A celebrated artwork by Scottish Colourist Samuel John Peploe has fetched a notable sum at auction, realising over £381,000 and attracting widespread attention from art enthusiasts and collectors. The painting, *Roses In A Green Jug*, was the centrepiece of Bonhams’ Scottish art sale in Edinburgh, where it surpassed its pre-sale estimate of £250,000 to £350,000 to achieve a final price of £381,400, inclusive of the buyer’s premium.
Samuel John Peploe, often renowned for his richly hued and meticulously arranged still lifes, remains a towering figure in Scottish art. This particular painting holds historical significance, having once adorned the drawing room of Croft House, the residence of Major Ion R Harrison in Scotland. Harrison, a prominent shipping magnate, became acquainted with Peploe’s work during a Glasgow exhibition in the 1920s, eventually forging a close friendship and acting as one of his significant patrons.
Commenting on the sale, May Matthews, managing director of Bonhams Scotland, highlighted the distinguished pedigree of the artwork. She described *Roses In A Green Jug* as an “exceptional example of the skilfully executed still lives which made Peploe one of the most highly admired of Scottish Colourists.” Matthews also noted the unique provenance of the piece, which, having spent decades in the possession of Harrison, entered the market for the very first time.
Peploe’s artistic legacy has long been associated with a search for the idealised still life, an ambition shaped during his formative years in Paris between 1910 and 1912. It was there that Peploe closely studied the techniques of Post-Impressionists such as Paul Cézanne, whose influence is evident in Peploe’s composition and palette. Matthews further elaborated that the painting “draws inspiration from French Post-Impressionism yet retains the artist’s distinctive touch,” underscoring Peploe’s reputation for carefully structured and elegantly balanced works.
Interestingly, the painting’s storied past is further showcased by its appearance in the background of Cadell’s *Portrait Of Mrs Ion R Harrison*, created in 1932. This intersection of two renowned Scottish Colourists in a single image adds an intriguing layer to the painting’s history and appeal for collectors.
The Bonhams auction also included works by other significant Scottish artists, namely Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, a fellow member of the Scottish Colourists, and the late contemporary painter Jack Vettriano, whose popularity continues to draw notable interest. Among Vettriano’s entries was *Pendine Beach (Study)*, a work completed in 1996, which achieved £44,800 at auction—comfortably above its £20,000–£30,000 estimate. Bonhams revealed that this particular Vettriano painting had once hung in the famous Bluebird restaurant in London, having been acquired by the late Sir Terence Conran.
A notable selection of landscapes depicting the island of Iona by Peploe also featured in the sale. These included *The White Strand, Iona*, commanding £74,060 and contributing to a robust evening for Scottish art at Bonhams. All listed prices include buyer’s premiums, reflecting the final sums paid by successful bidders.
This sale comes at a time of renewed interest in the Scottish Colourists, especially as collectors and institutions seek works with strong provenance. Peploe’s enduring legacy and the continuous recognition of his influence are evident not only in the hammer prices but also in the thoughtful presentations by esteemed houses such as Bonhams.
Such auctions offer a glimpse into the deep appreciation for British and Scottish art, as well as the significance that history and provenance play in today’s flourishing art market. Peploe’s *Roses In A Green Jug* now joins a lineage of masterpieces sought by those who cherish both artistic innovation and cultural heritage.