In recent years August has increasingly become the month to take some time off work and recharge the batteries. The art and antiques world is no different - the major auction houses wrapped up their seasons back in mid-July and will not be holding any significant sales until early September. With one exception - a major sale of Scottish pictures to be held at the end of August.... more of that later.

Recommendations
For those of us keen to do business during this period it is a good time to scour the country in search of hidden gems whilst others read trashy novels in the sun. We have uploaded a handful of interesting finds and potential bargains onto the Recommendations page.

Museum Pieces
While keeping an eye on what turns up in the country we have also been involved in several fascinating projects involving some museum quality pieces of English furniture. These include a remarkable pair of 36-inch globes made in 1860 and the only known pair to still be in private hands, and a stunning carved mahogany sofa supplied by the Royal cabinet-makers Vile & Cobb to the 6th Earl of Coventry for Croome Court, Worcestershire.

The Scottish Colourists
The art market has come to expect a short sharp jab in the arm at the end of August when a variety of Scottish pictures go under the hammer at Gleneagles Hotel. In recent years a group of artists collectively known as The Scottish Colourists have attracted a great deal of attention and demand. Highly influenced by Post-impressionism, the Fauvist Movement and Dutch still life painting, a small number of Scottish artists travelled independently to Paris at the end of the 19th century to soak up the dynamic artistic scene. Artists such as Samuel John Peploe, Francis Cadell, George Leslie Hunter and John Fergusson soon developed their own styles and later became known as The Scottish Colourists. Their work is characterised by enigmatic brushstrokes while using bright, vivid colouring. A comparison of prices paid for Fauvist and Post-impressionist artists with those of The Scottish Colourists indicates what good value a great example of the latter still represents. A number of highlights from the sale can be seen on the Recommendations page.

If we can be of any help please do get in touch.

Tim Corfield and Daniel Morris

George Leslie Hunter (1877-1931), Still Life with Dahlias and Fruit