Rupert Toovey’s Articles – Toovey’s Blog

Picasso in Provence

A collection of Picasso Madoura editions ceramics

Amongst the towering giants of 20th century art was Pablo Picasso. After living under the Nazis in his Paris studio Picasso journeyed south to Provence. Provence, as much an idea as a place, has gathered diverse peoples to her over millennia. Each have added to her richness and, in their turn, have been shaped by this remarkable land and her people.

In 1946, Pablo Picasso visited the annual potter’s exhibition in the provincial town of Vallauris. There he met Suzanne and Georges Ramié, the founders of the Madoura workshop, who were keen to persuade him to come to Vallauris. Picasso returned in July 1947 bringing his extraordinary imagination and creative energy to ceramics. Picasso took the everyday and transformed it in to high art painting and incising with a richness of expression which still causes my heart to race. Favourite themes included figures, bullfights and still lifes as depicted on the jug and plates illustrated here. In each you see the free, graphic rhythm which typifies Picasso’s ceramics. These pieces are Picasso Madoura editions and are authentic replicas of the original work. They sold for a total of £8200 at Toovey’s. Like a handmade print their close connection with Picasso’s hand attracts the attention of an international group of collectors. Picasso’s relationship with Madoura and the Ramiés grew and he lived at Vallauris before moving to Cannes.

Rupert Toovey in the square outside the Musée National Picasso, Vallauris

Picasso resurrected the ancient tradition of the all-round artist exploring painting, sculpture, graphic art, engraving and ceramics. Picasso delighted in the craft of the ceramicist and quickly began to talk with the Ramiés using the technical language of the potter. The Ramiés indulged Picasso’s often extremely unorthodox practices which included his methods of firing, glazes and form. Take for example the plate ‘Bunch with Apple’, made in 1956, in an edition of 400 which was decorated with oxidized paraffin.

You approach the Musée National Picasso at Vallauris in Provence through a square filled with shops and restaurants. Amidst the life of the village stands the bronze L’homme au mouton given by the artist in 1949. Inside the museum there is a jewel like array of original ceramics made by Pablo Picasso which is guarded fiercely by the museum staff. The pieces capture the spirit of Provence in a way which speaks of a joy and freedom after the artist’s years under Nazi occupation in Paris. You sense the effect that the light and warmth of Provence had on Picasso expressed in his ceramics in the post-war years.

A Revival of English Country House Taste

A pair of George III Chippendale period giltwood pier mirrors from the collection of the late Michael Rawlins of Wakefords, Easebourne

I much prefer a rich, textural English Country House interior over the austerity of minimalism. English Country House Taste is layered and eclectic always reflecting the taste and interests of a family and often the patchwork quilt of a family’s stories and interests over generations. It is unpretentious, layered and evolving.

My Grandparents home made a great impression on me. They had lived through the Second World War and they created a gathering interior. Their home was generous but not grand, rich, eclectic and beautifully conceived. Although quite open in design it was made up of a series of spaces to gather and enjoy the company of friends and family. Two sofas enfolded the fireplace with flanking armchairs and a Regency single-pedestal Pembroke table, the draw always smelt of pipe tobacco and 2B pencils. Chinese porcelain vases served as table lamps with crisp pleated shades, the walls filled with paintings and a bookcase because outward facing lively minds mattered. In the dining room a George V oak gateleg dining table reflected the light from the garden on its richly bees-waxed top surrounded by Georgian chairs. And to the side a chrome and red lacquer drinks trolley held a decanter of Madeira with an assortment of favourite glasses. These two areas were defined by a mahogany bureau which sat confidently against a wall between them.

A rich composition of furniture, paintings and objects in the English Country House taste

The late Michael Rawlins’s interiors were more formal and the collections reflected a glamorous taste. Michael built his home Wakefords at Easebourne when he moved from River. It beautifully demonstrates how English antique paintings, objects and furniture compliment the interior of a home from any period. The windows were framed by chintz curtains and the sofas and armchairs, which framed the fireplace in the drawing room, were upholstered in bright colours reflecting the influence of Colefax and Fowler and the interior designer John Fowler on a post-war generation. The furniture from Michael’s collection has just gone under the hammer at Toovey’s. The George III Chippendale period giltwood pier mirrors realised £3700. They formed part of a layered composition of paintings, furniture lights and objects typical of English Country House taste. There is a revival of intertest in the comfortable and timeless taste of the English country house. And today the quality of antique furniture, its beauty and exceptional value is beginning to attract the attention of decorators and collectors once again.

Rubies Are Amongst The World’s Most Valued Gem Stones

A late Victorian ruby and diamond set necklace in the garland style

Rubies are over 500 million years old and amongst the world’s most valued gemstones.

Amongst the star lots entered in Toovey’s October Fine Jewellery auction was a late 19th century gold backed, silver set, ruby and diamond necklace in the garland style. As the 19th century drew to a close Victorian tastes were reinterpreted in lighter more delicate styles influenced by France’s Belle Époque which spanned from the late 19th century up until the start of the Great War in 1914. It was characterised by optimism, regional peace, economic prosperity, scientific and technological advances and an era where the arts flourished influencing the tastes of other nations including our own. Jewellery from the period combines opulence with graceful lines set with a variety of gems, often in the garland style which influenced the production of almost all jewellery houses in the late 19th century and early years of the 20th century. Louis Cartier was considered the master of the garland style. In the early years of the 20th century Cartier opened his shop in London. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries England’s wealth was at its height and demand for fine jewellery had never been higher. In the second half of the 19th century the jewellery industry flourished in England.

These influences and the fashion for the garland style is clearly recognisable in the acanthus leaf scroll and floral garlands of this exceptional necklace. The fluidity of design embraces both the classical and rococo and the necklace sold for £13,000.

The quality of a ruby is determined by its colour, cut, and clarity, and size which is measured in carats. All these things have to be considered when arriving at a value. The brightest and most valuable shade of red, called blood-red or pigeon blood, commands a large premium over other rubies of similar quality. After colour follows clarity, the clearer the stone the more valuable it is likely to be. The rubies in the platinum, ruby and diamond set bracelet were particularly fine. Although unmarked the jewel came with an associated Cartier box and made £18,000 at Toovey’s.

A platinum, ruby and diamond set bracelet

Jewellery so often reflects points of love in our lives and is a celebration of that important human purpose to be creative and make beauty in the world.

Toovey’s jewellery specialist Sarah Harwood, a diamond graduate and Fellow of the Gemmological Association of Great Britain, is always pleased to share her expertise in jewellery and fine gems whether you need a valuation or are interested in selling or acquiring jewellery.

Tin Plate Toy Inspired by Hispano-Suiza

An early 20th century JEP tinplate clockwork model Hispano-Suiza touring car

A tinplate model of an Hispano-Suiza touring car has just sold at Toovey’s for £1100. This rare model featured on the cover of Gordon Gardiner and Alastair Morris’ Price Guide to Metal Toys.

Hispano-Suiza is one the most important marques from the early days of motoring. The automobile company was named Hispano-Suiza, which translates as Spanish Swiss, by its founders Marc Birkigt and Damián Mateau. The company’s corporate structure would evolve manufacturing in France and Spain whilst retaining its famous name. Its patrons would include King Alfonso XIII of Spain. Hispano-Suiza became famous with the introduction of voiturette race cars which showcased the marques quality and capabilities at motor racing events during the early twentieth century. Engineer owner, Marc Birkigt, acquired a reputation for building remarkable machines. Many have argued that the Type 45 Alfonso XIII from the early 1900s was amongst the world’s first sports cars. The Type 45’s engine was placed closer to the rear which combined with its low chassis created an extremely balanced car with exceptional handling in the corners and straights. These innovative engineering principles became the hallmark of these cars.

Toovey’s toy specialist, Chris Gale, with a rare JEP tinplate Hispano-Suiza

Commenting on the tinplate Hispano-Suiza Toovey’s toy specialist Chris Gale said “Tinplate was used in the manufacture of toys from the mid-19th century. The invention of sheet metal stamping allowed toys to be made inexpensively in large numbers. Tin toys were made from thin sheets of steel plated with tin, hence the name tinplate and were painted by hand. This wonderful model was by Jouet de Paris, also known as JEP. The company was founded in 1902 by Roussel. and Dufrien. They not only sold their own models but also brought together a number of independent tin-smithing ateliers in eastern Paris. The thriving independent toy makers of Paris benefited from selling their designs and models under a single brand and catalogue. The JEP tinplate clockwork Hispano-Suiza touring car was numbered No. 7395. Although there was some playwear, paint chips, scratch marks and repairs its burgundy and yellow coachwork had a pleasing patina. It had a sprung front bumper, windscreens, spare tyre and electric lights. Not only did the model have forward and reverse gears but also working steering.” Gordon Gardiner worked at Sotheby’s and later as Toovey’s toy consultant working with Chris over many years. A copy of his ‘The Price Guide to Metal Toys’ was included in the lot. Chris Gale is always delighted to share his expertise and passion for toys with collectors and specialists.

Martello Towers and the Defence of the Realm

The Martello Tower at Archirondel Bay, Jersey

The Channel Islands, like the coast of Sussex, has always been important to the defence of the British Isles. Since Norman times our defences together with the English Channel, our island’s moat, have kept us safe from invasion. From the late 18th century and throughout the first half of 19th century the Martello Tower was used both in Sussex and the Channel Islands.

These circular forts stand up to 40 feet high. Their circular construction and thick masonry walls made them resistant to canon fire. They would be manned by an officer and 15-25 men. Provisions and ammunition were stored on the lower levels and a canon was placed on the top allowing them to fire through 360º in defence of their position. The Martello Towers were inspired by the circular towers built by the Corsicans from the 15th and 16th centuries onwards in defence of pirates. The Genoese built later towers. The British Navy encountered these during the French Revolutionary Wars. In 1794, as part of the siege of Saint-Florent, the 72 gun HMS Fortitude and the 32 gun HMS Juno failed to defeat or even mark the tower at Mortella Point after engaging it with canon fire for over 2 1/2 hours. It would eventually fall to an attack from the land under the command of Sir John Moore after two days of heavy fighting. Impressed by the effectiveness of the fort the British copied its design and in true British style misspelt Mortella and called their forts Martello Towers.

Rupert Toovey with the Archirondel Martello Tower, Jersey

Jersey in the Channel Islands has always been considered strategically important and heavily defended. You will find Martello Towers all around her coast line. My favourite is the example at Archirondel Bay on the North East of the Island. The Tower sits confidently on its promontory with St Catherine’s breakwater and the French coast in the distance. Archirondel is a precious place to my wife’s family. It is where her grandparents made their home after they returned to the island of Jersey after its liberation from the Germans on the 9th May 1945, a day after the surrender of their forces in Europe. They had cause to flee the island as Grandma was English. Many of their friends and relations stayed and lived under Nazi rule. To reflect on our own history across the centuries perhaps provides a timely reminder of the importance and costs of defending our freedoms, values and nation.