Dear Friends
Welcome to our July newsletter.
Flaming June certainly lived up to its name during the latter part of the month with record temperatures across the UK culminating in amber and red heat warnings. Yes, it has been hot and very uncomfortable at night, and naturally it’s important to be aware of the dangers, but endless news broadcasters and internet influencers advising adults on everything from dog walking, sleeping, clothing, travel and even eating habits, can be quite tiresome.
I do have to wonder how we survived the summer of 1976… 16 consecutive days of temperatures exceeding 32 degrees, peaking at just under 36 degrees, that came during a 15 month’s long drought, followed by water rationing for 6 weeks, it’s a miracle those of us of a certain age are still here to tell the tale. How long until we are following lifestyle instructions from Elon’s Optimus bots 😊😊
The month literally “got off to a flyer”, if you’ll excuse the pun, with our exclusive members item, the “charming silvered bronze cockatiel” now joining a very fine UK based collection that I have been helping to curate for the last few years.
At last I found a home for this monumental silk depicting peacocks, having originally arrived framed from a NYC collection, it became evident that the sheer scale of it was prohibitive, not only for transportation, but also for display in most UK homes. And so, I took it upon myself to remove the cumbersome frame and allow the textile to be carefully rolled for safe delivery to its new home in the EU.
During the latter part of June, I featured this super quality and condition Satsuma vase by Kinkozan, it was swiftly picked up by a UK based Japanese art dealer & collector, who following some tough negotiations also proceeded to purchase the stunning dual artist signed example that had been in stock for a while. Sincere thanks to the above clients for their continued patronage.
Also in June we were given the opportunity to showcase some of our Japanese garden okimono from the one owner Dr Duisberg collection, on this occasion to an audience attending a prestigious series of events at the stunning Wilton House, a place that holds fond memories for me as an attendee at the incredibly well run Wilton House Antiques Fairs, sadly no longer taking place since covid. Although slightly out of context with the weekends motoring extravaganza I am delighted to say that we have now found a new home for some of the pieces including the most charming okimono of the bears.
Sincere thanks to the Earl of Pembroke and his staff as well as the event organisers for allowing us this unique opportunity.
This month’s exclusive featured item is another magical piece of metalwork from the personal collection of the late Mr Murata’s Kyomizu Sannenzaka Mueum in Kyoto. You will recall how last month I was bemoaning missing my previously owned cannon vases by Yoshizane. Well, thankfully I did not miss this absolute masterclass of an Imperial presentation vase, depicting a brilliantly executed mixed metal scene of horses grazing beneath willows, please do take a look.
And finally, two images that for me eclipse everything previously discussed. The first of the images is Louis my 10-month-old grandson enjoying his first visit aboard grandad’s new boat. The second needs no introduction to many who follow my ramblings each month, this is 9-year-old Alice who we are so proud to announce has been officially promoted from the AFCB Girls Emerging Talent Centre to the main AFCB Academy, it was such a surreal experience taking her to the actual Premier League training dome where she now trains twice weekly and plays matches in the county league… what a potential little star we have on our hands.
Whilst on the subject of football, good luck to England at the USA World Cup, we look to have got off to a much more positive start under the new management team, but we have been here so many times in the last 60 years only to fall at the final hurdles…
C’mon England!!!
Best wishes
Steve