LONDON.- The european works of art auction taking place on 24th May by Olympia Auctions comprises 396 lots & includes five collections of enticing objects from Dutch delft to Russian and Greek icons. 

The property of a European Collector was assembled over twenty-five years ago by a gentleman of exquisite taste, and adorned an 18th century house in Covent Garden. The dining room was enlivened by Chinese, Japanese and Delft blue & white, arrayed on open shelves and coral brackets over black lacquer and dark grey panelling, designed to reflect and absorb candlelight. Olympia Auctions sold many of the Asian pieces from the collection on 26 April 2023, as well as a group of forty Islamic tiles from the same house on 18th November 2020. 

The varied and enticing collection of objects includes Delft ceramics of which a Dutch Delft plaque, circa 1730 pictured above, painted with a depiction of the Last Supper is a highlight. The composition of the figures, table and floor are probably based on a print of the Last Supper, No. 2 in the ‘Passion of Christ’ series, first published by Philip Galle in about 1580 after Jan van der Straet. This has an estimate of £2,500-£3,500. Another highlight, a Dutch Delft tulip vase, de porceleyne Schotel, 1764 – 1772, has a provenance of the Counts Raben in Denmark and carries an estimate of £700- £1,000.

Lot 4. A Dutch Delft plate, circa 1730; blue and white, square with in-curved corners, painted with the Last Supper above a cartouche with the Biblical reference 'Maatthei:26:V:17:tot23' (Matthew 26, 17-23), with raised floral border, glazed aperture for hanging to top, 26cm square. Estimate: £2,500 - £3,500. Courtesy Olympia Auctions

Provenance: Property of a European Collector; The Estate of Miss Veronica Bruce, Finlarig House, Rafford near Forres, sold Tennants, Leyburn, 23 November 2001; to her by family descent, probably from Elizabeth Cumming-Bruce (1821-1843), wife of James Bruce, 8th Earl of Elgin and 12th Earl of Kincardine.

Note: The composition of the figures, table and floor are probably based on a print of the Last Supper, No. 2 in the 'Passion of Christ' series, first published by Philip Galle in about 1580 after Jan van der Straet (Stradanus) (1523-1605).

Lot 5. A Dutch Delft garlic-neck vase, circa 1700; octagonally faceted, the bulbous body painted in Chinese Transitional style with a band of figures in landscapes between a scroll border and lappet decorated base, red painted collection number 372, 29cm high, rim restored. Estimate: £300 - £400. Courtesy Olympia Auctions

Provenance: Property of a European Collector; The Counts Raben, Aalholm Slot, Nysted, Denmark, sold Sotheby's, 'Aalholm Slot', 20-23 May 1996, lot 1671.

Lot 6. A Dutch Delft vase and cover, 18th century; ribbed ovoid octagonal, the domed cover with baluster hexagonal finial, blue and white with stylised flowerheads and encircling running leaf borders between bands of lappets, 33cm high. Estimate: £150 - £250. Courtesy Olympia Auctions

Provenance: Property of a European Collector; The Counts Raben, Aalholm Slot, Nysted, Denmark, sold Sotheby's, 'Aalholm Slot', 20-23 May 1996, lot 1672 (part)

 Lot 7. A Dutch Delft tulip vase, de porceleyne Schotel, 1764 – 1772; blue and white, painted to one side with three ducks swimming on a pond within a formal garden, the other with another garden scene, the five nozzles and spreading base with flowers, blue painted Johannes van Duijn mark, 19.5cm high, some restoration. Estimate: £700 - £1,000. Courtesy Olympia Auctions.

Provenance: Property of a European Collector; The Counts Raben, Aalholm Slot, Nysted, Denmark, sold Sotheby's, 'Aalholm Slot', 20-23 May 1996, lot 1680.

From another collectors:

Lot 1. A Dutch Delft lobed dish, circa 1700; painted in yellow, green, red and blue with a peacock and butterfly amid trees and rockwork within a flowerhead border, 31cm diameter. Estimate: £300 - £500. Courtesy Olympia Auctions

Lot 2. A Dutch Delft dish, circa 1700; blue and white Chinese style, painted with a seated figure in a garden, the border of alternating panels of flowers and further seated figures, 29cm diameter. Estimate: £150 - £250. Courtesy Olympia Auctions

Provenance: the Estate of Louisa Service OBE (1931-2021), sold by order of the executors.

 Olympia Auctions. European Works of Art, London, 24 May 2023