1. A tinplate toy
A tinplate flywheel-drive ‘Africa’ postal cart.
In a busy week of auctions across the UK, Special Auction Services’ January 29 675-lot sale of toy collectables will include this tinplate flywheel-drive ‘Africa’ postal cart. Produced between 1889-1918 by model-maker Lehmann, it was inspired by word from the new German colonies in Africa that ostriches were used as saddle animals. Missing reins and string for the flywheel-drive, the piece is guided at £400-600 at SAS in Newbury, Berkshire. View the lot on thesaleroom.com.
2. A John Knibb clock
A late 17th century ebonised bracket clock.
This late 17th century ebonised bracket clock by John Knibb of Oxon will star in Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood’s sale in Exeter on January 29-30. Measuring 16in (40cm) high (with the handle up), the phase IV design clock has an eight-day duration, double-fusee and five-pillar movement. It is estimated at £30,000-40,000. A member of the illustrious Knibb clockmaking family of London and Oxford, John was apprenticed in c.1664 to his brother, the famous Joseph Knibb, who at the time had his workshop in Oxford. When Joseph moved to London c.1670, John took on the running of the Oxford workshop, receiving the Freedom of the City in 1672. The clocks John made resemble those of his brother and he obtained cases from the same London source. View the lot on thesaleroom.com.
3. A Lowry sketch
A 1962 Lowry sketch of 'Girl pushing three children in a pram'.
A 1962 pencil on paper, Girl pushing three children in a pram, signed and dated by Laurence Stephen Lowry (1887-1976) will be offered at Forum Auctions’ Editions and Works on Paper 1500-2018 sale on January 29. From a private collection, with provenance to dealers Richard Green Gallery and Trinity House Paintings, the 7.5 x 9.75in (19 x 25cm) work is estimated at £10,000-15,000. View the lot on thesaleroom.com.
4. A 17th century portrait miniature
A 17th century portrait miniature of a gentleman by Cornelius Johnson.
Chorley’s first ‘Country House’ sale of the year takes place at Prinknash Abbey Park in Gloucestershire on January 29-30 and will feature select contents from a Grade I-listed Georgian home in Worcestershire. Ombersley Court was built for the 1st Lord Sandys between 1723-26 by Francis Smith of Warwick and remained in the family until recently. Among the lots is this 17th century portrait miniature of a gentleman by Cornelius Johnson (1593-1661), court painter to Charles II which is estimated at £2000-3000. Also among the lots is a copy of A Curious Herbal illustrated book by Elizabeth Blackwell (1782) estimated at £8000-10,000. View the auction at thesaleroom.com.
