Holy theme to Christmas-period sale

SOMEWHAT fittingly for the Christmas period, images of Christ feature large at the first general sale of the new year at Moore Allen & Innocent’s Cirencester auction rooms on Friday, January 4.

The first is a portrait of Jesus, after the renowned artist Guido Reni (1575 to 1642) painted in watercolours onto a cobweb. The cobweb has been stretched across a frame, allowing the artist to paint on to the delicate material. As the web is transparent, the picture can be viewed from both sides.

Auctioneer Philip Allwood said: “This is a rare thing. You don’t see many paintings done on cobweb, although it is possible to use oils and watercolours on them. Obviously, it takes a delicate hand and a lot of care has gone into this painting.”

It is expected that the portrait will achieve between £50 and £80.

Mid-19th century designs for stained glass windows will also feature in the auction. Two black ink drawings on paper seem to be the original plans for stained glass windows at St Mary’s Church in Dalkeith, Scotland and the church of St John in Hildenborough, Kent.

“Both churches were built in the mid 1800s as chapels of ease”, said Philip. “It is likely that these are the original designs from which the stained glass windows were made.”

The window for St Mary’s church features St Francis of Assisi with a lamb at his feet. The window for St John’s features Jesus on the cross, and Mary weeping at his feet. Each is expected to achieve between £30 and £50.

Finally, for bidders wishing to record Acts of God, a 19th century barograph in a mahogany case will be just the job.

Made by T Baird & Sons, Glasgow – the well-known manufacturer of scientific instruments – the machine records rising and falling atmospheric pressure on a seven-day cylindrical chart.

“The Met Office tells us 2007 will be the warmest year on record,” said Philip, “but we also had one of the wettest summers. The barograph allows the user to look back on our weird weather. It’s also a handsome desktop piece.”

A portrait of Jesus on cobweb	Designs for stained glass windows
A T Baird & Sons barograph