18th Mar, 2023 9:30 GMT/BST
Spring Fine Sale
146
A Mexican Feather Mosaic Picture, 16th century, worked in coloured, painted and gilt feathers with St Christopher carrying the Christ child and a palm frond in landscape within a scroll and geometric border
29cm by 20cm
Having flourished as an Aztec art form in pre-Columbian Mexico, the Spanish colonists prevented the Amantecas, or feather artists, from continuing to produce their traditional indigenous subjects, however they did encourage them to produce Christian subjects.
In the 16th century many such pieces were sent to Europe to show the quality of this exotic art and also to represent the progress made in the conversion of the New World to Christianity.
For a discussion of this technique see Images Take Flight: Feather Art in Mexico and Europe 1400-1700
Sold for £18,000
Estimated at £700 - £1,000
Feather low on colour. Some slight loss to fethers. Some discolouration / staining.
Purported to have been in the vendors family for three generations. Originally brought to England by her Grandmother's brother after a tour in 1909.
Prospective overseas buyers should make their own enquiries regarding export.
We are happy to provide Condition Reports to Prospective Buyers, but would welcome your request as soon as possible, preferably at least 48 hours before the Day of Sale.
We cannot guarantee a reply to any requests made within 48 hours of the start of the auction. The absence of a condition report from a lot does not mean that the lot is in perfect condition.
A Condition Report is an honest expression of our opinion, not a statement of fact and is provided as a service to the Seller. All lots are available on public view ahead of an auction and we encourage people to see an item in person when possible.
Our Condition Reports are not prepared by professional conservators, restorers or engineers, and are prepared with the naked eye unless otherwise stated.
Works are not examined out of the frame, unless specifically stated. We accept no liability for the opinions expressed in any Condition Report.
Tennants Auctioneers do not cover damage to gilded wood or plaster picture frames, or to picture frame glass whilst the item is in our possession.
Auction: Spring Fine Sale, 18th Mar, 2023
The sale will include a strong offering of European ceramics including a Private Collection of 18th Century Meissen Figures, including examples from the 'Cris de Paris' series, and good examples of Sevres porcelain and biscuit porcelain figures. Further highlights include an exhibition qualilty side cabinet by Gillows, a Private Collection of Welsh Lovespoons, and a Private Collection of Paperweights.
Viewing
Sunday 12th March 11am-4pm, Monday 13th March - Friday 17th March 10am-4pm, and the morning of the sale from 8am.
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