The collection of the famous art dealer Marazion will be auctioned

Some of the artwork from Jonathan Grimble’s private collection which will be up for auction in December (Image: David Lay Auctions)

The personal collection of one of Cornwall’s foremost art dealers will go under a hammer.

Over the decades Jonathan Grimble has amassed a fine collection of around 300 paintings, drawings and sculptures from modern British schools, Cornwall and St Ives in his home overlooking Mount St Michael.

Now the private collection is expected to be auctioned off in situ at Mr Grimble’s house in Marazion, Cornwall and could fetch over £ 100,000 with the highest price from the sale of a 1957 Terry Frost oil, “Blue and Black Verticals”, which is estimated between £ 50,000 and £ 80,000.

David Lay Auctions at Penzance, who manages the sale, said it was one of the most prestigious auctions in its 45-year history.

Mimi Connell-Lay, publicity manager and researcher at the family auction house, said: “This is a truly breathtaking sale with key works by Terry Frost, Paul Feiler, Sandra Blow, Peter and Matthew Lanyon, Alan Lowndes, Alexander MacKenzie, Prunella Clough, Breon O’Casey, Tony O’Malley, the list goes on with many Cornish favorites; Roger and Rose Hilton, Fred Yates and Bryan Pearce are also featured.

“There are exceptional sculptures by Denis Mitchell, Paul Mount, John.E. Milne, Margaret Lovell and other works by O’Casey, all carefully chosen by Grimble who had a brilliant aesthetic eye.

“The works complement his beautifully appointed beachfront home in Marazion, Cornwall and some of his designer furniture and studio pottery are also included in the sale.”

A well-known figure in the Cornish art world and agent of Sandra Blow’s executor, Jonathan Grimble collected with discerning judgment and taste.

His large art collection has been expertly curated into a 300-lot sale which includes many important antique paintings and bronzes from some of the pioneers of the British abstract movement of the 1950s and the St Ives art scene.

Mimi added, “There are so many outstanding pieces on sale that it’s hard to tell any works apart, but Terry Frost’s early pieces are very exciting, especially Madrigal I (1949) which marks Frost’s turning point from figurative art to abstraction.

“Another highlight is the collection of bronze bird sculptures by Breon O’Casey of Grimble which are beautifully elegant and will be highly sought after by collectors.”

Public screenings take place at Jonathan’s home on December 4/5/6 but must be by appointment.

The auction takes place on December 7 and will be streamed through the David Lay Auction website at DavidLay.co.uk, theSaleroom.com and easyLive.com.

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