At a time when the country is remembering the Queen’s accession to the throne, a sketch by Charles Cundall R.A of the Coronation of King George VI will be offered in the 20th Century British and Irish Art sale at Bonhams on the 30th May.
Estimated to sell for £6,000- 8,000, the work offered by Bonhams depicting an iconic view of London highlighted with British flags, is most likely a sketch made by Cundall for his larger painting, The Coronation of King George VI, 12 May 1937. The principal painting was exhibited in at the Royal Academy, where it was acquired by Queen Mary on behalf of the Royal Collection.
As in the larger work, this oil on canvas sketch depicts a view from Admiralty Arch; looking down onto the Coronation Procession, with the Golden State Coach at its head entering Trafalgar Square.
Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. The present company was formed by the merger in November 2001 of Bonhams & Brooks and Phillips Son & Neale. In August 2002, the company acquired Butterfields, the principal firm of auctioneers on the West Coast of America. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and valuation services in 60 specialist areas. For a full listing of upcoming sales, plus details of Bonhams specialist departments go to www.bonhams.com.