In the rooms of Messrs. Christie, Manson, and Woods the sale of the Hamilton Palace works of art was resumed last Saturday, when 208 miniatures were offered. A miniature of James I., by Hilliard, bought 2700 guineas, and a frame containing six whole lengths of Henri II., Henri III., Charles IX., Catharine de Medici, the Dauphin, and Claud de France was sold for 1675 guineas. Many other works bought high prices, and the day's sale produced £13,348.—On Monday some high prices were realised for pieces of decorative furniture, porcelain, and other objects. A Louis XVI upright secretaire of mahogany and parqueterie was sold for 1340 guineas. A pair of ebony commodes brought 3000 guineas, and a very fine Louis XV. parqueterie commode realised 5950 guineas. The total of the day's sale was £16,998.—In Tuesday's sale the following were the principal lots:—Bust of Peter the Great, in armour, in bronze, £1060 10s. (Boore). A Louis XVI. sofa, of unusual size, with settees at the ends, the frame carved with trophies or arrows and flowers in high relief, and gilt, covered with old Gobelius tapestry of flowers on a pink ground, from Versailles, £1176 (Mellier). A Louis XVI. bedstead, richly carved and gilt, with a vase of flowers at the head, covered with Gobelins tapestry and a lofty canopy, and a pair of yellow silk curtains, £1155 (Radley). The total of the day came to £14,754.
Owing to the great public interest exhibited in the purchases of the National Gallery at the Hamilton Sale, it has been determined that there shall be a temporary exhibition of them forthwith. The pictures will be on the screens at the National Gallery as soon as these latter can be made.
Source: The Illustrated London News, No.2255—Vol. LXXXI, Saturday, July 22, 1882, p.85