Art and antiques from the personal collection of Ken Bolan are set to go under the hammer at Sworders in the autumn. The sale, titled Ken Bolan: Nature Follows Form, will take place on September 24th, and features a diverse range of over 400 lots, including a rare and remarkable mosaic mural by Dame Elisabeth …
Dealer’s Collection Includes Frink Mural
Art and antiques from the personal collection of Ken Bolan are set to go under the hammer at Sworders in the autumn. The sale, titled Ken Bolan: Nature Follows Form, will take place on September 24th, and features a diverse range of over 400 lots, including a rare and remarkable mosaic mural by Dame Elisabeth Frink.
Ken Bolan: A Legacy of Dealing
With more than 50 years of experience in buying and selling antiques and design objects, Ken Bolan’s career in the world of art and antiques began in his youth. Recalling his early fascination with antiques, he describes how he would press his nose against the window of his local antiques shop, mesmerized by the items inside. After leaving school at 15, Bolan moved to Bern, Switzerland, where he opened his first shop in 1973. This marked the beginning of a long career that would see him open several stores and develop a thriving import business, selling English antiques across Europe.
During the 1980s and 90s, Bolan’s international outlook took center stage. Trading from a 10,000-square-foot brewery in Dorset, the ‘Talisman’ brand was born. His stock, particularly sculpture, garden statuary, and Continental furniture, became synonymous with his style.
Bolan reflects, saying:
“Travelling always influenced my buying, because it was such an experience back then. You didn’t have the internet or mobile phones. The only way you could discover and learn was to just get out there. France was a great source for many years. Sweden was a fabulous discovery in the mid-80s. And I was quite brave. I was also going to places like India and China with absolutely no knowledge of what I was going to find.”
Vintage Treasures
Bolan was part of the pioneering generation of dealers from the 1970s and 80s, who bought primarily based on instinct rather than relying on reference books. Over the years, his “eye” adapted to market trends, from the English country house look to the rise of vintage and post-war materials. He has consistently stayed ahead of shifts in demand, always attuned to the changes in the air.
One such item that Bolan has a particular attachment to is an 18th-century polychrome painted Danish cupboard dated 1772. He recounts the moment he first saw the piece and describes the family’s excitement when they decided to bid on it at auction. Despite the hefty price of £20,000, the cupboard became a cherished part of his home for nearly forty years. Bolan is now parting with the piece, which carries an estimate of £4,000-6,000.
Guy Taplin Sculptures
Another highlight in the sale is a selection of Guy Taplin sculptures, a longtime favorite of Bolan. Taplin, known for his carved and painted bird sculptures, has over 13 pieces featured in the auction. This menagerie, including swans and curlews, is expected to sell for amounts ranging between £600 and £4,000 each.
Dame Elisabeth Frink’s Mosaic Mural
A standout piece from the collection is a remarkable mosaic panel by the renowned sculptor Dame Elisabeth Frink (1930–1993). This piece, ‘The Monkey and the Dolphin,’ was originally part of the swimming pool at Woolland House, Frink’s Dorset country estate. The mosaic, based on an Aesop fable, was designed in 1987 and is considered one of her largest and most significant works. It is thought to be the only mosaic Frink ever created.
Ken Bolan first met Dame Elisabeth Frink in 1986 when she visited his shop in Bath, and over the next few months, their friendship grew. Bolan recalls that Frink was particularly taken with his Swedish painted furniture, and she purchased numerous pieces from him. After Frink’s death in 1993, Bolan assisted her son, Lan, with the sale of furnishings at Woolland and later made an offer on the mosaic panel.
The mosaic was professionally removed, restored, and mounted on an aluminium corrugated framework, allowing it to be displayed as artwork or even reinstalled in a swimming pool. This incredible piece now leads the sale with an estimated value of £300,000-500,000.
Link to Highlights:
For more details and to view highlights from the auction, visit Sworders: Ken Bolan: Nature Follows Form.
This autumn, Ken Bolan is offering a fascinating glimpse into the world of art and antiques, with treasures like Frink’s mosaic mural and Guy Taplin’s sculptures leading the way. Whether through personal anecdotes or the uniqueness of the items, the auction offers an exceptional opportunity to acquire works with rich histories.
