Anthemion Auctions November Fine Art and collectors sale is set to offer an unusually large collection of modern art pieces. Amongst the eclectic collection are a set of stunning sculptures by Welsh sculptor Peter Nicholas.
Nicholas, who passed away in February of this year, is widely known in Wales for such iconic pieces as the statue of Ivor Novello in Cardiff Bay, and the Eddie Thomas sculpture in Merthyr Tydfil. After attending Cardiff Art School between 1951 and 1956, Nicholas followed a two year stint in the Royal Navy by attending London Royal College of Art to study sculpture. He went on to lecture at Newport Art School, and was appointed Head of School, Faculty of Art and Design in Swansea. His work has been commissioned for places of public note throughout Wales; the diverse repertoire including works in Welsh Slate, bronze and Portland stone. Amongst many works throughout the valleys and further afield, in 1993, he produced a 3 ton carving entitled Mother Sea for the seaside resort of Porthcawl, and in early 2000, a carving in marble together with murals totalling 700 sq feet for the Celtic Manor Resort. His works have been exhibited in a wide range of galleries and festivals throughout Britain and the artist’s versatile skill and use of materials have allowed him to express to the public his fascination with “size, sculptural language and communication through visual identity”.
The extensive collection of his pieces to be offered at Anthemion in Cardiff on the 25th of November include watercolours, works in fibreglass, bronze, marble and Portland stone, in sizes ranging from just centimetres to metres. The works range from abstract pieces, such as “Rocking Knife”, a two piece stone sculpture, to a large range of figural inspired subjects; including a Maquette, or scale model, of the head of “Nye Bevan”, a striking reclining nude named “Hussanah”, estimated to realise between £800 and £1200, and a model of the female anatomy; affectionately known by the family as “Fanny”.
His works are joined in the auction by a large collection of studio pottery pieces inspired by the likes of Hans Coper, Lucie Rie, Bernard Leach etc including vases, bowls, chargers, plaques and figural pieces. Among the more unusual pieces are a studio pottery archway with a church and trees by Trevor Warton and a model of a house of ill repute by Hilary Brock.
The collection of modern artworks offered in the auction take their place amidst a large collection of furniture, from a set of Investiture chairs, to a 17th century oak chest of drawers, English and continental ceramics and glasswares including a collection of Moorcroft pottery, Royal Crown Derby paperweights, a lalique bowl, assorted swords, pistols, militaria and collectors items such as stamps and postcards. The sale also features a selection of oil and watercolour paintings, prints, oil lamps, books, and a range of silverware and jewellery, including diamond jewellery, gold coins, and a stunning Patek Phillippe wristwatch estimated at £3000-£3500.
The auction at Anthemion will be available to view online from Saturday the 14th of November, via www.anthemionauctions.com; for any queries regarding items in the auction, Anthemion can be contacted on 02920 472444 or anthemions@aol.com