A Lot to Love: Our Fine Art Auction Favourites

With so many fascinating pieces in our upcoming Fine & Decorative Arts Auction, we’ve asked the team to share their favourite lots and what makes them special. From Bridget Riley’s mesmerising Op Art and intriguing historical discoveries to colourful watercolours and beautifully crafted studio pottery, discover our auction highlights and the stories behind the pieces that caught our eye.

Catherine: Lot 17

To find four miniatures of this size on ivory with such detail and good colour is unusual. They still have exceptionally bright colours, and the exquisite detailing of the jewellery and the textiles in particular, is incredibly fine - I could stare at them for ages!

David: Lot 32

Who is the guilty one here? The Jackdaw or the Jack Russell?

Waldemar Januszczak says ‘There are a million mysteries in art…”

I have a feeling Waldemar wouldn’t like this, I do.

Katy: Lot 184

Bridget Riley’s Descending is a brilliant example of her pioneering exploration of ‘Op’ art, transforming a simple pattern into something strangely disorientating. I love how the bold, rhythmic composition seems to shift before your eyes, drawing you in until you find yourself completely absorbed in its hypnotic effect…it’s surprisingly hard to look away.

As one of Britain’s most celebrated contemporary artists, Riley’s work remains highly sought after on the art market, while its striking graphic quality makes it an exceptional addition to a modern interior...and certainly a conversation piece for any dinner party!

Daisy: Lot 188

I love the way Noel Leaver brings this Moroccan city to life, from the play of light and shadow to the layers of architecture that give the scene such wonderful depth. The colours are beautiful, and the more you look, the more little details you discover – I can imagine myself wandering through those streets!

Allard: Lot 195

Languishing for decades as a doorstop, I instantly recognised this Ming Dynasty lacquered gilt figure as Guanyin, the androgynous deity associated with mercy and children. Here she is warding off negativity and obstacles, her serene features extending comfort down the centuries. 

Emma: Lot 242

My favourite lot is Lot 242, a traditional Māori hei tiki. This Pounamu pendant is a sacred symbol of Māori culture, depicting Tiki - the first man and ancestor of humankind. Historically, hei tiki have been passed down through generations as cherished taonga (treasures), but they were also among the early objects traded between Māori and European visitors. In keeping with this, the vendor’s grandfather acquired Lot 242 while visiting New Zealand as part of the Merchant Navy. 

As this Māori hei tiki in pounamu comes to auction, we hope it will find its way home to Aotearoa New Zealand, reconnecting this historic piece with the land and culture from which it originates.

Dawn: Lot 271

With autumn upon us, this Michael Cardew dairy bowl has caught my eye as the perfect vessel for proving a loaf of homemade bread! Its earthy yellow and green glazes and organic decoration have a wonderfully rustic charm.

Fancy a closer look?

All lots can be explored in our online catalogue or viewed in person during our viewing days, beginning Thursday 22nd October, ahead of the auction on Wednesday 28th October.