Oliver Cornish
Sale Coordinator for Furniture, Sculpture, Rugs & Tapestries
Lot 80TP
A pair of early 18th century and later wrought iron gatesThe decoration perhaps in the manner of Jean Tijou (Anglo-French, fl. 1689–1712), and reputedly once the property of David Garrick (British, 1717-1779), later acquired by Ivor Novello (British, 1893-1951)
3 December 2025, 13:00 GMT
London, New Bond Street£2,500 - £3,500
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Helena Gumley
Head of Sale Carpets and Tapestries
A pair of early 18th century and later wrought iron gates
The decoration perhaps in the manner of Jean Tijou (Anglo-French, fl. 1689–1712), and reputedly once the property of David Garrick (British, 1717-1779), later acquired by Ivor Novello (British, 1893-1951)
Each gate with a lower rectangular panel inset with formalised scrolls with applied acanthus leaves below two differing theatrical style mask heads and twin acanthus scrolled arms, and surmounted by a half angular scrolling pediment with elaborate asymmetric pierced scrolling decoration with applied formalised flowerheads, acanthus leaves and tendrils, with cockspur catch handles, the later heavy rectangular iron frames with inset clear plate glass panels, each later frame, 211cm high, 76cm wide, 6cm deep including later hinges, (2)
Each gate with a lower rectangular panel inset with formalised scrolls with applied acanthus leaves below two differing theatrical style mask heads and twin acanthus scrolled arms, and surmounted by a half angular scrolling pediment with elaborate asymmetric pierced scrolling decoration with applied formalised flowerheads, acanthus leaves and tendrils, with cockspur catch handles, the later heavy rectangular iron frames with inset clear plate glass panels, each later frame, 211cm high, 76cm wide, 6cm deep including later hinges, (2)
Footnotes
Provenance
Acquired by the composer, playwright and actor, Ivor Novello for his home, Redroofs (formerly Munro Lodge), Littlewick Green, near Maidenhead, Berkshire.
Novello purchased the house in 1927 using the proceeds of his successes as a matinee idol and it remained his residence outside London for the rest of his life. On his death, Redroofs was sold at auction and became a convalescent home for actors before it became the Redroofs Theatre School.
Born as in Wales as David Ivor Davies, Novello is perhaps best known today for his successes in theatre and film in the 1930's and 40's, with musical works such as 'The Dancing Years', 'Glamourous Nights' and 'Kings Rhapsody' characterised by romantic and escapist themes. However he was initially celebrated as a popular composer, writing the music to the patriotic First World War hit 'Keep the Home Fires Burning', whilst by the early 1920's, his natural good looks enabled him to become a silent matinee idol starring in varied genre films including Alfred Hitchcock's early success 'The Lodger'.
His importance as an actor, writer and composer in the mid 20th century is reflected by the many commemorative tributes he had after his death and a lasting legacy of his life is seen in the annual awards of the Performing Rights Society which are named after him_ whilst there is also a Novello Scholarship at RADA (the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art).
The offered lot was likely purchased by Novello sometime in the late 1920's and is illustrated in a Radio Times publicity photograph taken in the early 1930s showing the star's mother, Clara Novello Davies (1861-1943), also known as Madame Clara, who was a Welsh singer, teacher, composer, and conductor in the drawing room beside the gates.
The photograph is illustrated in the musical composer Sandy Wilson's biography of Novello with a caption (presumably contemporary to the photograph) confirming a reputed provenance to the famous actor and impresario David Garrick*.
The French Huguenot ironworker Jean Tijou is known to have worked in England in the late 17th and early 18th century undertaking commissions for several of the most famous English Baroque buildings. Although little is known of his life, he arrived in England around 1689 and enjoyed the patronage of William III and Mary II where he was employed as a master metal worker.
Elevating blacksmithing to an art, Tijou's signature hammered repoussé sheet metal decorative motifs and ornaments were often highlighted with gilding. He utilised his natural artistry to create stylised Baroque forms and motifs in three dimensional charcoal wrought sheet iron which were used to cover the fire welds on foundational iron structures including ates, hinges, fence work and decorative wall appliques.
Tijou's major commissions include the gates and railings for Hampton Court Palace, where he worked between 1689 and 1700. In addition he produced the screens and grilles of St Paul's Cathedral for Sir Christopher Wren although stylistically they lack his signature use of repoussé work for which he is usually associated. He also worked at Kensington Palace and at country houses such as Easton Neston, Burghley and Chatsworth.
Related Literature
Wilson, Sandy, Novello, pub. Michael Joseph Ltd, Richard Claydon (the Chaucer Press) Ltd, 1975, pp. 160-161, *see illustration captioned 'Madame Clara in the drawing-room beside the wrought iron gates which came from the house of David Garrick'.