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AEDRare Captain Thomas Davies Watercolor
About Seller
117 Tunnel Road
Asheville, NC 28805
United States
Based in Asheville, North Carolina, Brunk Auctions has been conducting sales of fine and decorative arts for over 30 years. Auctions are held in our North Carolina sale room but attracts a global audience. Founded by Robert Brunk in 1983, the auctions became well known for their integrity and profes...Read more
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About Auction
LiveSep 24, 2026
Important prints by Rembrandt, Whistler, and Durer, rare watercolors by Annabella Telfair and Thomas Davies, portraits by Jürgen Ovens, a Frisian Master, other paintings by Wardle, Enchena, Kluge, Dyf, Manescau, Timmermans; Meissen porcelain from the Lake Lure, North Carolina, estate of Steve Stewart; English silver by Paul Storr; British and Continental furniture; a pair of Late Regency Cary’s 12-Inch New Terrestrial and Celestial Globes, lamps; carpets and more. Brunk Auctions support@brunkauctions.com
View Full Catalog (220)
- Lot Description
(British, 1737-1812)
The Borders of Lake Hsi-Hoo, the Temple of the Thundering Winds from the Vale of Tombs, China, 1797, signed lower right " T.D. pinxt 1797," watercolor, 13- 1/2 by 20-3/4 in.; distressed gilt wood frame, watercolor on wove paper, 22-3/8 x 30-5/8 x 1-1/8 in.
Provenance: Christie, Manson & Woods. Catalogue of Highly Important Printed Books and Manuscripts, Autograph Letters and Some Drawings and Etchings by Old Masters ; the Property of the Right Honourable the Earl of Derby, M.C. Removed from Knowsley Hall, Lancashire...1953. No. A 22; Frank T. Sabin; Private Collection
Note: This drawing, said to be signed and dated 1797, appears to be a copy of an engraving by J. Landseer and T. Shirt after William Alexander, published April 12, 1796. William Alexander, painter and engraver, accompanied the British military's Macartney Embassy for the first diplomatic relations mission to China from 1792-1794. The print bears the same title as the drawing by Davies.
Thomas Davies was a British military officer who did campaigns around North America. Throughout his military career he frequently did topography drawings and watercolors of the surrounding landscapes. He presumably received drawing training from Gamaliel Massiot, drawing-master at Woolwich from 1744 to 1768. While many believe Thomas Davies joined the Macartney Embassy, he did not, and instead was in Europe where he continued to get promotions in his military career and become a well-known naturalist.
The drawing was listed under A22 of Appendix A, in the book "Thomas Davies", c. 1737-1812" published by the National Gallery of Canada in 1972. According to the book, the piece from the Earl of Derby’s folio of more than 50 drawings sold in 1953 by Christie’s to dealer Frank T. Sabin. Sabin subsequently sold selections to the National Gallery of Canada, Old Print Shop and others.
Lake Xi Hu or Hsi Hu (West Lake) is just outside the walls of Hangchow and still exists today.
- Provenance
Christie, Manson & Woods. Catalogue of Highly Important Printed Books and Manuscripts, Autograph Letters and Some Drawings and Etchings by Old Masters ; the Property of the Right Honourable the Earl of Derby, M.C. Removed from Knowsley Hall, Lancashire...1953. No. A 22; Frank T. Sabin; Private Collection
- Shipping Info
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Purchased items will be available for pick up or shipping from our Asheville, North Carolina auction facility within ten business days of the auction, or will be assessed a storage fee of $5.00 per day, per item. Purchaser agrees that packing and shipping is done at the purchaser's risk and that the purchaser will pay in advance all packing expenses, materials, carrier fees and insurance charges. At our discretion, items will either be packed by an agent such as a packaging store or Brunk Auctions. Please allow two weeks for shipping after payment is received. Shipment of large items is the responsibility of the purchaser. We are happy to provide names of carriers and shippers if a purchaser so requests. Brunk Auctions will have no liability for any loss or damage to shipped items.
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- Condition
hinged in, some toning and light fading, tape stains through to front Note - Brunk Auctions makes every effort to offer accurate and thorough information, but encourages prospective bidders to inspect items in person whenever possible. Condition statements are provided as a courtesy for general guidance and should not be considered complete or definitive. They do not represent a warranty or assumption of liability by Brunk Auctions. Certain condition issues may not be specifically noted in the report but may be visible in the accompanying photographs, which are considered part of the overall condition report. Please refer to our Terms of Sale for complete information and contact us for additional photos or information as needed.
