Great British Eccentric Sells Secret Sword Collection at Bonhams Knightsbridge
Published June 16th, 2007
A previously unknown collection of early arms and armour, a group of Medieval swords and spurs including a fine Viking sword belonging to one of the art world’s great eccentrics, will form part of the next sale of Antique Arms and Armour to be held at Bonhams in Knightsbridge on July 25th.
The group is part of the collection of Jane Penrice How, known as `Ben’ to her friends and represents one of the passions of this remarkable woman who is remembered as one of the great experts on silver.
Mrs How, who died on June 25 2004 at the age of 89, was well known in the art world for her startling forthrightness and her impeccable scholarship. She was one of the most influential silver dealers of her time and acknowledged as the country’s greatest expert on English spoons and all other forms of English and Scottish silver.
A diminutive figure she had a fearsome reputation especially on the subject of silver. Although not suffering fools gladly she was also known for her great generosity and no scholar was ever refused help.
Her enthusiasms included great wines, opera, fishing, shooting, edged weapons, beekeeping and cricket. And cars were a particular passion. In her 80’s she sold a much loved Jaguar SS100 to Alan Clark in order to buy the latest Bentley turbo in which she was known to take on all comers at traffic lights.
She was often accompanied around St James’ in London by dogs the size of ponies and was instrumental in saving the Old English mastiff from extinction. In fact she was very proud of winning best of breed at Crufts twice with her dog Don Juan.
Bonhams Director of Antique Arms and Armour, David Williams comments: “This collection is particularly fascinating because it was unknown to the world of arms and armour, until recently. A number of English swords decorated with silver reflect Mrs How’s love of the subject.
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