A fine oak Mary Magdalene from the southern Netherlands, c.1500, part of the Jonathan Horne collection offered by Houlston.
Works include a kneeling family group in polychromed limewood from England, c.1610, a limewood Virgin and Child from Upper Swabia, c.1490-1520, two English oak angels, c.1450-80, and a fine oak Mary Magdalene from the Southern Netherlands c.1500.
It is part of a private collection built up by the late dealer Jonathan Horne, well known for his trade in early English pottery. During his career he worked with museums and private collectors and released annual exhibition catalogues for nearly 30 years. From 2001-04 he served as chairman of The British Antique Dealers’ Association (BADA) and was awarded an MBE shortly before his death in 2010.
Is it strange that a dealer so devoted to the field of pottery also collected carving? Dealer David Houlston, who is offering the collection from his website, thinks not. “It’s not just the genre, it’s the period you get attached to”, he says.
Houlston is a former Bonhams’ specialist in oak furniture. He opened his dealership last year with his wife Carolyn, previously a textile specialist at Phillips.
A familiar face in the market, Houlston had known Horne and his family for many years, making his business an obvious choice for selling the bulk of the collection.
“We are lucky that he was buying these pieces when they were more attainable”, Houlston adds. “Some of these are museum pieces.”
Items are available online with viewings in the Cotswolds by arrangement. Prices range from around £2000-50,000.
Houlston launched the Horne collection to mark the dealership’s election to BADA.
After setting up last year, plans for this year include continuing to source antiques that can be used in the home as well as specialist pieces for collectors. There will also be an increasing focus on the textiles side of the business.
