Evening talk at Arundells, 23rd July
23rd July 2026-
Specialists Ned Cowell, Alexandra Aguilar and John Axford, speakers at the Arundells evening event, 23rd July 2026
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A rare and important Japanese lacquer cabinet for the Dutch market, Edo Period, c. 1680, Sold for over £100,000 in 2021
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A rare 'privateer' opaque twist wine glass, c. 1760. inscribed 'Eagle Frigate', the best known of the Bristol 'Privateers'. (Lot 1001 in British and Continental Ceramics & Glass sale, 2nd July 2026)
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A model warship made by Napoleonic prisoners of war in the Arundells collection
The sea has long connected people, cultures and ideas, leaving its mark on the objects that survive today. On Thursday 23 July, Woolley and Wallis will join Arundells in Salisbury for a special summer evening exploring the fascinating relationship between maritime history and the decorative arts. Bringing together three specialists through a series of engaging talks, guests will discover how the movement of people and goods across the seas has influenced the creation, ownership and survival of extraordinary works of art and historical artefacts.
Asian Art specialist and Head of the Japanese Art Department, Alexandra Aguilar, will share the story of one of her favourite discoveries to come to auction: a spectacular 17th-century Japanese lacquer cabinet once owned by the Barclays banking dynasty. Richly decorated with scenes depicting Dutch East India Company ships arriving at Dejima during Japan’s Edo period, the cabinet offers a rare and vivid insight into the meeting of Eastern and Western cultures through maritime trade.
Chairman and Asian Art Specialist, John Axford MRICS, will explore a remarkable group of 18th-century privateer wine glasses. Engraved with the names and images of ships authorised by the Crown to attack enemy vessels during wartime, these rare commemorative objects reveal how naval achievement, national pride and personal ambition were celebrated in the decorative arts.
Completing the evening’s programme, Associate Director and specialist in Medals & Coins and Arms & Armour, Ned Cowell, will examine a collection of extraordinary objects created by French prisoners of war during the Napoleonic Wars. Focusing on four intricate bone ship models from the Arundells collection, his talk will highlight the ingenuity, craftsmanship and resilience of those who produced these remarkable works while imprisoned in Britain.
The evening will conclude with a question and answer session. A bar will also be available throughout the event.
Event Details:
Date: Thursday 23 July
Doors Open: 5.30pm
Talks Begin: 7.00pm
Venue: Arundells, 59 Cathedral Close, Salisbury, SP1 2EN
Tickets: £18, available HERE
