The Montpelier Interiors: Decorative by Design sale is organised by Curated Auctions who is based in South East London. The auction of 256 lots is being held on Wednesday 6th April 2022 from 2pm.
We chose to feature this auction because of the number of interesting and quirky decorative items that are coming up for sale. For instance, a coco de mer nut, collections of antique cast iron crucifixes and, my favourite item, an entire walk-in larder. I wish I had the space – and the funds – to house it!
All lots are subject to a 25% buyer’s premium on the final hammer price, plus VAT. Live bidding via the Curated Auctions website incurs an additional fee of 1% or through the-saleroom.com, invaluable.com or liveauctioneers.com (where a 5% surcharge applies).
The auction house itself doesn’t provide a packaging or delivery service, although they recommend a local art shipping specialist company.
Lot 22: A LARGE COCO DE MER NUT (LODOICEA MALDIVICA) WITH KERNELS
There is a long historical tradition of collecting Coco de Mer nuts and treasuring them as rare and unusual objects, as far back as the 16th century they were decorated with jewels and placed in ‘cabinets of curiosities’. Their obvious resemblance to a woman’s buttocks inspired their botanical name “Lodoicea Callipyge”; “callipyge” meaning “beautiful rump” in Greek. Sailors would see them floating in the sea and supposedly mistook them for real women, others believed they grew on trees deep in the ocean and floated to the surface when ripe.
Estimate: £200 – £400
Lot 34: A 19TH CENTURY SWEDISH PAINTED WOOD HERB PRESS
With distressed paint, the top with remains of painted flowers, on shaped rectangular base, the spirally turned central rod with handle. 57cm high x 39cm
Estimate: £100 – £150
Lot 57: AN ENGLISH PAINTED WOOD AND ZINC-TOPPED CONSERVATORY TABLE
Of rustic style, green painted, the rectangular zinc covered top over a pair of covered drawers and a planked shelf below. 150cm wide x 80cm deep x 80cm high
Estimate: £250 – £450
Lot 118: A COLLECTION OF FIVE 19TH CENTURY AND LATER FRENCH CHURCH CROSSES
The cast iron crucifixes of pierced form, some with figures of Christ in relief, others with stylised motifs. The largest 148cm high (5)
Estimate: £250 – £350
Lot 130: A 19TH CENTURY TOLE WARE TEA CANISTER
Of cylindrical form, green painted, lid circular lid. 43cm high x 24cm wide
Estimate: £100 – £150
Lot 146: A SET OF TEN FRENCH BLUE GLASS CHEMIST’S JARS
Probably early 20th century, with metal cylindrical lids, each labelled, some with paper labels inscribed ‘DANGEREUX’. 24cm high (10)
Lot 182: A PAIR OF LES ARCS STYLE LEATHER AND METAL CHAIRS
1960s style, with leather seats and metal frames, in the manner of Charlotte Perriand Les Arcs vintage chairs (2)
Estimate: £200 – £300
Lot 184: A LATE 19TH / EARLY 20TH CENTURY WALK-IN LARDER
Wooden larder with cupboard doors
Estimate: £3,000 – £5,000
Lot 186: A 1960S BRUTALIST STYLE METAL FLOOR STANDING LAMP
The main shade formed from intertwined strips of metal, giving a sunflower or sunburst effect, raised on a plain stem and domed foot, wired for electricity, tested. 150cm high x 55cm wide
Estimate: £300 – £400
Lot 230: A 1960S STRAW WORK MAGAZINE RACK
On metal stand. 49 x 42cm
Estimate: £50 – £70
Lot 242: AN ARGENTINE BARBECUE
The BBQ with slatted wooden tier below, of rectangular form, on four legs
Estimate: £300 – £400