Post Medieval 'Thames' Lead Whirligig and Toy Fish Group

Composed of a balustered stem, pierced trilobate finial with ornamental knops and an oval die with animals and 'GRATIS' legend; accompanied by an impression. 9 grams total, 2.6 cm



Acquired on the UK antiques market between 1974-1985. Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

Signed in the bottom right corner of the watercolour; framed and glazed with loops for suspension to the reverse. 1.65 kgs, 40.4 cm



Ex Albert Ward collection, Essex, UK.

J.W.S. Cox (1911-1982) was an American watercolourist renowned for developing the wet-on-wet painting technique. He grew up in New York, where he avidly sketched landscapes from an early age. The artist graduated from Pratt Institute NYC in 1933 and worked various jobs through the Great Depression. In 1936, he studied at the Acadamie Colarossie in Paris, and with Fauvist Othon Friesz for a short time, although later dismissed the Fauvist style as 'sloppy'. He went on to teach watercolour painting to students at Boston University, founding a studio on Bearskin Neck, Rockport, where he developed his 'sponge painting' and palette-knife techniques. He painted with an individualistic style, becoming a member of the Boston Watercolour Society. Cox shunned publicity as he believed it robbed him of painting time and turned down membership to the National Academy because he 'wouldn't play the game'. A Renaissance man, Cox spoke 12 languages with a goal to present himself 'and the soul of nature as truthfully and with as much inspiration, vitality and freshness as is possible, through the medium of watercolour'. He died of a heart attack in Florida in 1982.

Engraved with leaf and tendril detailing to the outer face, inscribed to the inner face 'Φ semper vna' (Φ forever one). 9.33 grams, 21.04 mm overall, 18.27 mm internal diameter (approximate size British Q, USA 8, Europe 17.49, Japan 16)



Property of a Jersey gentleman; by inheritance from his father.