14th Jun, 2025 9:30 GMT/BST
Modern & Contemporary Art
332
Dame Laura Knight RA, RWS, RE, RWA, PSWA, DBE (1877-1970)
"Joey"
Signed and inscribed "Bertram Mills Circus", mixed media, 21.5cm by 17cm (unframed)
Fascinated with the world of theatre, ballet, and the circus, Laura Knight encountered the famous Bertram Mills circus in 1920. She was captivated by all aspects, depicting the spectacular shows, characters, and the animals behind the scenes. She became a founder member of the Circus Fans' Association and painted many famous works, including "The Grand Parade Charivari" which was exhibited at the Royal Academy in 1929. She travelled with the circus and also painted promotional material depicting the leading acts.
Sold for £1,300
Estimated at £300 - £500
Slight time staining to the paper. There is a paler line approx 1.5cm in from the left hand side vertical down the piece. Sporadic areas of medium to large sized foxing throughout, in particualr to upper right to the right of the blue, lower left below the donkey's nose and lower right corner.
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: Modern & Contemporary Art, 14th Jun, 2025
Two interesting works by Alfred Wallis, self-taught fisherman-artist from St Ives, will lead the Modern & Contemporary Art Sale; Sailboats and Fish and Steamboats and Lighthouse were purchased by the vendor’s grandmother directly from the artist. Heading a good offering of Northern Art in the sale are three works by Helen Bradley, who reinvented herself as an internationally acclaimed artist aged 75. Using a soft yet colourful palette and simple two-dimensional figures, she illustrated short narrative accounts based on early childhood memories of growing up in the Edwardian era.
Other artists represented in the sale include David Hockney, Lynn Chadwick, Madeline Green, Norman Cornish, Brian 'Braaq' Shields, Sally Arnup, Kenneth Armitage, Henry Moore, Paul Nash and Howard Hodgkin.
Click here to find out more about consigning to upcoming sales
Viewing
Thursday 12 June - Friday 13 June 10am-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.
