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The Curious Collector

Matthew Hull

Matthew Hull

Head of Department

The Curious Collector

An ‘out of the ordinary’ sale celebrating extraordinary, exceptional and unusual objects and works of art. Matthew the curator of 'The Curious Collector' sales brings together an eclectic blend of fine art, antiques, natural history, curios and collectables.

Matthew joined Swan Fine Art as Head of Natural History in April 2017. As a collector he spent time filling his home with rare and important items. To begin with antiques and works of art, then soon grew his fascination with the natural world and curiosities. He has a wealth of knowledge and has sourced items for clients across the globe, from Forbes list Billionaires to Hollywood stars. He understands our client's wants and needs, having vast experience as a buyer and seller at some of the countries most prestigious auction houses.

We are located in the South East UK only 45 miles from central London. For larger consignments or important items home visits can be arranged.

Our next sale will be held in February 2025.

Telephone: 01844 281777
Email: matt@theswan.co.uk

Department Highlights

The Moon - lunar feldspathic breccia slice, Morocco NWA. Price realised £4,300. The Moon - lunar feldspathic breccia slice, Morocco NWA. Price realised £4,300.
Rare pair of early 19th century English blue glass apothecary carboy bottles. Price realised £1,750. Rare pair of early 19th century English blue glass apothecary carboy bottles. Price realised £1,750.
“Praying skeleton”, an impressive large-scale art piece painted on steel. After William Cheselden (1688–1752). Price realised £850 “Praying skeleton”, an impressive large-scale art piece painted on steel. After William Cheselden (1688–1752). Price realised £850
An 18th century set of Italian baroque gilt wood twisted columns. Price realised £500 An 18th century set of Italian baroque gilt wood twisted columns. Price realised £500
A fragmentary Greek marble head of a goddess. Circa 1st – 2nd century AD. Price realised £850 A fragmentary Greek marble head of a goddess. Circa 1st – 2nd century AD. Price realised £850
An impressive early 19th century taxidermy display of exotic birds under glass dome. Price realised £1,750. An impressive early 19th century taxidermy display of exotic birds under glass dome. Price realised £1,750.
A 19th century percussion pocket pistol contained in "Cowper's Private Correspondence Vol 2" by Christopher Henry Oldham Scaife. Price realised £300 A 19th century percussion pocket pistol contained in "Cowper's Private Correspondence Vol 2" by Christopher Henry Oldham Scaife. Price realised £300
An unusual taxidermy Giraffe shoulder mount. Price realised £4,400 An unusual taxidermy Giraffe shoulder mount. Price realised £4,400
An early 20th century ventriloquist dummy. Price realised £2,000. An early 20th century ventriloquist dummy. Price realised £2,000.
An antique bronze lamassu on a later wooden base. Price realised £600 An antique bronze lamassu on a later wooden base. Price realised £600
An exceptional 18th century polychrome and giltwood portrait bust of a male saint, Italy. Price realised £3,300 An exceptional 18th century polychrome and giltwood portrait bust of a male saint, Italy. Price realised £3,300
A late 19th century Australian silver mounted Emu egg inkwell. Price realised £550 A late 19th century Australian silver mounted Emu egg inkwell. Price realised £550
An exceptional taxidermy Greater flamingo pedestal mount. Price realised £3,800. An exceptional taxidermy Greater flamingo pedestal mount. Price realised £3,800.
A 19th century Russian archangel box. Price realised £300 A 19th century Russian archangel box. Price realised £300
A 17th/18th century bishop sculpture in polychrome wood. Price realised £1,650 A 17th/18th century bishop sculpture in polychrome wood. Price realised £1,650
A collection of four wood police and military truncheons, along with a police whistle on chain lanyard. Price realised £200 A collection of four wood police and military truncheons, along with a police whistle on chain lanyard. Price realised £200
An early 20th century Lion skull by Edward Gerrard & Sons. Price realised £1,100. An early 20th century Lion skull by Edward Gerrard & Sons. Price realised £1,100.
A late 19th century tribal Hawaiian bird feather band. The feathers reputedly from the 'I'iwi and now extinct Oo bird. Price realised £900. A late 19th century tribal Hawaiian bird feather band. The feathers reputedly from the 'I'iwi and now extinct Oo bird. Price realised £900.
A 19th century English faux book box table. Price realised £850 A 19th century English faux book box table. Price realised £850
Two 19th century clay Indian figures attributed to Jadunath Pal (1821-1920). Price realised £500 Two 19th century clay Indian figures attributed to Jadunath Pal (1821-1920). Price realised £500
An early 20th century Van Ingen & Van Ingen Mysore man-eater taxidermy Tiger head. Price realised £7,450. An early 20th century Van Ingen & Van Ingen Mysore man-eater taxidermy Tiger head. Price realised £7,450.
In the manner of Edgar George Papworth, a 19th century English bronze bust of a gentleman. Price realised £2,000. In the manner of Edgar George Papworth, a 19th century English bronze bust of a gentleman. Price realised £2,000.
A group of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a shabti figure and two figural faience amulets. Price realised £450. A group of ancient Egyptian artifacts, including a shabti figure and two figural faience amulets. Price realised £450.
A 20th century Dugong skull. Collected by marine biologist Dr Anthony Farmer. Cites non-transferable certificate no. 607716/01. Price realised £5,150 A 20th century Dugong skull. Collected by marine biologist Dr Anthony Farmer. Cites non-transferable certificate no. 607716/01. Price realised £5,150
A 19th century Indian Madu parrying shield (dhal). Price realised £450. A 19th century Indian Madu parrying shield (dhal). Price realised £450.
A 20th century taxidermy Hippopotamus head. Price realised £2,900 A 20th century taxidermy Hippopotamus head. Price realised £2,900
A 20th century Grand Tour bronze Dancing Faun of Pompeii. Price realised £1,000 A 20th century Grand Tour bronze Dancing Faun of Pompeii. Price realised £1,000
A 19th century agate, malachite and ormolu scent casket. Price realised £350. A 19th century agate, malachite and ormolu scent casket. Price realised £350.
A pair of modern antler hall chairs by Schirato, Italy. Price realised £950. A pair of modern antler hall chairs by Schirato, Italy. Price realised £950.
A 19th century Rowland Ward taxidermy firescreen diorama of exotic birds. Price realised £6,100. A 19th century Rowland Ward taxidermy firescreen diorama of exotic birds. Price realised £6,100.
A collection of ancient flints, including arrowheads, spearheads, axeheads and tools. Price realised £1,100. A collection of ancient flints, including arrowheads, spearheads, axeheads and tools. Price realised £1,100.
A rare 1970s jardiniere or wine cooler by Anthony Redmile. Price realised £750. A rare 1970s jardiniere or wine cooler by Anthony Redmile. Price realised £750.
A 19th century Hippopotamus skull from the Regimental Collection of the Queen's Royal Hussars. Price realised £2,500. A 19th century Hippopotamus skull from the Regimental Collection of the Queen's Royal Hussars. Price realised £2,500.
An impressive imitation fossilised 'Irish elk' antlers (Megaloceros giganteus). Price realised £2,500. An impressive imitation fossilised 'Irish elk' antlers (Megaloceros giganteus). Price realised £2,500.
An early 20th century scratch built English folk art whirligig. Price realised £500 An early 20th century scratch built English folk art whirligig. Price realised £500
Mid-20th century leather bulldog by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Price realised £600. Mid-20th century leather bulldog by Dimitri Omersa for Abercrombie & Fitch. Price realised £600.
Late 19th century Yoruba people carved wood IFA divination tray. Price realised £475. Late 19th century Yoruba people carved wood IFA divination tray. Price realised £475.
An early 20th century Islamic art enamelled gilt-copper box of architectural form. Price realised £750 An early 20th century Islamic art enamelled gilt-copper box of architectural form. Price realised £750
An early 20th century taxidermy Warthog head by Rowland Ward. Price realised £1,150. An early 20th century taxidermy Warthog head by Rowland Ward. Price realised £1,150.
Antique human half skeleton by Adam Rouilly & Co. Price realised £1500. Antique human half skeleton by Adam Rouilly & Co. Price realised £1500.
A fine Mammoth tusk from the Devensian glaciation period. Taymyr, Siberia Russia. Price realised £3,800 A fine Mammoth tusk from the Devensian glaciation period. Taymyr, Siberia Russia. Price realised £3,800
An early 20th century English rope works promotional knot display panel. Price realised £400. An early 20th century English rope works promotional knot display panel. Price realised £400.