A porcelain figure of a woman carrying baskets, stolen from Dorich House in a burglary in 1988, was later recovered and is now in the Dorich House Museum collection. Here volunteer Carley Bucknell explores the characteristics of the figurine and its place in Russian design history. Porcelain figurines had never particularly attracted my interest, but […]
A Ming dynasty iron head of the Buddhist bodhisattva Guanyin was part of a collection of artefacts from Asia owned by Dora Gordine that were sold at auction in 1994. Here volunteer Nadia Stern takes this sculpture as a starting point for a wider interrogation of Gordine’s position in relation to understandings of and debates […]
A Chinese gold necklace and a Vacheron Constantin wristwatch were just two of the items of jewellery from Dora Gordine’s collection that were sold at auction in 1995. Here volunteer Louise Dear takes a look at the evolving fashions and personal style of Gordine with a particular focus on the artist’s jewellery. Last spring I […]
A beautiful cloisonné enamelled cigarette case, featuring a double-headed eagle, was one of the lots for sale at the auction of Richard Hare and Dora Gordine’s silver collection in Geneva in November 1994. For volunteer Rebecca Rushton, this object has allowed her to unlock a forgotten part of her own family’s history and to explore […]
1988 saw a major burglary of Russian art at Dorich House. But what was actually stolen and was anything recovered? Here volunteer Carley Bucknell uses all available evidence to explore this pivotal moment in the history of Dorich House and the legacy of Dora Gordine and Richard Hare. ‘A frugal sleeper, she was sitting in […]
Would a book of poems dedicated to Dora Gordine from the poet and critic Arthur Symons sold at auction in 1995 shed some light on Gordine’s creative circle? Here volunteer Stella Beaumont takes this poetry book as a starting point for an intriguing exploration of Gordine and Symons’s relationship. Three years into volunteering duties at […]
An exquisite teaset made by Carl Fabergé – comprising teapot, milk jug and sugar bowl – was sold at the auction of Dora Gordine and Richard Hare’s silver collection on 15 November 1994 in Geneva. Here volunteer Louise Dear takes this teaset as a starting point to explore Gordine and Hare’s collection and the House […]
What were the star buys at the two major auctions in November 1994 of Dora Gordine and Richard Hare’s collection of Russian silver, art and artefacts? Here volunteer Alison McGregor tells the story of these two auctions and the amazing items that were sold to raise funds to renovate Dorich House, the couple’s former home. […]
Using the collection of eggs owned by Dora Gordine and Richard Hare that were sold at auction in 1994 as a starting point, here volunteer Stella Beaumont explores the rich tradition of the decorated Easter egg in Russia. Gracing the cover and featuring prominently amongst the lots listed in the auction catalogue of Phillips’ November […]
What do some decorative wall brackets sold at auction in 1994 tell us about plans Dora Gordine and Richard Hare had for the future of Dorich House? Here volunteer Nadia Stern takes these modest items as a starting point for a wider exploration of the collection and the couple’s dream of the house as a […]
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