Wonderful Welsh scenes to bid for if staycations have whetted your appetite
15 September 2021 Welsh auction house Rogers Jones prides itself on celebrating all things, er, Welsh.So much so that it holds regular sales offering items with a solid Welsh link. Regular names here include Sir Kyffin Williams in fine art and Swansea and Nantgarw in ceramics.
The Rogers Jones Timed Auction: Welsh Art & Welsh Pottery runs until September 26.
Shown here are five suggestions on what to buy if you would like a picture depicting the rugged and beautiful (but definitely also wet and wild at times) side of Wales.
Go west
Staycations are bringing home to many the joys of British holidays, albeit enforced perhaps. Why jet off to Tenerife when you have west Wales?
This poster (pictured above) designed by Harry Riley is a British Rail (Western Region) advertisement for Aberystwyth Where Holiday Fun Begins, c.1961, published by Fleming & Humphreys (Bayliss), 1m x 62cm.
It has been consigned to Rogers Jones from a private collection in London.
A word of warning: if it inspires you to join such crowds on the sandy beach prepare for a shock – Aberystwyth beach does not have sand in reality.
Estimate: £600-800.
To bid for the British Rail (Western Region) advertisement for Aberystwyth poster view the catalogue entry on thesaleroom.com.
The high life
This oil on canvas by Howard Morgan (b.1949) shows the powerful landscape of Llyn Llydaw and Snowdon, Wales’ highest mountain, with a seated shepherd resting on a rock. Signed and dated 1988, the 70 x 90cm work is estimated at £800-1200.
The artist is a notable painter of commissioned and Royalty portraits, in particular of the Queen.
Estimate: £800-1200.
View the catalogue entry for the oil on canvas by Howard Morgan (b.1949) of Llyn Llydaw and Snowdon on thesaleroom.com.
Let there be light
Sir Kyffin Williams is probably Wales’ most popular and famous artist and an original will set you back thousands – but you can buy your own Kyffin thanks to this coloured limited edition (369/750), Llanddwyn Lighthouse Anglesey at sunset, signed in full, 29 x 36cm.
Estimate: £300-400.
View the catalogue entry for the Kyffin Williams coloured limited edition Llanddwyn Lighthouse Anglesey at sunset on thesaleroom.com.
Crags of character
Back to the rugged Welsh countryside in the form of a John Blockley watercolour from 1995 showing the craggy Nant Ffrancon mountain scene, signed and dated label verso 1995, 30 x 44cm.
Estimate: £100-150.
View the catalogue entry for the John Blockley watercolour Nant Ffrancon mountain scene on the saleroom.com.
Ready and gable
A different ‘rugged’ side of Wales is evident in this striking etching by David Carpanini. The limited edition (11/20) etching of a south Wales street, titled to the margin Gable End, is signed and measures 35 x 47cm.
Estimate: £80-120.
Bid for the etching by David Carpanini titled Gable End on thesaleroom.com.