The 'Damien Parsons Collection' was gathered by one man over many decades, sourced from exhibitions and other collections. A dedicated lover of the visual art, Parson’s interest was sparked early on after he and his wife, celebrated poet Patricia Beer, inherited some pieces of Chinese porcelain.
His reasoning for adding pieces to the collection was not to do with their value or condition, but simply because he liked a particular pattern or look. He kept the pieces at his historic cottage close to Honiton, where he lived until his death at the age of 94.
Amongst the vast array of beautiful Chinese and Japanese ceramics, the most important items are contained within a standalone collection of porcelain pieces depicting the Daoist flower basket, the emblem of Lan Ts’ai-ho. One of the eight immortals in Daoism, Lan Ts’ai-ho is always depicted holding a basket of flowers and is considered to be the ‘matron’ of florists. The Daoist flower basket collection, which was recently exhibited at Mount Edgcumbe House in Torpoint, comprises 82 items, ranging from vases to chargers dating between 1620 and 1920.
Also included in the collection are two unusual porcelain plates from Russia. These were made during the Russian Revolution in 1919, at the renamed State Porcelain Manufactory in St Petersburg. Known as ‘agitation porcelain’ one of the plates is of particular significance; it depicts stark factory chimneys from a design by Nina Zander and bears the hammer, sickle and cog mark. The plate is estimated at £1,000 to £1,500.
The total collection to be offered at Chilcotts comprises around 500 pieces. It has been catalogued by Mary Chilcott. She said: “It’s quite unusual for such a big collection to come to market like this. Most of the lots will be fresh to the auction world, and we’re excited to see the level of interest it stirs up. We’ve already had some keen enquiries!”
Estimates for the various lots start from just £50 up to £500, making the chance to own a piece of Asian – or Russian – art accessible to a variety of different budgets.
The collection will be sold in individual and group lots. Viewing is available for three days from April 10 prior to the sale on Saturday April 13 at the Dolphin Saleroom in Honiton High Street, which starts at 10am. It's really worth having a look!
