PRESS RELEASE For Immediate Release
CURATED COLLECTION OF RENOWNED TASTEMAKER
GUY TOBIN TO BE OFFERED AT AUCTION
UK. NOVEMBER 2024. Dreweatts is delighted to announce that it has been appointed to sell a curated collection formed by renowned aesthete and tastemaker, Guy Tobin, in a special online auction titled: Guy Tobin: ‘For the Love of Objects!’ on Tuesday, January 7, 2024.
Tobin is revered for his unique approach to art and interiors, driven by a direction & more by the quality of the item, where craftsmanship & history are the primary drivers behind his curiosity. The sale is reflective of a boundless compulsion for collecting both in personal pursuit but also for clients and friends alike.
His collection, which was drawn from every corner of the United Kingdom and beyond, encompasses a range of fine, decorative and design furniture alongside classic works of art and an eclectic mix of objects curated to add and create atmosphere and interest to the home.
Joe Robinson Head of Sale at Dreweatts describes Tobin’s collection as “a sweet shop filled with many visual treats, a window into his bohemian aesthetic characterised by subtlety, atmosphere and authenticity. All offering buyers a wonderful opportunity to obtain some truly unique pieces that might befit a contemporary space, as much as a more traditional one.”
Describing his taste, Tobin states “My personal taste lends itself to “an anti-decoration, high bohemian flavour... well- worn grandeur, charm, comfort and unexpected contrasts across age, nation and material. Now, as I turn to focus on my advisory business, I am now very excited to share the joy I have always had in objects and the opportunity, for those whose wish to share in it”
Highlights in the sale include:
A carved oak gothic revival library armchair of an impressive scale and incorporating a plethora of typical stylistic elements, including tracery, quatrefoils and spandrels, making it the epitome of neo-gothic architecture in chair form. It comes to the market at a time in interior decoration when the world of gothic is slowly seeing a revival in modern homes as novelty but immensely chic statement pieces.
Also included in the sale is an impressive Victorian satin maple sofa in the ‘Jacobethian’ style, designed by the English architect E.M Barry for the Damask Room at Crewe Hall. Barry was the third son of Sir Charles Barry of Westminster fame and was instructed by Hungerford Crewe, 3rd Baron Crewe to restore Crewe Hall after a devastating fire in 1866 and the present sofa was a subsequent commission as it was somewhat of a tradition in the 18th and 19th centuries for architects to turn their hands at furniture design. Crewe Hall and its interiors were considered some of the architects best works along with the completed of the New Palace of Westminster after the death of his father. The sofa would then pass by decent to the 1st Marquess of Crewe.
Modern design is represented in the form of a pair of blue painted model 1459 armchairs created circa 1935 and likely manufactured by Fritz Hansen. Fritz Hansen was founded in 1872, when Fritz Hansen, a Danish carpenter, founded his own furniture company and in 1915 introduced his first chair in steam bent wood. In 1934, Fritz Hansen began his collaboration with Arne Jacobsen resulting in some of the famous, classic icons of Danish Design including the 'Ant' (1952), the 'Series 7' (1955), the 'Grand Prix' (1957) the 'Swan' (1958), and the 'Egg' (1958).
For the more decorative collector or interior enthusiast there are many objects to suit every budget and aesthetic! From a pair of rope and vellum wall lanterns by Audoux Minet, a pink ceramic table lamp by Jacques and Dani Ruelland or a Mid 20th Century Burr wood occasional table, to a pair of Franco-Prussian lamps constructed out of bayonetted parts, and an Austrian inlaid ‘Gypsy’ table by Franz Wiesauer bearing the coat of arms and motto for Clan Stewart.
Photo Credits - India Hobson
Notes to Editors
Guy Tobin joined the auction house world at the lowest rung enabling him to come into contact with and handle hundreds of objects in multiple sales week-in-week-out lead him to a love and understanding of antique furniture. From there it was a short hop the magnificent galleries of iconic dealer Christopher Hodsoll where he further developed his connoisseurship over a period years. When Hodsoll closed, Guy went into partnership with another dealer with fathomless knowledge, Patrick Jefferson. Always gathering new information for his visual memory, he was then given the opportunity to join Rose Uniacke as the first employee, remaining there for over a decade to oversee and drive the growth in the antiques and product design side of her business.
Having departed the Pimlico Road in 2022, Guy Tobin now focuses on advising a handful of clients with sales, acquisition and valuations. In addition to this advisory business, the auction at Dreweatts will also see him launching a new collection of furniture and lighting.
About Dreweatts
Dreweatts was established in 1759 and is one of the foremost auction houses in the UK. It comprises 22 specialist departments ranging from Fine Art (Old Master Paintings, British & European Pictures, Modern & Contemporary art), Jewellery and Watches, Silver, Wine, Books and Manuscripts, British & European Ceramics & Glass, Decorative Arts & Modern Design, Ephemera, Furniture, House Sales & Collections, Clocks, Barometers and Scientific Instruments, Asian Ceramics and Works of Art and Live Steam and Model Engineering. It holds regular specialist sales from a highly-qualified expert team, totalling more than 70 sales per year including curated Interiors sales, single owner collections and house sales.
Dreweatts is a member of the Gurr Johns group of international art advisory businesses. Its’ main saleroom is Donnington Priory in Newbury, Berkshire. It has a London showroom on Pall Mall, St James’s and caters to a global clientele.
As well as auctions, the company offers valuation services for private individuals, lawyers, executors, family offices and fiduciary agents to provide the necessary advice to assist with probate and estate management and market valuations, for possible sale. Dreweatts valuation services include free online auction valuations, virtual valuations, home visits and valuation days at our salerooms, where clients can receive advice on buying and selling from Dreweatts market - leading specialists.
Website: www.dreweatts.com
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