Kime on a dime: Missed out on the Robert Kime auction? How to recreate the look on a budget
12 October 2023 The auction of the collection of the late Robert Kime held at Dreweatts last week was a white glove affair making a hammer total of £7.6m.
A group of upcoming lots at Mallams on October 16 including a plaster cast of a classical torso, estimated at £100-200.
Many coveted lots soared well past estimate leaving scores of disappointed bidders.
If you want to try to mimic the style of the top interior designers like the late Robert Kime, but you have a considerably smaller budget, there are plenty of items available at other upcoming online auctions.
Here is a selection of 10 items coming up at auction this month.
Pair of lamps
Robert Kime had many examples of pairs of lamps, often Chinese ginger jars converted into lamps.
This example of a pair of Chinese blue and white crackle glaze porcelain lidded ginger jars converted to lamps are estimated at £80-120 at John Rolfe Auctions on October 22.
Painted furniture
Kime’s collection included a number of examples of Victorian painted furniture from a four poster bed to a cabinet.
This Victorian Classical influenced painted wood bookcase decorated with a heraldic crest and classical ruins and symbols is estimated at £200-300 at Dominic Winter on October 19.
Kashan rug
There were many examples of Islamic art and artefacts in the Kime collection, including textiles.
This central Persian Kashan crimson ground carpet has an estimate of £600-800 at David Duggleby on October 21.
Islamic script
This 11th-12th century loose miniature Kufic Qur’an folio catalogued as from the near East or Iran, is estimated at £150-200 at Chiswick Auctions on October 31.
Suzani
A c.1900 handwoven embroidered suzani textile from Uzbekistan is estimated upwards of €200 at Auktionshaus Schreiber on October 21.
Attic vase
An Attic black-figure lekythos from the workshop of the Emporion Painter, early 5th century BC. This example was previously bought at Bonhams in July 1993. This time it is estimated at £600-800 at Rosberys on October 30.
Horse painting
Dog and horse paintings featured in the Robert Kime collection at Dreweatts including English School naïve style pictures.
This 19th century horse picture by John Herring Senior (1795-1865) titled A Trotting Horse, is estimated at £2500-3500 at Dreweatts on October 18.
Delft plates
A group of 10 late 18th century English Delft plates estimated at £300-500 at Dreweatts on October 17.
Modern British Art
Robert Kime had a large collection of artworks by the top names in Modern British art from Christopher Wood and Eric Ravilious to Augustus John and Walter Sickert.
This Walter Sickert oil, La Maison Blanche, Dieppe 1902, is offered at Sworders next Modern British art sale with an estimate of £15,000-20,000 on October 17. It has provenance to dealer Arthur Tooth & Sons and sold in 2001 at Sotheby’s.
Folk art box
Robert Kime collected examples of folk art. This Welsh early 19th century oak and inlaid mural candle box is offered at Bishop & Miller with an estimate of £60-80 on October 18.
