A late 18th century Tongan ‘Kali’ or ‘Kalimasi’ / ‘Kali Toloni’ headrest

Often the stories accompanying the finds can be of equal importance to their value and their fascination. One such piece is the late 18th century Tongan ‘Kali’ or ‘Kalimasi’ / ‘Kali Toloni’ headrest (Lot 633). It bears an inaccurate label along the bamboo headrest which states that it is of ‘African origin’.

The provenance stated in the auction catalogue, dates the history back to the 1930’s, to auctioneer, dealer and collector, Mr William Young. On the day that it was acquired by Mr Young, it appears that he was viewing and attending the auction where it was being offered for sale, and by sheer chance was sitting next to the direct descendants. They later, after the auction, over a cup of tea, talked about their eccentric grandfather and his habit of riding around the town of Harrogate in Yorkshire, in his trap, pulled by his ‘pet’ Zebra! It is now sad to say, that attending auctions all over the country is fast becoming another part of the ‘old way’ of dealing. Viewing items online, bidding over the internet or telephone has drastically reduced the then 60,000 miles per annum round trip of country auctions, shops and visiting clients. Not attending auctions in person has lost those wonderful interactions along the way, not to mention the many characters populating the smoke-filled world of dealers and auctioneers. Attending auctions provided the opportunity to learn a considerable amount from stories, anecdotes and simple lessons in why an object was genuine or not, at source, from some of the best dealers in the country at that time, who were ending their very long careers, often started just after the war years, when so many thousands of pieces flooded through the auction network around the UK.   

An Ancient Central American Bird Figure

Central America has long held a fascination with European collectors, and early ‘cabinet of curiosities’ date back to the Renaissance courts of Europe, including Spain, The Netherlands and Germany. The small group presented here, comprising an ancient Central American bird figure alongside shell pierced masks (Lot 638), are both unusual and fine quality artefacts. It was that all important ‘colour’ and ‘patina’ which was one of the major influences on the collector that they came from, an old friend, Mr Seward Kennedy, an American lawyer, and ‘lifelong’ collector, bordering on the compulsive and without doubt ‘eccentric’ touches. While his working life was split between first class flights, between London, Paris, New York and Texas, once he was retired, a new philosophy had sprung into action - the cheapest flights possible and never paying for lunch or dinner! Certainly, in the 15 years of dining out together, the frugal life had help fund his passion of collecting. With a great ‘eye’, the pieces which entered the collection would be defined by touch, feel, colour and patina. Over the years and over a lot of pleasurable meals, dealing or swapping, buying and selling back and forth flourished. There was one piece that was sold in New York one day, only to be bought back later that week in London due to ‘seller’s remorse’! Dealers are far too familiar with the more common, buyer’s remorse, not the other way round! 

A 'Byobu' Japanese Screen

Being able to take an object away from its intended use, can have many interesting display possibilities of course. A particular favourite in the auction is Lot 728, the large and impressive eight fold ‘Byobu’ Japanese Screen with nine ‘Manchurian’ Cranes. Although of course, the screen was intended for floor use, as a division or screen which the owner could move and adapt to their own purposes, it has been great fun having the screen 'wall mounted’ in various settings. The immense size of the screen, displayed flat upon a wall, creates the most amazing ‘picture’ scene, and if one is lucky enough to have a very tall wall, then displaying the screen high up, gives one the view of looking up to the huge cranes on the left, descending in flight, which is truly dramatic. 

A Rare 'Adelie' Penguin Egg from the Australian Antarctic Expedition of 1911

From the age of travel, exploration and a dose of human endeavour stretched to the limits, comes (Lot 642) a very rare ‘Adelie’ Penguin Egg, from the famous Australian 1911-14 Antarctic Expedition of 1911. It was collected by Francis Howard Bickerton (1889 - 1954) an explorer, soldier, entrepreneur, big game hunter, aviator and film maker, to name just a few of his interests. After the 1911-14 exploration he was recruited by Sir Ernest Shackleton’s ‘Endurance’ expedition. Well known for his partying exploits of the 1920’s, Vita Sackville-West fell passionately in love with Bickerton, and asked him to become the father of her child (an honour which he declined) however, she did take Bickerton as the model for Leonard Anquetil, the hero in her best novel, ‘The Edwardians’ published in 1930.

An Egyptian Wooden Headrest from the Ramessid Period

Speaking of provenance, searching for interesting historical facts about an object takes time, however, sometimes one has to admit defeat. One such object is Lot 669, an Egyptian wooden headrest, dating to the 13th - 12th century BC from the Ramessid Period. We do have some information about its provenance. By repute it belonged to Judge Herbert Blum (1900 - 1992) of Baltimore, USA. It was then later in the possession of Barbara Kornblatt (b. 1931) niece of Judge Blum, before it was sold through Harris auction house in Baltimore in the 1990’s, as part of an ex British collection. However, it has been frustrating to never find the earlier provenance, which is alluded to by the now lost museum or collectors rectangular information card, which had been attached to the front base of the headrest by two nails - part of that descriptive card is still beneath the nails. 

A Small Collection of Stonehenge and Standing Sacred Stone Paintings

Of local interest comes a small collection of Stonehenge and Standing Sacred Stone paintings depicting the famous monument (Lots 734, 737, 738 & 740). Offering views from various angles, they convey the power of the site through the artists depictions. 

A 'Ship Made' Coconut Husker Recovered from HMS Adventure in 1775

Finally, an auction of a ‘cabinet of curiosities’ would not be complete without a genuine ‘attic’ discovery. Lot 691 is an important artefact recovered from HMS Adventure in 1775, after Captain James Cook’s second voyage to the Pacific. It is a ‘ship made’ Coconut Husker, bearing a copper plaque reading, 'A memento from The Sandwich Islands Coconut Husker used aboard HMS Adventure and recovered from The Royal Dockyard Deptford 1775'. The Husker comes from a Private Scottish collection, having lain for many years hidden in a crate, in a Scottish attic. 

I hope that those fans and devoted followers of all things rare, historical, interesting and unusual, with an ‘eye’ for colour, patina, a story, a ‘statement’ piece’ be it decorative, or simply a beautiful object, have a chance to bid and own a lot or two from this collection which has been incredibly pleasurable to bring together over many years.

Auction Details

Thursday 5 December, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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VIEWING:

• Viewing in Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
• Friday 29 November: 10am-4pm
• Saturday 30 November: 10am-3pm
• Sunday 1 December: 10am-3pm
• Monday 2 December: 10am-4pm
• Tuesday 3 December: 9am-4pm
• Wednesday 4 December: 9am-4pm
• Dreweatts Remote Viewing Service | Available from Friday 29 November