Gallery Director, Ian Dejardin, introduces Ken Howard and painting
The centrepiece of Dulwich Picture Gallery’s traditional Christmas Bazaar was an auction conducted by Honorary Chairman of Christies and Trustee of the Gallery, Noël Annesley.
Dozens of people crammed into the Gallery the evening of Thursday 19 November, some to take part, many just to watch. Over fifteen bidders entered the contest to buy Ken Howard RA’s painting of Venice in the Snow, the subject of this year‘s Gallery Christmas card. The bidding was egged on by Noël, as a stylish and amusing and very proper auctioneer, until there were only three bidders left. By that time the asking price was above an incredible £10,000. Finally two of the bidders fell out and left Kate Knowles, acting on behalf of an anonymous buyer, to pay £15,000 for the painting. This is a fantastic sum, most of which will be donated by Ken Howard to the Gallery.
Before and after the auction the cloister and Linbury Room were packed with members and visitors who were greeted with an amazing array of quality merchandise provided by local artists and shops. Roulier White had Creed Perfumes, the cloister smelled delicious.
Dulwich Picture Gallery Christmas Bazaar
Chris Keenan had his wonderful celandine pottery. Antonia Lacorine had a selection of Alpaca goods, hats knitwear and some soft alpaca teddies. Nic Webb had a selection of his hand whittled spoons, some made from the swamp cypress that was in the Gallery garden. Flux Studios had a huge selection of handmade jewellery beautifully displayed and lit. Layla Mather’s Mama Ruby bags sold like hot cakes. Ditto Sally Childs beautiful scarves. Lelly Young’s appliquéd textile cushions shone like jewels and were real works of art.
It was a wonderful warm and very friendly evening, getting the Christmas season off to a good start. The Christmas trees, donated by The Christmas Forest (- Jct. of South Circular Dulwich Common and Lordship Lane), have been erected in the Gallery grounds. And it’s only three weeks to go!!!
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One Comment
As this Christmas Bazaar was such a successful event we would like to repeat it at about the same time next year……2010. Would any craftspeople who would be interested in taking a table, £25, very reasonable, be kind enough to email me. Thank you, Judy Mewburn