A successful duet at Mallams Art & Music Sale

A successful duet at Mallams Art & Music Sale

Combining two perennial pleasures, Mallams Art & Music sale in Oxford  inspired international interest with over 550 lots of fine art, paintings and watercolours alongside musical instruments and ephemera.

One particular lot sparked considerable interest internationally.  Lot number 524, entitled “St. Agnes”  was catalogued as from the circle of the artist Guido Reni (1575 to 1642). 

This oil on canvas dated from the period and exemplified the influence of the style of baroque classicism which was strongly followed by religious institutions at the time.

After some fierce bidding from multiple international phone lines and on the internet, the hammer came down at an impressive £80,000.

Earlier in the day, lot 153, a painting of a noble woman, also attracted plenty of interest.  The painting, dating a little earlier than the later success of the day, was catalogued as “Circle of the Master of the Countess of Warwick” (active c.1560 – 1570).

This lot was fresh to the market having come from the estate of the late Mrs Enid Boulting (1928 -2021), fashion model, former wife of the film director, Roy Boulting and later wife of the 9^th Earl of Hardwicke.

Despite some areas of restoration and conservation it was very well received and the lot closed at £10,000; five times the auction estimate.

On a more musical note, lot 116, a Lindholm spinet in a painted case more than doubled its £200 to £300 estimate and finally sold for £850.

Rupert Fogden, Director of Fine Art at Mallams said :  “Combining art and music has proved a popular duo especially in this beautiful city steeped in history & culture.  We are delighted with the buoyant sale results.”