Highlights from the second annual Christie’s South Kensington sale of unusual items and objects, ‘Out of the Ordinary’
On 3rd September Christie’s South Kensington will auction “an eclectic selection of art and ephemera celebrating the joy of the unconventional”. Here, The Steeple Times selects a few highlights:
A handbag that belonged to the Queen Mother, 1950s – Estimate: £2,000 to £4,000
This metal frame bag with short leather handles and an oversized silver metal hoop fastening is accompanied by two letters regarding provenance. One has to wonder how many gin miniatures were concealed within its tan leather lined interior.
‘Five Children and It’, 1991 – Estimate: £1,000 to £1,500
Children of the 1990s will remember this popular BBC children’s television series. 53cm high, this original Sand Fairy or Psammead puppet is made of moulded latex foam rubber and accompanied by a metal stand to prop the puppet and a certificate of authenticity from The Prop Store of London.
A giant brass mounted display model of a Mont Blanc fountain pen, late 20th century – Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000
Measuring an extraordinary 297cm, this giant model is something that’d surely appeal to any writer. It has a brass bound inscription of ‘Meiserstuck’ to the body whilst the gilt nib is engraved with ‘4810 / 18K / Mont Blanc’.
Queen Mary’s beside telephone, circa 1930 – Estimate: £1,000 to £1,500
Accompanied by a plaque and presentation cushion, this Art Deco Bakelite and ivory brass mounted telephone handset is impressed with ‘Press this while speaking’ and a control box with buttons for titled ‘Lady-in-Waiting’, ‘Dresser’, ‘Page’, ‘Night page’ and ‘Prince’s dressing room.’ It was used at her final home, Marlborough House.
Art Deco table from the Long Gallery of the RMS Queen Mary, circa 1936 – Estimate: £3,000 to £4,000
A further item connected to Queen Mary is a walnut, burr walnut and composition occasional table that was used in the first class Long Gallery on the RMS Queen Mary between 1936 and 1967. It was made by G. T. Rackstraw of Worcester and has a diameter and height of 45.8cm.
A model of the Concorde F-BVFA, circa 1975 – Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000
1/24th scale in size and in Air France livery, this impressive model of Concorde was made by Skyland Models of Slough and is 254cm long. It would look impressive in the study of any aviation enthusiast.
A George V silver cigar box in the form of a model of Harrods, 1927 – Estimate: £70,000 to £100,000
This architectural model is simply stunning but also has a practical use as a cigar and cigarette box. Each façade has been realistically modeled to scale by Richard Woodman Burbidge and the roof dome hinges open to reveal the wood lined interior. It measures 61cm wide by 54cm long by 17.5cm high.
A pair of taxidermy ‘Zebracorns’, late 20th century – Estimate: £8,000 to £12,000
Fitted with modern simulated narwhal plaster horns, this pair of whimsical Zebracorns are 127cm high by 79cm deep. They are most definitely conversation pieces.
