Lot 35. A pair of late 17th-early 18th century silver parcel gilt figure groups by Abraham Drentwett II, Augsburg, French occupation silver marks circa 1800. Estimate £30000–50000 © Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions

NEWBURY.- Featuring in the Jewellery, Silver and Watches sale at Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions on 15th March at Donnington Priory is a wonderful collection of 18th and 19th century Belgian, Dutch and French silver and objects of vertu, consigned by the English descendants of the van den Steen de Jehay family. 

Château de Jehay is a castle near Amay in the province of Liège in Belgium. Lambert van den Steen, lord of Saives (1664-1757) was the first representative of the van den Steen family to bear the title of lord of Jehay. In 1720, the château and its lordship was purchased by Lambert van den Steen who was an advisor to the Prince-Bishop of Liège. The family went on to keep the domain for 280 years. The title of comte (count) was conferred in 1840.  

A highlight from this collection comprising 13 lots in the sale on 15th March is a striking pair of late 17th/early 18th century silver parcel gilt figure groups by Abraham Drentwett II, Augsburg, circa 1800. One features a cherub with a spear tackling a wild boar and the other a seated cherub with a bow with a rearing hind, each on an oval base (Lot 35, £30,000-50,000). 

Lot 35. A pair of late 17th-early 18th century silver parcel gilt figure groups by Abraham Drentwett II, Augsburg, French occupation silver marks circa 1800. Estimate £30000–50000 © Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions

of a cherub with a spear tackling a wild boar and of a seated cherub with a bow with a rearing hind, each on an oval base with a chased bordered waisted plinth, 17cm (6 3/4in) and 20cm (8in) high, 1679g (54 oz)

Provenance: the barons, later comtes, van den Steen de Jehay.
See Selling, Helmut Die Kunst der Augsburger Goldschmiede 1529-1869 , vol. 3, p. 234-235, no. 1728f for the maker's mark. See also vol. 2, pl. 597 (amongst other works by Drentwett illustrated) for a similar treatment of the drapery, foliage and the base. Abraham Drentwett II (1647-1729) was a member of the prolific Augsburg family of goldsmiths and artists.

Additional standout pieces include a stunning mid 18th century Belgian silver large baluster chocolate pot by Jacobus van de Vyvere, Ghent 1747-48 (Lot 26, Est: £5,000-8,000) and a Meissen doublée d'or and diamond mounted cartouche shaped porcelain snuff box, circa 1740 (Lot 59, Est: £3,000-5,000). 

Lot 26. A mid 18th century Belgian silver large baluster chocolate pot by Jacobus van de Vyvere, Ghent 1747-48. Estimate £5000–8000 © Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions

with a screw-off lobed ball finial to the ogee domed and panelled cover, a wooden loop handle, a cartouche and rocaille work cast spout, the body conformingly panelled, a central girdle, on three shell and rocaille work supports with ball-and-claw feet, 32cm (12 1/2in) high, 1525g (49 oz)

See Stuyck, R. Belgische Zilvermerken: Poincons d'argenterie belges , no. 2721 or 2724 for the maker's mark. Provenance: the barons, later comtes, van den Steen de Jehay.

Lot 59. A Meissen doublée d'or and diamond mounted cartouche shaped porcelain snuff box, circa 1740. Estimate £3000–5000 © Dreweatts & Bloomsbury Auctions

painted in puce camaieu, with differing port scenes to the inside and outside cover, a continuous port scene to the sides and one beneath, the box interior with a burnished gilt ground, the mounts horizontally moulded, the shaped thumbpiece mounted with eleven diamonds amidst scrolls, 7cm (2 3/4in) across; 3.5cm (1 3/8in) high

Provenance: the barons, later comtes, van den Steen de Jehay.
Sold with a handwritten note on vellum reading Boite en porcelaine blanche, doublee d'or avec decors en camaieu rose, representant des scenes maritimes, par Wolfga.. Taban, peintre emailleur de Jean Theodore de Baviere, Cardinal Prince, Eveque de Liege, donne par ce Prince, a Lambert Walthere Brazer van den Steen de Jehay, Grand Official et Ecolatre de Liege, 1763, Epoque Louis XV. Mr. le Comte V van den Steen de Jahay . Another smaller note, either an inventory or exhibition label, reads IV section, no. 445 M Comte Victor Van den Steen.
Lambert Walthere, baron van den Steen, canon trefocier of the cathedral of Liege and abbe d'Amay. Victor Marie Augustin Philippe, comte van den Steen de Jehay (1822-1912). Jean-Theodore of Bavaria (1703-1763) was a German cardinal, who was the bishop of Ratisbon and then prince-bishop of Liege from 1744 to 1763. He was the youngest surviving son of Elector Maximilian II of Bavaria.

 During and after the Second World War the castle was used as a children's home and was in rather poor condition. It was given back to Count Guy van den Steen in 1950. Guy van den Steen was a sculptor and many of his works now adorn the château’s grounds. Guy’s death in 1999 brought to an end the van den Steen de Jehay family line. 

The castle and its collections were acquired by the province of Liège. Guy van den Steen's legacy was to leave the house open to the public in as pristine condition as possible