Fine Art, Antique and Collectables Sale Report - Thursday 21st February 2019

Thu 21 February 2019

The Portcullis Saleroom had a highly successful sale on 21st February.
A large proportion of the sale comprised objects of art, ceramics and country oak furniture from the estate of the Knighton artist and pottery connoisseur Islwyn Watkins who sadly died just before Christmas. Naturally, this generated huge pre-sale interest with the many collectors who knew and respected him.
The 100 or so lots offered were the first tranche of antiques from the estate. Many more will be included in our March sale and subsequent sales.
Islwyn Watkins was a Welsh artist, potter and ceramics expert, born in Tonypandy, Rhondda in 1938. He studied at Cardiff College of Art from 1954 to 1959 and he was much influenced by the work of Kurt Schwitters. Islwyn was a member of The Welsh Group from 1959.
He taught art at Ravenscroft School from 1959 to 1964 and later studied lithography at Hornsey College of Art.
In 1960, Islwyn started to make abstract assemblages from waste wood and metal. He moved to Knighton in Radnorshire in 1978 and was appointed chair of The Welsh Group.
At the 2000 Brecon Jazz Festival, he collaborated with Jeff Nuttall to create Merz Jam, an installation inspired by Kurt Schwitters with Lol Coxhill performing.
Examples of his work are held at the National Museum of Wales.

Nearly all lots from the estate far exceeded pre-sale estimates.
Notable results included: an oak spoon rack at £340; an oak Welsh cutlery tray at £320; a carved oak lion mask at £750; three items of Michael Cardew pottery at £1250; eleven assemblage artworks by Watkins selling from £220 to £500; Windsor chairs selling from £220 to £1500; an elm cricket table at £860; a 19th century potter’s wheel at £310; an 18th century settle at £780 and a smokers bow elbow chair at £360.

Our next sale to include items from this estate will be held on Thursday 21st March at 1.00pm.

For more information please contact the Ludlow Saleroom on 01584 878822.

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