Property From the Estate of John Damien Parsons (1926-2022)
Lots 836-861
Born in 1926, his mother, Olive Netta Franklin, descended from a Jewish banking family (a descendant of Samuel Montagu, 1st Baron Swaythling), who were interested in art and collecting. His father, John Frederick Parsons, married Olive and the family lived in Hampstead, London.
Mr Parsons, after completing National Service in Palestine, went on to qualify as an architect which he practised for 30 years and where he started collecting art and antiquities in the 50's. Marrying Patricia Beer (1919-1999) a renowned poet, novelist and literary critic in 1964, they continued to grow their collections in the 60's which included engravings, prints, books, African figures, and their first Asian ceramics, including a Japanese Seto ware tray. They moved to Devon in 1969, but retained a flat in Hampstead, and then Kensington.
The collection burgeoned in the 1970's and 1980's with inherited items from family members including Asian items as well as items of Art Nouveau and Art Deco. After 1999 Mr Parsons would be found in London exhibitions and auction rooms, developing his collections and passions until his death in 2022.
A BURL-INSET HONGMU PEDESTAL DESK, JIAJI'AN
19th century
The rectangular detachable top comprising a burl inset floating panel above three drawers, each with burl inlaid panels and a lion head-form handle, supported on the underside by two transverse stretchers, above two pedestals each having a single matching drawer, supported on square-section legs joined by interlocking 'cracked ice' stretchers, with a separate matching footrest.
128cm (50 1/2in) long. (4).
十九世紀 紅木嵌癭木几案