Sybil Dunlop and Andrew Grima. Our
jewellery team has been strengthened with the arrival of Stephen Giles a former head of a leading London auction
room’s jewellery department. To accommodate the continuing growth and demand, we plan to further develop our
calendar of sales next year.
FORTHCOMING AUCTIONS
Wednesday 8 April - Jewellery, Silver & Luxury Goods entries close 13 March
Tuesday 7 July - Fine Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Handbags entries close 7 May
Wednesday 9 September - Jewellery, Silver & Luxury Goods entries close 14 August
Tuesday 10 November - Fine Jewellery, Watches & Luxury Handbags entries close 11 September
Jewellery
Catriona Smith
catrionasmith@sworder.co.uk
Stephen Giles
stephengiles@sworder.co.uk
Catrin Jones
catrinjones@sworder.co.uk
Sold £4,500 A French late 19th century
diamond set brooch pendant, c.1890
Sold £16,000 An Art Deco single stone diamond
ring, with an old European cut diamond
Sold £8,000 A gentlemen’s 18ct gold Patek
Philippe Calatrava mechanical strap watch
13

14. The two principal criteria to a successful auction remain presentation and
provenance. Our fully illustrated and stylishly presented catalogues offer
the former and a single owner house contents or collection the latter.
Sworders have enjoyed considerable success during the last two
years offering several substantial and eagerly sought-after house
contents for auction.
These auctions are overseen by the senior management team,
who remain as the point of contact for the client, whilst
working closely with our specialist departments to ensure
the highest quality of service and experience.
Our ability to effectively market these auctions,
ensuring they are seen by the right audience, has
resulted in them often exceeding their estimates.
For further advice contact -
Guy Schooling
guyschooling@sworder.co.uk
Luke Macdonald
lukemacdonald@sworder.co.uk
Sworders’ House
Sales
THE PRINCIPAL CONTENTS OF NORTH MYMMS PARK
Tuesday 17 & Wednesday 18 April 2018
THE BARBARA HOLLIDAY COLLECTION
Tuesday 15 January 2019
THE PRINCIPAL CONTENTS OF ALDERLEY HOUSE
Tuesday 23 July 2019
Recent Sworders’
Successes
14

15. Fine Interiors
UPPER SWELL FARM, GLOUCESTERSHIRE
Sworders are delighted to offer the excess contents, following the recent sale, of Upper Swell Farm, the interiors of which
have been curated by interior designer, Felicity Loudon of ‘The Private House’.
The furnishings reflect a painted Swedish style, which include marble top console tables, columns, cupboards, commodes
and mirrors, upholstery, bronzes, clocks, lamps and lighting.
To be offered as a collection within the March Fine Interiors Sale.
Sworders’ flagship auctions remain our Fine Interiors Sales where we offer British and European paintings, furniture and
works of art, which aim to provide homes with lustre and a sense of style and theatre. The catalogues, in a ‘magalogue’
style which illustrate how pieces may look in a domestic setting, continue to set the standard for auction catalogue
presentation.
James Pickup and Alexander Hallett - fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk
THE JAMES BRETT COLLECTION
Over forty years in the business, James has dealt in English and Continental furniture, sculpture and metalwork. He has
made many friends in the trade and created an international following of private clients who trust him for both his
integrity and unerring eye for quality and style. A friend of many years describes him thus ‘He is one of a dying breed,
eccentric in the nicest possible way. He would never wear a pinstripe suit and makes up his own mind about how to do
business’. Ill health has now forced James to part with some of his final treasures.
TUESDAY 10 & WEDNESDAY 11 MARCH 2020
15

16. Sold £25,000 A French kingwood and gilt
bronze-mounted vitrine, by François Linke
Sold £34,500 A Chinese gilt bronze incense
burner, Qing dynasty (1644-1911)
2019 Highlights
Sold £21,000 A yellow and white gold, single
stone, fancy vivid yellow diamond ring
Sold £5,000 A silver beaker, by
William Egan & Sons of Cork 1930
Sold £19,000 Maurice
Guiraud-Rivière (1881-1947),
'The Comet'
16
Sold £16,500 An Ice Age (Pleistocene)
cave bear skeleton
Sold £21,500 Craigie
Aitchison RA (1926-2009)
CRUCIFIXION
Sold £64,000 Cedric Morris
(1889-1982) DROUGHT,
OXFORDSHIRE, 1933

17. Sold £40,000 Emile Claus (Belgian, 1849-1924) A PASTORAL SCENE WITH CHILDREN AND CATTLE
BY A POND, oil on canvas
Sold £122,000 An Italian carved marble
bust of an emperor
Sold £39,500 A Chinese tea bowl, Yongzheng (1723-1735)
Sold £3,700 A pair of Clarice Cliff 'Football'
meiping vases
Sold £2,800 A Chanel matelassé lambskin leather shoulder bag
17
Sold £3,000 A Minton majolica
tortoise teapot and cover
Sold £39,500 Mary Fedden RA (1915-2012)
'GARDEN BUNCH'
Sold £5,000 A late Victorian sapphire and
diamond sunburst brooch/pendant, c.1890

18. Sporting Art, Wildlife
and Dogs
FURTHER ENTRIES INVITED
janeoakley@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
WEDNESDAY 3 JUNE 2020

19. 0
SWORDERS LIVE
Sworders innovative website provides news, views and auction details in an easy to use and lively way. All our
auctions are broadcast live, enabling clients to follow bids and watch lots sell live. Additionally, you may now
bid live on all our auctions with absolutely no additional charges.
All lots are listed and illustrated, making it easy to browse auctions at a time and place that is convenient to
you. There is also the facility to set up your own preferences, so you can request that whenever a lot meeting
your interests comes to auction, an email alert drops directly into your inbox.
Should a lot be of interest to you, there is a simple and straightforward method to leave a commission bid,
while results are published on the afternoon of each auction, enabling you to quickly see the prices realised.
This is also the place to find details of forthcoming auctions or perhaps to delve into past auction results.
www.sworder.co.uk
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20. Stansted Mountfitchet Auction Rooms
Cambridge Road | Stansted Mountfitchet
Essex | CM24 8GE
T: 01279 817778
E: auctions@sworder.co.uk
Hertford
42 St Andrew Street | Hertford | SG14 1JA
T: 01992 583508
E: hertfordoffice@sworder.co.uk
London
15 Cecil Court | London | WC2N 4EZ
T: 0203 971 2500
E: london@sworder.co.uk
Kent
T: 01732 757675
E: kent@sworder.co.uk
@swordersfineart
www.sworder.co.uk
Edward Henry Corbould (1815-1906)
THE CANTERBURY PILGRIMS
Oil on card
Est. £4,000-6,000