15th Jul, 2023 11:00 GMT/BST
British, European & Sporting Art
1233
Montague Dawson (1890–1973)
"HMS Amethyst running the Yangtse Gauntlet, 30th July 1949"
Signed, oil on canvas, 49cm by 75cm
The present painting was specially painted for The Sphere Magazine No.2599.
"It depicts the moment of the Frigate returning fire soon after the start of her historic dash down to the sea."
In 1949 during the Chinese civil war - HMS Amethyst was ordered up the Yangtse river to act as defence for the British Embassy at Ninjang. Communist artillery attacked the ship when it was approx 70 miles from Ninjang. In an attempt to evade the heavy fire Amethyst ran aground and tragically 17 of the crew were lost and 10 wounded. Over the ensuing days failed attempts were made to re-float the ship and after a treacherous and long journey it was eventually restored back into the British Far East Fleet at Shanghai. When it finally arrived at Hong Kong after a three month ordeal it was the centre of much press and publicity as it's fateful three month mission had been understandably followed with great interest.
Sold for £16,000
Estimated at £10,000 - £15,000
Auction: British, European & Sporting Art, 15th Jul, 2023
The British, European and Sporting Art Sale at Tennants Auctioneers will see a fine equestrian portrait of ‘Lady Caroline Held by a Groom, Newmarket’ attributed to Thomas Spencer (1700-1763) go under the hammer. It will be joined by notable lots from the Estate of Martin & Felicity Mackintosh of Harrogate, including a rich and plentiful still life of game, fruit and flowers by Hendrik Reekers (1815-1854), and further works by the likes of Ford Madox Brown and William Holman Hunt from the Estate of the late Ian Stephenson of Laithes, Penrith, Cumbria. Other notable lots include Montague Dawson's “HMS Amethyst running the Yangtse Gauntlet, 30th July 1949”.
Viewing
Sunday 9 July to Friday 14 July 11am-4pm and morning of sale from 8am
Sell one like this
If you've got a similar item to sell, complete the valuation form below and one of our experts will get in touch.
