The renowned Twinight Collection, known for its museum-quality fine porcelain and enamel masterpieces, is set to make a triumphant return to Bonhams. A selection of its exquisite pieces will be featured in the “500 Years of European Ceramics” sale, scheduled for Tuesday, December 3, at Bonhams New Bond Street.
Nette Megens, the Head of Continental Ceramics at Bonhams, remarked, “The Twinight Collection boasts one of the preeminent collections of enamel portraits, including works by the celebrated English miniature painter Henry Bone (1755-1834). Bone achieved worldwide fame during his lifetime, touring some of the grandest homes in the United Kingdom and earning the Royal Patronage of George III, George IV, and William IV. This sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire works of such exceptional quality and prestige by the ‘Prince of Enamelers’.”
Among the more than 25 works by Henry Bone included in the sale is a striking portrait of Sofonisba Regina. She is depicted wearing a single-shouldered, deep burgundy velvet dress with a slashed sleeve, a composition inspired by Titian’s “Girl in a Fur Coat,” now housed in the Kunsthistorisches Museum, Vienna. This refined portrait carries an estimated value of £10,000-15,000.
Richard Baron Cohen: An Extraordinary Collector
Richard Baron Cohen, the mastermind behind The Twinight Collection, began his journey into the world of fine porcelain when he encountered an urn in an antique shop in New Orleans. This sparked a passion that culminated in a collection of 7,000 pieces. Over a span of 20 years, Baron Cohen estimates he acquired approximately 1.4 pieces of porcelain or a portrait miniature every other day. His particular fascination with 19th-century neo-classical porcelain drove him to search for pieces across the globe, sourcing from a variety of manufactories rather than focusing on a single one. This unique approach has cemented his status as one of the world’s most distinguished collectors.
Rare Meissen Porcelain, Including the Illustrious Swan Service
The Meissen manufactory, established in 1710, continues to be one of the most coveted names in European ceramics. The sale includes a rare and extensive early 19th-century Meissen service, decorated in high relief and accented with gilding, featuring various scenes inspired by antiquity. This impressive collection, estimated at £30,000-50,000, comprises 48 pieces, including coffee pots, tea pots, smaller hot chocolate pots, tea and chocolate cups, saucers, plates, and more.
Additionally, the sale will feature items from the most famous high baroque Meissen porcelain service, the Swan Service. Highlights include a pair of Meissen circular dishes (2nd size) from the Swan Service, estimated at £20,000-30,000, and a Meissen circular dish (5th size) from the Swan Service, circa 1738-39, also estimated at £20,000-30,000. This opulent service was commissioned by the significant Saxon/Polish cabinet minister, Count Heinrich von Brühl (1700-1763), and originally comprised over 2,200 pieces.
Sèvres: Perpetually Leading European Ceramic Production
A Sèvres perfume burner and cover, dating back to circa 1807, stands out for its exquisite decoration and delicacy, showcasing the mastery of its artists. The dolphin-footed bowl is adorned with butterflies and bordered with a red ground band around the underside of the scalloped rim, filled with alternating stylized gilt flowers and rosettes. Perfume burners, sometimes referred to as veilleuse, served as night lights and were used to scent rooms by burning aromatic oils or dried herbs. This piece carries an estimate of £30,000-50,000.
The Sèvres Porcelain Manufactory, founded in 1745, has continuously remained at the forefront of European ceramic production, adapting to the numerous changes in technology, taste, and patronage. A highly decorated and large vase, ‘Vase d’Angers au Gui,’ made almost a century later than the perfume burner, attests to this enduring excellence. Standing an impressive 95 cm in height and dated 1902, the vase showcases the incredible skill and artistry of the manufactory. It features molded decoration of stylized mistletoe hanging from blue entwining ribbon and wrapped around twigs of oak and holly. The vase, signed by Léonard Gébleux (1883-1929), who served as chef des ateliers de décoration at Sèvres, is estimated at £15,000-20,000.
Other Highlights of the Sale
Other notable items in the sale include:
- A Meissen octagonal plate from the ‘Christie-Miller’ service, circa 1740, with an estimate of £10,000-15,000.
- A German school gilt-metal locket containing eight family portraits, circa 1600, estimated at £8,000-12,000.
- An exceptionally rare pair of gilt-bronze-mounted Chantilly tobacco jars and covers, circa 1740, estimated at £6,000-8,000.
This event promises to be a significant occasion for collectors and enthusiasts alike, offering a chance to acquire some of the finest examples of European ceramics.
