Iconic London taste maker Michael Pruskin to sell collection at Bonhams

Bonhams is to sell the contents of one of London’s most famous and respected antique shops, The Pruskin Gallery, 73 Kensington Church Street. The sale will take place at Bonhams, New Bond Street on 14th March. Michael Pruskin has been an influential figure on the international 20th Century Decorative Arts scene for over 50 years following an early career as a music publicist, he once represented the Glam Rock star Marc Bolan. He and his wife Julia are renowned as taste makers and trend setters.

Among the most desirable items in the sale are two 1928 jars and covers by the French master ceramicist Rene Buthaud. They were made for a pharmacist in Bordeaux where the artist lived and worked for most of his 99 years. Buthaud’s work is highly sought after and the jars are estimated at between £50,000-70,000 each. A painting by one of the defining artists of the ‘Glasgow Style’, Margaret MacDonald Mackintosh, 'Girl with eyes open / girl with eyes shut' from 1909 when MacDonald was at the height of her powers is valued at between £20,000-35,000. Macdonald Mackintosh was the wife of Rennie Charles Mackintosh and although her modern reputation has been overshadowed by the international fame of her husband he was in no doubt about her talent, once saying, “Margaret has genius. I have only talent.”

Among other highlights are a cut glass and painted metal chandelier by the iconic French firm Maison Baguès, pioneers of lighting design (£20,000-30,000) from their most famous inter-war period and, showing the breadth of the Pruskin aesthetic, a fascinating mantel clock from 1931 designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens the architect responsible for the distinctive Imperial look of New Delhi and The Cenotaph in London (£10,000-12,000).