London, 15 April 2026 - Bonhams has successfully concluded The Cannon Collection, a broad and scholarly private collection offered in two parts this April, which exceeded expectations, with the live sale achieving an 83% sold by lot and 99% sold by value. Reflecting a collector of wide-ranging curiosity and discerning taste, the collection brought together an exceptional range of categories, from Egyptian and Roman antiquities and Plantagenet coinage to 19th century and Modern British painting. Works by Philip Alexius de László, Hilda Fearon and Ken Howard featured prominently, alongside a particularly strong group of early English glass.
A notable highlight of the collection was its outstanding assemblage of early English glass, including rare, enamelled examples from the celebrated Beilby family workshop in Newcastle upon Tyne, gilded glass from the London atelier of James Giles, and fine Jacobite engraved glass and sweetmeat glasses, underscoring the depth and scholarly focus of the collection.
Part I of The Cannon Collection was offered in a live auction at Bonhams New Bond Street on 15 April 2026, with Part II presented online from 6 to 16 April 2026.
Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK and European Director of House Sales, Private & Iconic Collections and Furniture commented: "The exceptional results achieved by The Cannon Collection underline not only its breadth but the intelligence and scholarship behind its formation. Collectors responded strongly across categories, from rare Beilby enamelled glass to outstanding British portraiture by de László, with numerous works exceeding their estimates. It has been a privilege to present such a thoughtfully curated collection, and to see that vision so resoundingly endorsed by the market."
Among the highlights of Part I was Philip Alexius de László's Portrait of Helen Beatrice Myfanwy Hughes (estimate: £40,000 to 60,000), which sold for £108,350 more than twice the low estimate. Painted in the artist's London studio in October 1931, the portrait remained in de László's personal collection until his death in 1937, after which it passed to his youngest son. Helen Hughes formed a friendship with the artist's son John during her visit to England that same year, and the work stands as an elegant example of de László's refined and stylish approach to portraiture.
Further paintings in the sale that brought strong results include Hilda Fearon's On the Beach (estimate: £8,000 to 12,000), which sold for £32,000, as well as her piece Study for Under the Cliffs (with a further preparatory sketch on the reverse) (estimate £5,000 to 7,000) which sold for an incredible £24,320. Additionally, Ken Howard R.A.'s Salute (estimate: £7,000 to 10,000), demonstrating Howard's characteristic clarity of light and sense of place, sold for £17,920.
The glass section also performed well, with an exceptional Beilby enamelled opaque twist goblet with peafowl, circa 1765 (estimated at £10,000 to 15,000) selling for over twice the estimate at £32,000. An exceptional canary-yellow color twist wine glass, circa 1765 (estimated at £8,000 to 12,000) sold for £16,640, as well as an exceptional Beilby enamelled opaque twist wine glass with a piping shepherd, circa 1765 (estimated at £5,000 to 8,000) and sold for £15,360.
Part II, was offered online from 6 to 16 April. Highlights of the sale included, a pair of French brass, beech and walnut shop display cabinets, from Paris, early 20th century retailed by Frederick Sage & Company, (estimate £1,000 to 1,500) which sold for over eight times the pre sale estimate at £12,800, as well as Philip Jackson's Palestrina's Pavan, standing 59cm high (estimate: £3,000 to 5,000) sold for £5,120. The sale was 98.44% sold by lot, and 100.00% sold by value.
(Press Release)
