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A museum quality collection of early 14th and 15th Century Italian panels (as well as a new jewellery department)

Posted On: 25 Nov 2023 by Jotham Thodiyil

A newly discovered early 15th century Italian masterpiece by Battista di Biagio Sanguigni, a very rare panel by the Master of Monte Oliveto (c. 1320), and a Rubens -- these works are a small sample of two museum-quality collections of early paintings which Sloane Street Auctions are bringing to sale on November 30th. These collections were assembled privately in England and Scotland over the last 50 years. Very rarely are this many fine early paintings seen together outside of museums, and several of these works have illustrious royal, aristocratic, and museum provenances and exhibition histories. Sloane Street Auctions welcomes Stephen Giles, with his 40 years of experience. His input into Sloane Street Auctions has coincided with 3 large private consignments of jewellery – his expertise invaluable. Spot the Cartier , Van Cleef and Arpels and Pateks to name a few. An academic gentleman’s collection of ancient and modern Indian and Islamic objects and paintings adds an ancient exotic flavour to the sale. A repaired Isfahan large 17th century charger keeps winking as I walk past with the lustre of sunlit glazes. And for those of you headed abroad for Christmas – upgrade your luggage with a selection from a private collection of over 40 rarified suitcases etc by Louis Vuitton etc...Hoping you enjoy the catalogue and come to view – the weekends before the sale should be open and if you call us first we might let you park privately behind the building in Cavaye Place!

A museum quality collection of early 14th and 15th Century Italian panels (as well as a new jewellery department)

Sloane Street Auctions’ November 30th sale represents a collection of the finest old master paintings to be sold this season in London.

The single owner collection was assembled in the 1970s and 1980s of exceptional early Italian and Northern paintings including works previously exhibited at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. From Rubens to associates of Giotto (Giovanni di Pietro).

There are two spectacular secular 15th century Italian pictures by Giovanni di Pietro and Niccolo Giolfino. They are exceedingly rare as non-religious Italian paintings of a time when the Church was responsible for the patronage of most of the art of the period.

There is a circa 1320 crucifixion by the Master of Monte Oliveto, an artist who has only appeared at auction three times in the last fifty years, and who is traditionally considered to have worked directly with Duccio.

The collection also includes a marvellous scene of ‘Philosophers measuring a planispheric projection’ with provenance including the Durazzo Palace, Genoa, and included in the Rubens catalogue raisonné by Jaffé, in addition to an attribution to Jan van den Hoecke by Bert Schepers.

Over fifty works have also been consigned by a nobleman of Kensington, including a monumental work on panel by the 15th century Veronese painter, Gian Maria Falconetto and a tender Lowry of a small dog exhibited in the seminal Walker Gallery Lowry show in Liverpool (1970). The collection also includes a very fine silver and wood turned bowl by the most famous silversmith of the early 20th century, Omar Ramsden.

The jewellery department has exquisite Cartier, Van Cleef, as well as more accessible jewels consigned from private collections. Highlights include a pair of Art Deco chandelier diamond earrings (£30,000 - £50,000) and 15 carat cabochon emerald drop pendant with a platinum diamond set and emerald cap (£10,000 - £15,000).

Local consignments also include two private collections of Indian, Islamic, and contemporary Middle Eastern art, spanning from antiquity to the present day.

Sloane Street Auction’s significant expansion into their Beaufort Street / Fulham Road Chelsea saleroom combined with no seller’s fees, has resulted in museum worthy items on view at their Chelsea / Fulham Road branch, from November 14th until the day of the auction, November 30th.