Roseberys London is proud to present the remarkable collection of George Farrow. Comprising sought after pieces from China, the Middle East and Europe, this extensive single owner collection reflects the eclectic tastes of a passionate enthusiast of antiques and fine art. The collection is the subject of a major sale taking place at the auction house on Tuesday 4 June. 

Lot 243: A fine and rare Berlin Chinoiserie tapestry of ‘The Emperor’s Banquet’ from the Grossmogulenfolge series


Born of humble beginnings in Greenwich, Southeast London, George Farrow left school at the age of sixteen and began a career in the building industry, rising to become one of Britain’s largest private landlords. In the process, he amassed an eclectic private art collection.The sale presents an opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces from a comprehensive and cohesive collection of art and antiques that have been carefully curated over many years.

Anna Evans, Head of Sale at Roseberys London, commented: ‘Roseberys is thrilled to have the opportunity to bring such an extraordinary single owner collection to the market. The collection is remarkable, not only in its scholarly and historical breadth, but also because of its quality and exceptional state of preservation. Given the Chinese, Middle Eastern and European highlights included in the sale, we expect to attract interest from across Roseberys’ international client base’.

Comprised of 567 lots, the collection highlights include a rare Berlin Chinoiserie tapestry (Lot 243) attributed to Charles Vigne from the second quarter of the 18th century. It shows the Chinese Emperor and other richly attired courtly figures around an elaborate dining table surrounded by servants and attendants, within an ornate pavilion setting adorned with garlands, dragon finials, and lambrequins. This exceptional tapestry is the collection’s undisputed highlight, because of its rarity and its striking vibrancy.

Lot 159: An Italian specimen marble and micromosaic table,
Attributed to Giacomo Raffaelli, early 19th century, the base late 19th century

Also featured is an Italian specimen marble and micromosaic table. Attributed to Giacomo Raffaelli, one of the most celebrated artists in the fields of micromosaics and lapidary, it is rare to see a micromosaic of this scale and for it to be joined with the specimen marbles.

Lot 332: Two voided crimson velvet and silk çatma panels, Ottoman Bursa or Istanbul, 17th century

Several ornate velvet panels spanning Safavid and Ottoman empires will also be offered in the sale. These include two voided crimson velvet and silk çatma panels from Ottoman Bursa and a courtly figural silk velvet panel dating to Safavid Iran c. 1600 (Lot 282).

Lot 26: A pair of massive Chinese export famille rose fishbowls,
Qing dynasty, Qianlong period

The sale includes a significant collection of Chinese decorative objects, including a rare pair of Chinese coral ground blue and white enamel painted octagonal lobed jardinieres (Lot 242). The Shendetang Zhi marks suggest that they were commissioned by the Daoguang emperor between 1831 and 1850. Furthermore, a rare and large Chinese carved black lacquer altar table (Lot 194) will be offered, as well as a remarkable pair of massive Chinese export famille rose porcelain fishbowls from the Qianlong period. They represent the zenith of Chinese export porcelain production during the reign of Emperor Qianlong and were in high demand in Europe during the 18th century.