Published: 30/04/2026
In our 21st May auction we are delighted to be offering for sale a pencil sketch by John Constable.Of course John Constable is not only a household name, even for people that know little about the art world, being particularly well known for such great works as “The Hay Wain” and so many others in galleries and collections all around the world, he is considered one of the worlds and certainly one of our country’s finest artists.
This wonderful little sketch, depicting a gate in a wall by a woodland, leading to a small cottage drawn in an almost ghostly manner in the background, is clearly inscribed and dated on the lower left June 23, 1824, in a style and handwriting so very typical of Constable’s sketchbook works. Also being a typical sketchbook piece there is the further sketch on the reverse of a country ruin with trees in the full ground believed by some to be Hadleigh Castle but somehow not looking quite right for Hadley but certainly a ruin of note. Measuring only 19 cm x 2 7.3 cm it is not the largest work to have come on the market in recent years by any means but exquisite in its own way. Whilst we’re expecting plenty of interest in the piece for very good and obvious reasons it is still in the more affordable range for Constable with an estimate of £3000-£5000.
We also have a selection of other paintings and pictures in the sale that span many artistic styles to include:
Two lithographs after Sir Stanley Spencer. Another sought after British artist, although 100 years later than Constable, Spencer is known for his original style often depicting biblical figures and scenes but set in his home village of Cookham.
“Boating – June” No’d 21/75 and “Aunt Jenny’s garden” both signed in pencil with estimates of £80-120 and £150-250 respectively.
An oil painting by Raymond Harris-Ching, a contemporary New Zealand artist known for his painting and illustrations of birds and wildlife this rather dramatic piece “Black duck (anas superciliosa)” signed, titled and dated 2003 lower left, and signed and titled x 3 verso, 91.5 cm x 132.5 cm is in with an estimate £3000-5000.
And a more traditional painting by a follower of William Duffield “Peacock, roses, wild flowers, grapes, apples, peaches and a pineapple on a table in an extensive landscape with gilt ewer and nautilus shell cup on a draped ledge in the foreground”, oil on canvas, unsigned, bears label verso “The Railings Gallery 5 New Cavendish Street, London, W1M 7RP – tel: 01-935-1114” (Provenance: Christies Auction (5122) British, Continental and Russian pictures 22nd August 2007), 101.6 cm x 127 cm estimate £1000 – 1500.
We also have the usual collection of China, Glass, Silver, Jewellery and Furniture etc. We are still able to accept some items for this sale and items for the 11th June sale. The May sale catalogue will be available online the week before the sale.
For more information call us on 01285 646050 or email fineart@mooreallen.co.uk