Kitchener Porcelains

9th November 2023

Chinese porcelains from the collection of Field Marshal Horatio Herbert Kitchener have been sold outside of the family for the first time in almost 150 years.

Items acquired by the famed British army officer and Secretary of State are listed in a leather-bound inventory that was made following his death in 1916, and 17 of the lots offered by Woolley and Wallis on 14^th November have been identified in this.

The Trustees of Kitchener’s will arranged for much of his collection be sold at auction, which it was  - by Sotheby’s in 1938. However, about a third of the collection was bought back by Viscountess Broome, who was married to Kitchener’s nephew and wanted to keep the collection together.

“Among the lots retained by the Viscountess Broome is a large 17^th century dish in a bright purple glaze,” explained John Axford, who is heading up the sale in Salisbury. “It’s an unusual piece, which we’ve also identified in the 1916 inventory as being one of a pair. The pair having been sadly damaged in the intervening years.”

The dish (lot 35) sold for £50,400. Other highlights of the collection included a rare blue and white ‘pomegranates’ vase (lot 38) which re-creates a design from the Ming dynasty - sold for £151,200; a large famille verte vase from the Kangxi period (1662-1722) - sold for £20,160; and a rare ‘magic fountain’ ewer (lot 46) from the 16^th century - sold for £18,900.

“Kitchener is often perceived as a somewhat brusque figure and, of course, became something of a poster child for the conscription effort of the First World War,” continued Axford. “What is less known is the gentler, more aesthetic side of his personality which saw him put together a wide and diverse collection of art and antiques with which to furnish his home, Broome Park in Kent. The pieces of Chinese porcelain on offer represent a range of styles and periods and demonstrate the diversity of his taste.”

Two substantial Coromandel lacquer screens also featured in the collection and would have been significant features in the décor at Broome Park.

The collection featured as part of the series of Asian Art sales at Woolley and Wallis, starting on 14^th November, and totalled £464,940*.

 

* All prices include buyer's premium.