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Dr. Peter Turner, a British physician and botanist, is thought to be depicted in this James I sculpted and painted alabaster bust. Created circa 1615, the 29-inch bust is expected to sell for $75,000-$105,000. Image courtesy Dreweatts.

Dreweatts’ April 14 sale features British architectural treasure

Tom Hoepf
Tom Hoepf
Dr. Peter Turner, a British physician and botanist, is thought to be depicted in this James I sculpted and painted alabaster bust. Created circa 1615, the 29-inch bust is expected to sell for $75,000-$105,000. Image courtesy Dreweatts.
Dr. Peter Turner, a British physician and botanist, is thought to be depicted in this James I sculpted and painted alabaster bust. Created circa 1615, the 29-inch bust is expected to sell for $75,000-$105,000. Image courtesy Dreweatts.

NEWBURY, England – Amid antique furniture, carpets and works of art, a 400-year-old sculpted and painted alabaster bust – seemingly with nine lives – will be a star lot in renowned British auction house Dreweatts’ sale April 14. It marks Dreweatts’ first auction conducted with Internet live bidding through LiveAuctioneers.

The bust is believed to be a depiction of the eminent 17th-century botanist and physician Dr. Peter Turner. It reputedly was erected in the South Aisle of St. Olave’s Church in London, where Turner was buried. St. Olave’s narrowly escaped the Great Fire of 1666, the flames coming to within 100 yards or so of the building. During the 1941 London Blitz, the church was gutted by German bombs. Presumably the bust of Dr. Turner was salvaged from the ruins, but its history since them is undocumented. The sculpture is expected to sell for $75,000-$105,000.

Another great sculpture in the sale is a Carrara marble group of Diana the Huntress and her hound, done in the manner of Jean Antoine Houdon by Paul Jean-Baptiste Gasq (1860-1944). Inscribed “DIANE” and “G.Gasq,” the group stands 46 inches high by 22 inches wide. Born in Dijon, France, Gasq was a student at that city’s School of Fine Arts and afterwards at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris, where he took the Prix de Rome in 1890. He also won a Grand Prix at the Exposition Universelle in 1900.

Period furniture will feature the likes of a George II walnut bureau bookcase, George III mahogany wing armchair and an Irish George III mahogany marble-top side table.

The 337-lot auction will also including clocks and watches, garden furniture and ornaments, lighting, metalware, rugs and carpets, sporting items and textiles.

For details phone +44 (0)1635 553553. The sale will begin at 10 a.m. London time.

View the fully illustrated catalog and register to bid absentee or live via the Internet as the sale is taking place by logging on to www.LiveAuctioneers.com.

ADDITIONAL LOTS OF NOTE

‘Diana the Huntress’ is portrayed in sculpted white Carrara marble of late 19th century by French artist Paul Jean-Baptiste Gasq (1860 - 1944). The 46-inch-high sculpture has a $23,000-$30,700 estimate. Image courtesy Dreweatts.
‘Diana the Huntress’ is portrayed in sculpted white Carrara marble of late 19th century by French artist Paul Jean-Baptiste Gasq (1860 – 1944). The 46-inch-high sculpture has a $23,000-$30,700 estimate. Image courtesy Dreweatts.

This George II walnut bureau bookcase, circa 1740, carries a $12,300-$18,400 estimate. It stands nearly 85 inches high by 38 1/2 inches wide. Image courtesy Dreweatts.
This George II walnut bureau bookcase, circa 1740, carries a $12,300-$18,400 estimate. It stands nearly 85 inches high by 38 1/2 inches wide. Image courtesy Dreweatts.

Possibly Irish, this George III mahogany wing armchair features acanthus carved cabriole legs on claw and ball feet and outswept rear legs. It has a $12,300-$18,400 estimate. Image courtesy Dreweatts.
Possibly Irish, this George III mahogany wing armchair features acanthus carved cabriole legs on claw and ball feet and outswept rear legs. It has a $12,300-$18,400 estimate. Image courtesy Dreweatts.

A mottled green inset marble top sets off this Irish George III mahogany side table, circa 1760. It is estimated at $6,100-$9,200. Image courtesy Dreweatts.
A mottled green inset marble top sets off this Irish George III mahogany side table, circa 1760. It is estimated at $6,100-$9,200. Image courtesy Dreweatts.