A Gentleman’s Cabinet of Curiosities
by Murray Crane
Sotheby's currently have an incredible collection from the estate of the late, Naim Attallah, CBE (1931–2021). A true rake, the contents of his Mayfair, London apartment are a treasure trove of the very best in gentleman’s accessories.
A vast array of precious ephemera including jewel-like objects by great 20th century makers (including Fabergé), watches, fine silver, porcelains, art glass, icons, miniatures, 19th century paintings, hardstones, ethnographic art and European decorative art.
Here are some of my favourite pieces:
- - A pair of ruby cufflinks, late 19th century. Each of ovoid shape, set with a cabochon ruby and highlighted by a striated fan-shaped panel, opening to reveal a glazed compartment.
- - An interesting collection of thirty-four walking sticks and canes from the late 19th/early 20th centuries.
- - Intaglio erotica - four 19th century hard stone intaglios depicting a couple in various scenes of copulation and fellatio.
- - A 1940's silver and enamel cigarette case with the lid decorated in enamel with an erotic scene of a young woman loosely based on a Gibson Girl.
- - A collection of gentleman's travelling accessories from the early 20th centuries.
- - A Korean Jakhodo watercolour on silk depicting a leopard, two tigers and a magpie.
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