A TABLE made for a French king, a 16th century Italian earthenware dish and artwork gathered by the family of a former Glasgow Lord Provost are likely to spark international interest next week.
Lyon & Turnbull are auctioning the eclectic mix from Lowood House, on the River Tweed near Melrose, amassed by two Scottish families – the Crum Ewings and the Hamiltons.
The Crum Ewing’s fortunes were established by James Ewing, Lord Provost and MP for Glasgow in the early 19th century, who co-founded the first “Provident” or “Savings” bank in the city at the age of 40. He also helped establishing the Glasgow Necropolis, and was involved in prison reform and many civic institutions, including the Andersonian – which was to become the University of Strathclyde – and the University of Glasgow.
Ewing lived in “Crawford Mansion”, on the site of what was to become Queen Street Station, in Glasgow, and went on to buy Strathleven House and estate in West Dunbartonshire.
He decorated his home with paintings and works of art, many bought before and around the time he and his wife, Jane, undertook a 13-month tour of Europe in 1844.
After his death the house passed through the family to relations Constance Crum Ewing and her husband, Ian Hamilton, who moved to Lowood in 1947. Among the very rare pieces being sold are a previously unrecorded 16th century Italian Urbino dish featuring the Biblical story where Delilah cuts Samson’s hair. There is also a table made by George Blake & Co for French King Louis-Philippe, commissioned in the late 1840s.
Gavin Strang, managing director and head of collections for Lyon & Turnbull said: “It’s always a privilege to handle the sale of treasures which have been in a family for centuries. There are some very unusual artefacts in this auction with wonderful stories attached. We anticipate international interest, especially given that the auction will be live online.”
The auction is on Wednesday.
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