The Art of Nature

The Art of Nature

Date: 29th Apr, 2025 11:00
Location: Barley Mow Centre
Lots: 237

Nature – as an art form, as inspiration to create art – is celebrated in its full diverse glory in our inaugural Art of Nature sale. Inspired by the natural world, we have curated an auction spanning books and prints, jewellery and silver, paintings and fossils. While nature is ‘red in tooth and claw’, it is also the lavender-purple of an amethyst geode, the rich hues of flowers in an Old Master still life, the shining gilt on a silver snail, and the iridescence of the tail feathers of a peacock.

Highlights include works by Thomas Gainsborough, Michel Ghatan, John Gould, Wencelsaus Hollar, Wilhelm Kuhnert, David Shepherd, Archibald Thorburn and Simon 'the stuffa' Wilson.

We have arranged the sale in three sections:

LAND (lots 1 – 166) begins with mountainous landscapes, sweeping down to shaded woods and trees, vines and the world of beautiful flowers and plants. We then dive underground, to the world of geodes, crystals, and fools gold. Darwin's 'On the Origin of Species' then marks the switch to the animal kingdom, from elephants and lions, to cats, dogs and rats.

SEA (lots 167- 197) begins with stunning seascapes, fish, sea creatures, shells, and then under the sea bed for ammonite fossils

AIR (Lots 198 – 236), is headlined by John Gould’s Birds of Great Britain, in all 25 original parts, followed by the birds and the bees, peacocks, owls and the bones of a bat.

Check out our blog about Earth Day in the Stories section of our website.

Whether you're an art collector, a conservationist, or simply passionate about nature, this sale offers a rare opportunity to acquire meaningful, museum-quality pieces that reflect the beauty and fragility of our environment.

Viewing exclusively at the Barley Mow Centre, W4 4PH:

Sat 26 April 11am - 4pm
Mon 28 April  10am - 5pm
Tues 29 April 9am - 11am (sale day)

NEW REGISTRATIONS: If you wish to bid in this sale you will need to register at least 24 hours before the auction begins. You will not be able to bid if you register with less than 24 hours' notice.

Please send photo ID and proof of address to bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk. You may also be required to leave a deposit for higher value items: please contact bids@chiswickauctions.co.uk for more information.

Bidding from home is quick and easy through the following methods: 

  • Online via our bidding platform Chiswick Live 
  • Telephone bidding
  • Absentee bidding 

We recommend that you view any items you intend to purchase as refunds will not be issued for buyer's remorse. Condition reports are available on request. This does not affect your statutory rights.

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