The collection of Raine, Countess Spencer (1929-2016) comes up at Christie’s in London in July. Only daughter of romantic novelist Dame Barbara Cartland and stepmother to Diana, Princess of Wales she enjoyed a position at the centre of London society for over 60 years. Lady Spencer had an appreciation of the fine and decorative arts; 18th century France was of special interest, and she assembled a collection of paintings by some of the greatest artists of that period, including Boucher, Fragonard and Vernet. She collected fine furniture on which she displayed ormolu clocks, objets d’art and Chinese works of art – including intricately carved jades; the Art Deco was also a period of particular inspiration. Highlights from Lady Spencer’s collection of French 18th century Old Master paintings will be offered at Christie’s Old Masters evening sale on July 6. This will be followed by a sale featuring furniture, Old Master paintings, objets d’art and jades and a selection of couture, jewellery and accessories from her personal wardrobe on July 13. Here is a small selection with all images courtesy of Christie’s.
Claude Joseph Vernet (Avignon 1714-1789 Paris)
A Mediterranean sea-port with fishermen unloading cargo (£300,000-500,000)
Jean-Honoré Fragonard (Grasse 1732-1806 Paris)
The goddess Aurora triumphs over night, announcing Apollo in his chariot, while Morpheus sleeps – a bozzetto (£150,000-200,000)
One of several ‘Lady Dior’ handbags, this one of black leather with stud work decoration (£1,000-1,500)
A LOUIS XVI COMMODE
CIRCA 1770-75, ATTRIBUTED TO ANTOINE-PIERRE FOULLET (£60,000-90,000)
The bag used to bring back to earth the very first sample of lunar material ever collected comes up at 
A typed Order of Surrender from the 1916 Rising signed by Patrick Pearse comes up at 
