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Winter British and Continental Premier Sale | February 24, 2026

Tue, Feb 24, 2026 10:00AM EST
  2026-02-24 10:00:00 2026-02-24 10:00:00 America/New_York Brunk Auctions Brunk Auctions : Winter British and Continental Premier Sale | February 24, 2026 https://live.brunkauctions.com/auctions/brunk/winter-british-and-continental-premier-sale-february-24-2026-20717
Important paintings including three Rosa Bonheur paintings, J.F. Herring Sr.; sporting art to include Heywood Hardy; impressive collection of Georgian silver from the Godfrey Collection featuring a basket by Wm. Cripps; tribal carpets from Susan Gary Collection, Louisville to include Serapi, Kazak, and Peperdil; over 75 British tea caddies from a Virginia collector; Rene Lalique glass; estate of Wm. Sauer, D.C. antiques dealer, sold to benefit the Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters, Norfolk, Virginia.
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Lot 29

Charles Empson Botanical Watercolor

Estimate: $1,000 - $2,000
Starting Bid
$500

Bid Increments

Price Bid Increment
$0 $25
$100 $50
$1,000 $100
$2,000 $200
$3,000 $250
$5,000 $500
$10,000 $1,000
$20,000 $2,000
$50,000 $5,000
$100,000 $10,000

(British, 1794-1861)

Rafflesia arnoldii (Corpse Flower), a native plant of Sumatra, inscribed with Latin name bottom left as currently oriented, circa 1830s, watercolor with gum arabic on cream wove paper, sheet 16-3/4 x 11-1/4 in., mounted on his gray/buff gilt-edged album page with the number "30" inscribed upper right, 20 x 14 in. modern gilt wood frame, 25-1/2 x 20 x 1-1/2 in.

Provenance: Sotheby's Monaco, December 12, 1984, lot 3341; W. Graham Arader III, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (labels verso); Private Collection, Atlanta

Note: This appears to be extracted from the volume of original watercolors of mostly South American plants sold by Sotheby's Monaco, December 12, 1984, lot 3341, Empson's Narratives of South America; illustrating Manners, Customs. and Scenery: containing also numerous facts in Natural History was published for the author by William Edwards in 1836 (Abbey Travel 702; Sabin 22548). This particular work bears some resemblance to the one by Franz Andreas Bauer (Austrian, 1758-1840).

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Sotheby's Monaco, December 12, 1984, lot 3341; W. Graham Arader III, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (labels verso); Private Collection, Atlanta

mounted to album sheet at corners, light toning to wove paper and some more pronounced on album sheet, handling grimeï¼› frame with minor wear 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.