A number of paintings by Sir Oswald and Lady Rhoda Birley, which originally formed part of their personal collection at Charleston Manor House, near Seaford in Sussex, will be offered for sale at Cheffins in Cambridge on 20th September.
The parents of entrepreneur Mark Birley, founder of Annabel’s Club and Harry’s Bar, and model and socialite, Maxime de la Falaise, Sir Oswald and Lady Birley were leading members of the bohemian set during the Edwardian period. Sir Oswald Birley (1880 – 1952) was one of Britain’s most admired portrait painters, and became the artist of choice for politicians, the aristocracy, Ballets Russes dancers and other leading figures from 1919 until the early 1950s. Amongst his many sitters, Sir Oswald painted portraits of the likes of King George V, King George VI, Queen Elizabeth, the Queen Mother and Queen Elizabeth II.
Sir Oswald Birley, The Dining Room at Charleston Manor, estimate £2,000 - £4,000
Educated at Harrow and then Trinity College, Sir Oswald studied art in Paris and Madrid before the outbreak of World War I, when he joined the Royal Fusiliers. In 1921, then aged 41, he married Rhoda Lecky Pike (1900 – 1981), who was twenty years his junior and a young, Irish beauty. Initially settling in London with their two children, they purchased Charleston Manor House in Sussex in 1931, where they established a well-known music festival and Rhoda created famous gardens along with the help of her friend, Vita Sackville-West. It was from Sussex that the Birley’s became fringe members of the Bloomsbury Group. They were also friends with Sir Winston and Lady Churchill, and Oswald would go on to paint at least five portraits of Churchill over the following years.
Sir Oswald Birley, The Lake at Charleston, signed and dated 1936, estimate £3,000 - £5,000
The paintings on offer at Cheffins’ Cambridge-based salerooms include eight works by Sir Oswald Birley, with many depicting scenes from Charleston Manor House, including the lake, the dining room and the pond. In addition, there is a portrait of Lady Birley, dated 1939. The remaining fifteen pictures by Lady Rhoda Birley include a series of still lifes and a painting of Sir Winston and Lady Churchill playing cards in the loggia. Estimates for the pictures range from £300 - £10,000.
The seller of the pictures purchased Charleston Manor House in 1980, a year before the death of Lady Birley, and restored the house before selling it in the mid-80s. It was eventually sold in 2011 to India Jane Birley, granddaughter of Sir Oswald and Lady Birley. As part of the sale of Charleston Manor House, the contents of the property, including the present collection of artworks, were auctioned during a three-day auction, where they were purchased by the current vendor in October 1980. Many of the paintings which adorned the walls of the 12th century manor house, were probably still hanging in their original positions.
Sir Oswald Birley, Portrait of Lady Birley, signed and dated 1939, estimate £10,000 - £20,000
Brett Tryner, Director, Cheffins comments:
“Sir Oswald Birley was one of the most highly acclaimed artists of his time. These works on offer have a wonderful provenance having been consigned by the previous owner of Charleston Manor House. The paintings have not been on public display since 1980, and the whereabouts of some of the pictures has been previously unknown to academics and collectors. Being part of their private collection, they provide a fascinating insight into the family lives of Sir Oswald and Lady Birley and the collection will be of great interest to collectors. Leaving behind quite the legacy, Sir Oswald’s children and grandchildren went on to be some of the leading lights of the London’s social circles from the 1960s to the present day, and we are delighted to be able to offer these fantastic paintings for sale.”
The Fine Sale – 20th September 2023
Location: Cheffins, Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge, UK, CB1 7EA
For further information contact the Fine Art Department on 01223 213343, fine.art@cheffins.co.uk