New at Sothebys and More

This spectacular Flemish (Antwerp) ebony table cabinet from the 17th century with its embroidered panels, once the property of a gentleman, is to be auctioned tomorrow at Sothebys. It measures 135cm (4ft. 5in) high, 70cm (2ft. 3½in) wide, 37cm (1ft. 2½in) deep and is Lot 37 with an estimate of £8,000 - £12,000.

Here you can see a close up of the internal panels which have vignetted fish or swimming fowl deriving from early engravings.

The mirror is flanked by two 'weeping' trees each of which sits above a crowned carnation.
For more details contact Sothebys, London.

My favourite at auction this week has to be lot 692 at the P F Windibank sale at Dorking Halls, Surrey on 16th April. It is an early 19th century sampler bearing the crowned initials of King George and having many markers for a Scottish sampler, including paired intials, a distinctive vase with prominent tulip (top left), and the large, arcaded border at the base. It measures 44cm (18 in) square and comes with an estimate of just £140 - 220. Click here for more details.

And no, you are not seeing double, this is a pair of almost matching embroidered panels from Spain, dating from the reign of Philip V. Both are dated 1743. Each panel is finely worked in polychrome silk threads depicting the bull ring surrounded by buildings with arcades from which faces are seen watching the cuadrilla (entourage) performing the corrida de toros (running of the bulls) below in the square, with metal-thread detailing to the costumes, horses reins, window surrounds, steeples and to clouds. Each panel is worked with a running inscription along the lower edge. On the first it is: D,a María, Rosa, López, D,a María Joachina, isvs Hermanas, en Valladolid, año de 1743. And the second: D,a Francisca Xaviera, D,a Teresa Rviz Caballero, isv mro.en Valladolid, Ano 1743. Depicted in the panel with the bullfighter riding the bull, is an official figure in the foreground with speech band, 'Detengale usted Sr. Indio', both panels mounted within gilded and ebonised frames. They are lot 464 and also for auction at Sothebys, London tomorrow with an estimate of £25,000 - £40,000. Perhaps a Spanish blog reader might be able to shed some light on why there are two almost identical panels like this.