VIEWING TIMES:

Sussex Saleroom – Viewing is available on the day of auctions and
Thursday 9 April 14.00- 19.00 (Late night view)
Friday 10 April 10.00-16.00
Saturday 11 April 9.00-12.30
Monday 13 April10.00-16.00

As a collector, Derek was well known to Bellmans as a great client and friend. The collection presented in this auction has been left untouched in his large Regency Brighton apartment for the ten years since his death. The vast and eclectic array of objects clearly reflects the flair and panache of a seasoned and passionate collector, and represents his lifetime’s work. 

The eldest of three sons, Derek was born in 1941 in Cork City, but after completing his education, he set sail for London, where his remarkable life’s journey of travel and discovery took off. First employed by the Irish Tourism Board, he left to join BOAC, with whom he would remain throughout his long and distinguished career, and which provided him with the platform to travel the globe and develop his interest in different cultures, histories and peoples. His passion for the exotic and the unusual was cultivated by these travels and undoubtedly shaped his life and his collection.

Stand out sculptural pieces evoke the spirit of the Antique and include the Farnese Hercules and Silenus holding the infant Dionysus, intermingled with those inspired by the Renaissance, such as the contrapposto form of St George Slaying the Dragon. Curiosity is piqued throughout - objects from every corner of the globe provide colour and interest, such as the Namji Fertility dolls, whilst more obscure pieces attract an academic eye. Derek was an avid collector, too, of Staffordshire pottery figures. Notable amongst this collection is a large group of portrait figures dating from circa 1840 to the early 1900’s. 

Derek built this collection over his lifetime with his Australian partner, Richard, with whom he bought the apartment in Brighton as a bolt hole from their life in London. They soon doubled the apartment’s size by buying the apartment next door and knocking through, which allowed the collection to grow to the enormity we see today. Of keen interest to Brighton residents is the collection of prints, ceramics, curios and more representing different vistas of Brighton and different aspects of its history. 

Together with his partner, Derek recorded a lifetime of travel and curiosity with passion, building an incredibly broad collection encompassing glassware, ceramics from across continents, pictures, prints, furniture, objects and a myriad of other objects from across the globe. 

There are also 65 lots included in our specialist Asian Ceramics & Works of Art auction on 18th February.