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Sworders’ Asian Art Sale Highlights Private Collections of David Battie and Desmond Kirkpatrick
Essex auction house Sworders is set to host a significant Asian Art sale on May 15-16, 2024, featuring a private collection from David Battie, a longstanding BBC Antiques Roadshow specialist, and his wife, Sarah. The sale also includes items from the estate of globetrotter and collector Desmond ‘Des’ Kirkpatrick, alongside rare books from the Arthur Probsthain Bookshop. The auction offers a diverse range of Chinese and Japanese ceramics, Tibetan bronzes, and early photographic books, with estimates ranging from £50 to £15,000.
David Battie’s Collection: A Legacy of Expertise
David Battie, renowned for his 43-year tenure on the BBC Antiques Roadshow (1977-2020), brings a lifetime of expertise to the sale. His career began at Sotheby’s in 1965, where he worked in the Ceramics and Oriental Works of Art departments until 1999. Over the years, Battie has curated a personal collection of Chinese and Japanese ceramics that reflect the evolution of craftsmanship and cultural exchange. The collection spans from the understated elegance of Song dynasty monochromes to the vibrant designs of Ming and Qing export wares.
Sworders specialist Yexue Li praised Battie’s collection, noting that his “deep knowledge and personal engagement with these works breathe life into the collection.” The sale presents an opportunity for both seasoned collectors and newcomers to explore the enduring appeal of East Asian ceramics through Battie’s discerning eye. Many of the 111 lots are accessibly priced, with estimates starting at just £50 and going up to £600.
Desmond Kirkpatrick’s Global Treasures
The sale also features 77 lots from the estate of Desmond Kirkpatrick (1932-2024), a passionate traveler and collector who transformed his Lower Manhattan apartment into a mini-museum. Kirkpatrick’s journeys took him to every corner of the globe, including restricted regions like China, Tibet, and Bhutan in the 1970s, where he acquired many of his cherished pieces.
Among the highlights from Kirkpatrick’s collection is a Yongzheng (1723-1735) mark and period blue and white incense burner, estimated at £10,000-15,000. The burner is intricately painted with dragons chasing flaming pearls amidst clouds and bears an inscription commemorating its dedication in 1729. Another notable piece is a Guangxu (1875-1908) period rectangular vase with a striking flambé-glaze of oxblood streaked with dark green, expected to fetch £500-800. Early Tibetan bronzes include a 13th-century bronze lama, seated cross-legged with hands in Bhumisparsha mudra, estimated at £200-300.
Rare Books from Arthur Probsthain Bookshop
The sale also includes 67 lots from the Arthur Probsthain Bookshop, a London institution established in 1903. Specializing in literature from Asia, Africa, and the Middle East, the bookshop has supplied rare texts to museums, libraries, and collectors worldwide. Among the consigned items is one of the rarest early photo books about Shanghai, published in 1893 to mark the 50th anniversary of the Shanghai Settlement. The book features 12 collotypes of winter views and includes a preface highlighting the severe winter of 1892-93. Printed by Ogawa Kazumasa, a leading publisher of collotype books in Tokyo, and issued by Shanghai-based Kelly & Walsh, the book is estimated at £700-1,000.
Another standout is an 1898 Chinese version of Journey to the East of His Imperial Highness the Tsesarevich 1890-1891, bound in original full vellum with gilt decoration. This rare book, with only a handful of known copies, is estimated at £200-400. Other copies are held in the National Library of Russia, the Palace Museum in Beijing, and the Peking University collection.
A Sale for Collectors of All Levels
Sworders’ Asian Art sale offers a unique blend of historical significance, artistic beauty, and accessibility. David Battie’s collection provides a curated journey through the history of East Asian ceramics, while Desmond Kirkpatrick’s treasures reflect a lifetime of global exploration and passion for collecting. The inclusion of rare books from Arthur Probsthain Bookshop adds a literary dimension to the auction, appealing to bibliophiles and historians alike.
With estimates ranging from £50 to £15,000, the sale caters to collectors of all levels, from those seeking affordable entry points to seasoned enthusiasts looking for rare and high-value pieces. The auction promises to be a celebration of Asian art and culture, brought to life through the stories and expertise of its contributors.
