Lyon & Turnbull Sale Thursday 3rd September 2020

Edinburgh's auctioneers Lyon & Turnbull are holding an important sale on Thursday 3rd September 2020, the sale includes over 200 lots from the Earl of Crawford and Balcarres. This treasure trove of antiques was discovered by specialists during a visit to Balcarres House, notably two textiles, a Flemish tapestry of Dido and Aenaes (lot 441), and a Indo-Portuguese embroidered coverlet (lot 614), the mythological tapestry dates to the late 17th/early 18th century, and was likely made in Bruges, estimated at £6,000-£8,000. It depicts an early scene of the lovers, with Dido approaching a sleeping Aenaes with Cupid in tow. The coverlet, embroidered in yellow tussah silk threads was made in Bengal during the 17th century, and is typical of its type revealing a mixture of Hindu and Christian imagery which appealed to the Portuguese market of the time. Originally made as diplomatic gifts or souvenirs, colchas soon made their way throughout Europe, and examples exist in major museum collections today, including at the Met and the V&A. the estimate is £3,000-£5,000. The Sale also includes two fine 19th century Amritsar carpets from Northern India.