Lot 10

A rare George II carved giltwood cabinet stand

Charlie Thomas, UK Group Director for House Sales and Private & Iconic Collections: "Collections like this one from Meldon Park are exceptionally rare, having never been on the market before and remaining in the family since the house was built in 1832. But amongst all the treasures I would love to own, there is one lot which I covet most of all, and that is the George II carved giltwood cabinet stand in the manner of Henry Flitcroft. Although no longer with the cabinet it was originally made for, its proportions, colour and the wonderful execution of the carving and gilding make this lot stand out.

"The distinct design of the eagle surmounted supports point very much to Flitcroft and can be compared to a table with eagle supports supplied by William Kent to the 2nd Earl of Litchfield for Ditchley House, Oxfordshire (1740-2) now at the Victoria and Albert Museum, London, as well as a pair of tables with winged eagle supports sold in the Anne and Gordon Getty sale by Christie’s New York on 22 October 2022 (lot 449).  

"Henry Flitcroft worked under architect William Kent, becoming his eventual successor. Flitcroft benefited hugely from the backing of Lord Burlington, who noticed his talent, and by 1720 Flitcroft was Burlington's draughtsman and general architectural assistant, whose interests and influence are arguably responsible for the Palladian style. As well as providing designs for Kent, Flitcroft had an impressive client base of his own, including The Duchess of Marlborough, the 4th Earl of Shaftesbury and the Duke of Cumberland, son of George II."

Lot 14

A painting by Jacob George Strutt (British, 1790-1864)

Leo Webster, Picture Specialist: "Jacob George Strutt was born in Colchester, and it is suggested that he trained under John Constable, given their proximity and stylistic similarities – Strutt being best known for his British landscapes and woodland scenes. The present work was painted in 1845, at which time Strutt and his son, Arthur John Strutt, had established a studio in Rome.  The city, its ancient history and the surrounding campagna provided great inspiration to both artists, with them even dabbling in some amateur archaeology.  The present work shows the triumphal Arch of Constantine, completed in 315AD and built to commemorate Constantine the Great’s victory over the then reigning Emperor Maxentius. The 19th century saw the rise of the artist traveller, and this painting is a classic example of the genre with its historical and topographical interest, but also the real sense of warmth captured through Strutt’s sun-baked palate."

Lot 28

A pair of George III mahogany knife urns

Charles Graham-Campbell, Director of Bonhams Scotland: "It is highly probable that these urns were ordered by Isaac Cookson when he built Meldon Park in 1832. They are in wonderful original condition after the classical style popularised by Robert Adam in the late 18th century. They are notoriously difficult for cabinet makers to make and therefore show the skill and craftmanship involved. They would therefore have been very expensive and more likely to have been used to display one’s wealth and standing rather than practical objects. As a result they are rare, and it is now becoming even harder to find such good examples from the zenith of English furniture making.

"Both urns retain their original interiors but are fitted for spoons, not knives. There are four graduated tiers, and each can accommodate 41 different sized spoons. Again, when open and glistening with silver they would have been even more impressive to visitors."

Lot 34

A bronze by John Graham Lough (British, 1789-1876)

Charles Graham-Campbell, Director of Bonhams Scotland: "The inspiration for the subject comes from Shakespeare’s Macbeth when Duncan’s horses attack each other to represent that the natural order has been upset. 

"John Graham Lough was a Northumbrian sculptor and was actively working at the time Meldon Park was built. It would have been very probable that the highly successful businessman, Isaac Cookson, purchased this bronze for Meldon. Whether it was due to his love of horses or the fact that he had obtained the status of country gentleman, rising and challenging the natural order,  is unknown.  

What is certain is that Lough was a very able sculptor working at the Royal Academy and created some colossal works, often taking inspiration from the Elgin Marbles. We should have been more familiar with his name as he was given the commission to carve the lions at the base of Nelson’s Column but turned this down. This bronze certainly shows the extraordinary skill of Lough as a sculptor and a rare chance to see an example of his work."

Lot 45

A George III provincial two-handled presentation cup

Gordon Mcfarlan, Specialist in Chinese Ceramics & Works of Art and Silver: "This impressive and locally made silver race cup is one of the highlights of the Meldon Park silver safe. Made in Newcastle in 1804, it was won by a young Isaac Cookson, the builder of Meldon Park. A carefully engraved inscription on the cup tells the story: 

"This cup has a wonderful band of engraved vines around the rim, executed in the then novel technique of 'bright-cut' engraving. This form of engraving used newly developed Sheffield steel tools to cut sharp reflective facets into the surface.  This decoration positively sparkles in subdued lighting and so we can be confident that Cookson gave this cup pride of place on his sideboard so he could admire it over many a candle lit dinner."

Lot 97

A painting attributed to Giuseppe Bonito (Castellammare 1707-1789 Naples) 

Lisa Greaves, Director of Old Master Paintings: "In beautiful, untouched state, a seated man holding a lute depicts a typical Neapolitan folk musician of a type often founds in the work of artists such as Pietro Fabris, Filippo Falciatore or Gaspare Traversi, as well as Giuseppe Bonito.  All these painters are associated with depictions of everyday life in the bustling city of Naples, a subject that appealed to a local and international clientele alike.  Shown here with his instrument presumably at his feet, the figure allows the viewer a glimpse of the hilt of his sword, an object of which he is rightly proud."

Lot 139

A large Italian 18th century japanned and parcel-gilt bureau cabinet

Madeleine Cater, Cataloguer for Bonhams Private Collections & House Sales and Valuations: "This bureau cabinet, with its rich green japanned body off-set with golden parcel-gilt decoration, is one of my favourites from the collection of the Private Scottish Estate. The imitation of Asian lacquer by European craftsman represents a specific moment in the trade relationship between the two continents and their decorative output. Lacquer objects were first imported into Europe by the Portuguese in the late 16th century and, as trade routes grew, the demand for these items grew exponentially. Authentic lacquer required sap from the tree Rhus vernicifera which was found in Asia but not in Europe. To keep up, European furniture makers and decorators tried to replicate the lacquer effect using Western materials and techniques which over time became known as ‘japanning’."

Collections, Including the Selected Contents of Meldon Park takes place on 2 February. Browse the sale and register to bid now.