Lay's Auctioneers: Fine Art

Lay's Auctioneers: Fine Art Contact information, map and directions, contact form, opening hours, services, ratings, photos, videos and announcements from Lay's Auctioneers: Fine Art, Visual Arts, The Penzance Auction House, Alverton, Penzance.

Academic and exploratory in nature, John Mitchell documented his work extensively, recording his findings and exploring ...
11/08/2026

Academic and exploratory in nature, John Mitchell documented his work extensively, recording his findings and exploring the mathematical principles behind his compositions.

One such example is his series Complete with Missing Parts, created between 1972 and 1979.

The series brings together a number of paintings grouped under the titles Pier, Short Pier, Extended Pier and Convoy.

On Convoy, Mitchell writes: “A group of paintings of indefinite number. Formed from a square, which is cut into both on the horizontal and vertical at various points on a Fibonacci sequence. Corresponding opposed sections are ‘taken away’ to leave an asymmetric structure while allowing for a 45 degree angle ‘relationship’ to exist between either the top right, bottom left or top left, bottom right corners of the canvas.”

Featured here is Lot 609: untitled, Oil on panel, 68.5 × 68.5cm. Est: £100–£200.

View the full collection online here: https://www.davidlay.co.uk/auction/details/jm01-john-mitchell---the-personal-collection--studio-sale/?au=557

John Mitchell, The Personal Collection & Studio Sale
13th & 14th August, 10am | Penzance & live online

In the 1960s, John Mitchell began using the Fibonacci sequence as the foundation of his creative process, replacing inst...
09/08/2026

In the 1960s, John Mitchell began using the Fibonacci sequence as the foundation of his creative process, replacing instinct with systems of proportion, geometry and endless possibility.

For Mitchell, the sequence wasn't simply mathematics; it was a way of removing subjective choice. Combined with inspirations from Jasper Johns and Samuel Beckett, it became a method of constant experimentation, asking questions like: ‘What if?… I make it flat?… round?… positive?… negative?… coloured?…floor mounted?… wall mounted?… In wax?… In wood?… In bronze?… drawn?… painted?… upside down?… back to front?… inside out?… Add infinitum.” - Mitchell 28.02.2011.

This relentless curiosity shaped a lifetime of remarkable work, where every piece became part of an ongoing exploration of form, structure and transformation.

View the full collection here:
https://www.davidlay.co.uk/auction/details/jm01-john-mitchell---the-personal-collection--studio-sale/?au=557

John Mitchell: Private Collection & Studio Sale
13th & 13th August, 10 am | Penzance & live online

While we're celebrating the work of John Mitchell (1943–2014) in person, we wanted to share a little more about him here...
06/08/2026

While we're celebrating the work of John Mitchell (1943–2014) in person, we wanted to share a little more about him here too.

Mitchell was a highly respected artist, sculptor and tutor; he dedicated his life to exploring the relationship between mathematics, geometry and art.

Working from his studio overlooking Newlyn Harbour, he developed a distinctive visual language inspired by proportion, the Fibonacci sequence and spatial form.

Trained at Kingston College of Art, Mitchell exhibited internationally throughout his career, with solo exhibitions at Camden Arts Centre, Ikon Gallery, the Serpentine Gallery and Galerie Swart in Amsterdam.

Alongside his artistic practice, he inspired generations of students through teaching at Coventry College of Art, Stourbridge College of Art, Birmingham Polytechnic and Cardiff College of Art.

Described by fellow artist David Ross as creating work that "exists on the edge of language", Mitchell's practice balanced precision with intuition, inviting viewers to
discover rather than simply interpret.

Read more about Mitchell in our recent blog post Existing on the Edge of Language: The Art of John Mitchell (link in bio).

John Mitchell: The Personal Collection & Studio Sale
13th & 14th August, 10 am | Penzance & live online

Our Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery Sale features a charming collection of over thirty lots by the hand of master...
07/07/2026

Our Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery Sale features a charming collection of over thirty lots by the hand of master etcher Edward Bouverie-Hoyton (1900-1988).

Settling in Cornwall in 1941, Edward Bourverie-Hoyton swapped his worldly travels for a life in the West Country when he was appointed Principal of Penzance School of Art. When out of the classroom, Bouverie-Hoyton was often spotted capturing the essence of what it was to live alongside the bustle of a fishing town, turning his loose sketches into detailed etchings. It was here that he created what is considered to be some of his finest work.

The collection is a great example of the quality of his draughtsmanship and his ability to capture the atmosphere of a landscape.

Photographed here is Edward Bouverie Hoyton and his wife, Inez Hoyton, outside of their cottage in Newlyn.

View the full collection here:
https://www.davidlay.co.uk/auction/search/?st=hoyton&sto=0&au=564&sf=%5B%5D&w=False&pn=1

Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery
9 - 10 July, 10 am | Penzance & live online

This charming painting by the Lamorna artist Charles Walter Simpson comes from the estate of well-known local businessma...
06/07/2026

This charming painting by the Lamorna artist Charles Walter Simpson comes from the estate of well-known local businessman John Daniel. A 'Daniel's' ice cream booth takes centre stage along the prom, bustling with customers and strolling visitors. The work is fabulously evocative of a traditional English seaside town of the 1940s or 50s.
Simpson is better known for his paintings of birds and animals, his equine works being particularly fine, having been mentored by Alfred Munnings in Norfolk during the early 1900s. It was Munnings who urged him to visit Cornwall, and he moved here in 1913, living at various times in St Ives. Penzance and Lamorna.

John Daniel bought Lamorna Cove from Colonel Paynter's family in the 1950s. He would have known Charles Simpson well and likely commissioned this sunny work directly from the artist.

Figures on the Promenade, Penzance by Charles Walter Simpson (1885-1971) will be in auction this Thursday. Search 'Simpson' in our online catalogue to learn more.

Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery
9 & 10 July, 10 am | Penzance & live online

The flamboyant community of artists that flourished in West Cornwall during the first half of the twentieth century has ...
01/07/2026

The flamboyant community of artists that flourished in West Cornwall during the first half of the twentieth century has left us a rich legacy of paintings and writings and we are fortunate to know a great deal about their lives. But this progressive community also attracted other equally fascinating individuals whose lives have now all but faded into obscurity.

The original owners of this delightful West Cornwall scene by Midge Bruford were two such characters, they were the friends and contemporaries of well known artists but also quietly determined trailblazers themselves, and it has been a privilege to learn about them and to now tell their story.

Joyce Howell and Marjorie Clarry were born in the early 1900s. They came from affluent families and attended Badminton School for Girls. Fellow pupils included Elizabeth 'Mornie' Birch the daughter of SJ Lamorna Birch, and Midge Bruford the creator of this charming work.

Joyce's family were the wealthy Howells of Cardiff, who had established the prestigious Howells department store in 1865.

A relative of Joyce recounts how she once told her that as a young woman Joyce faced a choice: accept the dashing young pilot who had asked her to marry him, or go and live with Majorie in Newlyn. She chose Marjorie and Newlyn. Marjorie wore a tweed suit and smoked a pipe. They were both known to be warm, loving and kind individuals who were always ready to help those in need amongst their community.

In 1927 they built a fine home 'The White house' at the top of Chywoone Hill overlooking the village and Mounts Bay. It was surrounded by their fields where they grew violets, daffodils and anemones. Flowers were bunched and sent up to London on the night train. The first bunch of violets was always sent to the Queen. They kept goats, and the milk was given to local mothers whose babies were intolerant to cow's milk. They took their flower growing business seriously and were hard working. But they also loved nature, long walks with their dogs and playing bridge. They were members of Gertrude Harvey's bridge club. They travelled in Europe. They were politically active, and in 1961 Marjorie received an MBE for political services in Cornwall.

They had strong friendships with the artists of the day; their niece recalls their bohemian social group of Newlyn and Lamorna artists and how in awe she had been of them. They were painted by these artists, and there are fabulous paintings by Bruford of their goats and by Harold Harvey of Marjorie and Joyce picking daffodils in the fields in front of the White House. We are delighted to say they enjoyed a long and happy life together and it is a pleasure to share their story with a wider audience.

It is also a delight to see that the marvellous old barn at Boleigh Farm (such a favourite subject among the Lamorna artists) is still standing proud and that golden yellow lichen still gilds the roof to this day.

Find out more about this magnificent painting here:
https://www.davidlay.co.uk/auction/lot/lot-18---marjorie-fr-midge-bruford-1902-1958/?lot=223898&so=0&st=midge&sto=0&au=564&ef=&et=&ic=False&sd=0&pp=24&pn=1&g=1

Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery
9 & 10 July, 10 am | Penzance & live online

From the estate of Bernard Leach. Admired in a family home for generations, this remarkable early Alfred Wallis holds St...
01/07/2026

From the estate of Bernard Leach. Admired in a family home for generations, this remarkable early Alfred Wallis holds St Ives and its community at the heart of its story, one we can't wait to share with you.

For now, we invite you to appreciate the piece for what it is: an earnest depiction of two luggers heeling to a strong offshore breeze, rendered in soft browns, greys, blues and pale green, with pencil defining the rigging. Painted on a piece of wooden board, most likely from a packing case, it is quintessential Wallis.

‘Mizzen Topsail Luggers’ will feature in our next Cornish Art, Fine Art & Studio Pottery auction, held on the 9th and 10th of July. And, in the coming weeks, we’ll share the fascinating provenance behind this piece, one that makes its journey as compelling as its view.

🖋️ An Early Alfred WallisFrom the personal collection of Bernard Leach, gifted to him by Sven Berlin‘The provenance of t...
28/06/2026

🖋️ An Early Alfred Wallis
From the personal collection of Bernard Leach, gifted to him by Sven Berlin

‘The provenance of this work is so perfect and so exciting, it feels like it weaves together several remarkable strands in the story of modernist art in mid 20th century St Ives.’

In this writing we dive into the significance of this extraordinary Alfred Wallis, its history and the magnificent people it is connected to.

Read the full blog post here:

https://www.davidlay.co.uk/news/an-early-alfred-wallis/

22/06/2026

‘s great words on Alfred Wallis’ emergence 👏👏 taken from a snippet of Matilda and Ethan’s insightful conversation on “Everything Alfred Wallis”. View the full talk on YouTube (link in bio).

20/06/2026

With our next Cornish Art auction just around the corner, featuring an incredible early Alfred Wallis, we’ve been looking back at November’s auction and the fantastic opening night of Matilda Webb’s new book, Alfred Wallis: Child Pauper to Artistic Luminary. Here’s a snippet of Matilda () and ‘s insightful conversation on “Everything Alfred Wallis”.

Find the full talk on YouTube (link in bio).

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The Penzance Auction House, Alverton
Penzance
TR18 4RE

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