The highlight of Summers Place’s first sale of the year this month will be a rare set of four carved marble figures representing the seasons. Dating from the late 17th/early 18th century the impressive life-size statues are expected to sell for up to £180,000.
 
Commissioned for the stately home La Granja Vella de Marti Codolar in Barcelona, Spain. The marble figures were made in France, and it is believed their design was inspired by sculptures created for the gardens of Versailles. The statues of Versailles were ordered by Louis XIV in 1674, this was during a 20 year period that art historians refer to as the 'Great Commission.' Designed by Charles Le Brun the substantial order included eight figures representing the four elements (Water, Earth, Air and Fire) and twenty-four statues grouped in fours portraying the Four Parts of the Day, the Seasons, the Elements, Human temperaments and Forms of Poetry.
 
The catalogue description of the impressive set calls to attention the fluidity of movement in the marble carving which they note is a ‘marked contrast to the plethora of stilted and formulaic examples carved in the 19th century’. Concluding the sale offers ‘ a rare opportunity to acquire one of the very few sets of life-size marble seasons to have come on the market for a considerable time, which marks them out as a rare survival from the period.’

The sealed bid auction features a magnificent Empire Style ormolu mounted mahogany panelled room (Lot 113) from circa 1880. Provenance for the grand panelling is the Villa Raymond Poincaré, the ex-President of France who owned the Villa la Pins in Eze, France. Made by the house of Bricard, many of the components, including the four large ormolu mounted mahogany panels are identical in size so can be adapted to a different configuration. The room and ceiling are expected to sell for £60,000 - £100,000.
 
Some other lots that caught my eye…
 
Lot 3: A pair of important carved Rosso Verona marble baths from La Suvera, Siena, country villa of Pope Julius II and latterly the Ricci family. Estimate £10,000 - £15,000
 
Lot 35: A rare Compton pottery winged hours pattern sundial. Estimate £1,000 - £1,500
 
Lot 39: A carved Portland stone and wrought iron roller attributed to Eric Gill. Estimate £1,000 - £2,000
 
Lot 114: A suite of four stained glass leaded panels, each signed L Avenet. Estimate £2,000 - £4,000
 
Lot 115: A leaded and stained glass arched rectangular panel. Estimate £300 - £500
 
There are many other stunning items for sale in the Garden & Natural History Auction including contemporary sculpture and minerals, see their website for the full catalogue.
 
Sale details
The Garden & Natural History
Live Auction (Lots 1-79) Tuesday 29th March at 1pm
Sealed Bid Auction (Lots 100-447) Bids are open now until 4pm Wednesday 30th March
 
View by appointment only
Summers Place Auctions, Walled Garden, Stane Street, Billingshurst, West Sussex RH14 9AB. Tel:+44(0)1403 331331