Some examples of what Gregory collected …
Busts of Moors
These busts would have been considered very exotic because they represent Moors who were Muslims from Northwest Africa. Despite depicting people of different ethnicity, these busts are Classicized meaning that they are done in a style similar to the Greeks and Romans. The features are idealized to make them more beautiful to a Caucasian, Victorian elite. Carved from black, white, and colored marbles, Gregory Gregory acquired these busts in his travels. They are Italian, possibly Venetian, and date to the second half of the 17th century. The turbans are removable and the eyes are inlaid.
A pair of Louis XV Ormolu-mounted Chinese Porcelain Ewers
These Ewers were acquired by Gregory Gregory in his travels prior to constructing his fantasy home. Ewers are a type of jug that normally held water, but these would have been for decoration, making the owner appear cultured. They are decorated in a Chinese style with depictions of deer, cranes, trees, and foliage typically found in China. The porcelain dates to the Kangxi period (1661-1722) and the mounts date from 1745-1749.
Regence Ormolu-mounted and brass-inlaid red tortoiseshell and polychrome horn boulle Marquetry Commode
Gregory Gregory also acquired this commode in his travels. Made by Nicolas Sageot, a French furniture maker from the 17th-18th centuries, this piece, made in France and containing Classical symbolism, would have illustrated Gregory Gregory’s wealth and cultural awareness.
These items were in Christie’s Exceptional Sale, July 2012. Full catalogue is available here.
Other sales:
THE HARLAXTON BUREAU PLAT An important and rare lacquered bronze mounted kingwood and parquetry bureau plat, attributed to Nöel Gérard
Régence, circa 1720-30. Sotheby’s Sale, 2007
Harlaxton Manor Archives 