Richard Redding Masterpieces of the Past

Limited Edition
1994

Containing 53 pages of full colour illustrations and catalogue descriptions.

 

Due to the enthusiastic response to our past two books, this slimmed down publication contained in depth descriptions of a few select pieces, which were all chosen for their beauty, quality and importance. Featured on the front cover of this limited edition was one of the finest clocks that the gallery has had the honour of owning – namely a Louis XVI longcase regulator by the eminent clockmaker Jean-Simon Bourdier. Housed in a magnificent case by the ébéniste Balthazar Lieutaud it also featured superb mounts attributed to Philippe Caffiéri. Research showed that similar examples could be found in the Wallace Collection and at the Victoria and Albert Museum in London, the Frick Collection, New York as well as one made for the marquis de Pange which is now in the Musée de Versailles.

 

Other quality works featured in this volume included clocks by the esteemed makers, Antide Janvier, Abraham-Louis Breguet and Lepine à Paris. The book also included some of the best silver that we had recently acquired including a pair of Victorian candelabra by Robert Garrard and a late nineteenth century tea and coffee set made by Jean-Baptiste-Gustave Odiot for Cesar Trezza de Mussella of Verona. More unusual works included a very ornate Meissen mirror, a rare pair of silver gilt and glass table lamps by Lucien Falize and Emile Gallé as well as an exotic pair of North Italian Blackamoors once owned by the English connoisseur Dr. Gerald Moore of Heathfield Park, Sussex.