Tag Archives: painting

Ella and Nelia Casella are known for their collaborative work which spanned a variety of different artistic disciplines; metalworking, watercolour, and enamelling. However, they are perhaps best known for their wax work – an example of which was Lot 398 from our last Antiques, Fine Art, and Collectables auction. The Casella sisters grew up surrounded by art. Their father Alexander was an avid collector of work from the 16th and 17th centuries. His collection undoubtedly influenced Ella’s and Nelia’s styles of work. Both women studied at the Slade School of Art . It was the first public art school to admit women under the same conditions as men. The Slade School became famous for its number of female students, some of whom are particularly popular, for example Kate Greenaway and Evelyn de Morgan. Its male alumni have many illustrious artists in their number, including Kyffin Williams. Works by the Casella sisters Most of the work by Ella and Nelia Casella is now housed in the archives of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London. Particularly impressive is the wax relief of St George and the Dragon. However, another in the V&A collection titled ‘Silvia Bella’ is strikingly similar to Lot 398 in our auction. Though their subject faces to the left as ours faces to the right, the two women have much in common as the careful detailing in the wax brings the characters to life. Both ‘Silvia Bella’ and Lot 398, entitled ‘Spring’, were created by Nelia Casella who had an independent career outside of her work with her sister. Ella and Nelia Casella Sold at auction During their lives, the sisters were considered to be a part of the Renaissance revival, and Lot 398 is a wonderful example of this. The subject is, of course, Spring – Primavera. When looking to the Renaissance there are several famous paintings of Spring that may have inspired Nelia, particularly Botticelli’s Primavera. The similarities are clear, the ornate decoration in the form of seed pearls and the gilt dress that adorn Nelia’s Spring echo the falling leaves of Botticelli’s. In the same way we see Botticelli’s Primavera carry a bouquet of flowers in her skirt, Nelia’s subject cradles cherry blossoms. The wax is delicately coloured to produce this vibrant image. The gilding only adds to the air of luxury about this piece. Lot 398 – 3/3/23 Nelia Louise Cornelia Casella, (British, 1859- 1950), A late Victorian Arts & Crafts wax portrait relief plaque. Price Realised: £1,755.00 As the Arts and Crafts movement championed the involvement of women artists and creatives, works such as this have become important pieces of history as they represent the large social and cultural shifts that were taking place in the early twentieth century. This lot presents an interesting example of women artists and their work during the Arts and Crafts movement. When thinking about the late nineteenth and early twentieth century’s artistic circles, names such as William Morris and Edward Burne-Jones are often at the forefront of our minds. While it is undeniable that their working relationship left a significant mark on the face of British art history, particularly here in Birmingham, there is far more to the movement. This lot is demonstrative of the variety of work that was produced.   Auction Details Antiques, Silver & Collectables | Thursday 25th May 2023 Our next Antiques, Fine Art & Collectables auction is on Thursday 25th May 2023. Virtual viewings are available by request. Virtual viewings are the ultimate personal shopping experience. Using Zoom, you can ask us whatever you need to know in order to buy with confidence. Find out more here. Please contact info@fellows.co.uk to book a virtual viewing. Make sure you don’t miss finding that special something by signing up for our emails. You’ll be the first to know when catalogues become available, receive invitations to special events, and preview the hottest lots from our auctions, plus much more. You can also set up lot alerts, to tell us exactly what you are looking for. Our personal shopping service will make sure that you are the first to hear about it. Valuations Our valuations are free, with no obligation to sell with us. Our experts will value your item with an estimate, so you can find out what it could achieve at auction. The process is simple. You can fill in a form online or book an appointment to visit either of our offices in Birmingham or London. Virtual valuation appointments are also available. Cordelia Porter | BA (Hons), MRes