AN EARLY 20TH CENTURY FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOOD MODEL OF AN ATLANTIC SALMON

EARLY 20TH CENTURY FOLK ART CARVED AND PAINTED WOOD MODEL OF AN ATLANTIC SALMON,
by John Macpherson of Inverness, insribed CAUGHT ON TORRESDAL FOSS. S. NORWAY. 19TH JUNE 1924 WEIGHT 43 LBS. E.W.H., signed to back board, framed, paper label verso, 54.5cm x 137cm overall

Provenance: This lot is being sold on behalf of Scottish Youth Hostels Association (also known as Hostelling Scotland) a registered Scottish charity No. SCO13138. It formed part of the collection of art from Carbisdale Castle. Carbisdale Castle was built in 1905-1917 for the Duchess of Sutherland on a hill across the Kyle of Sutherland. Until its closure, the castle had a large collection of art, with some pieces dating back to the year 1680 and including a number of fine Italian marble statues. Colonel Theodore Salvesen, a wealthy Scottish businessman of Norwegian extraction, bought the castle in 1933. He provided the castle as a safe refuge for King Haakon VII of Norway and Crown Prince Olav, who would later become King Olav V, during the Nazi occupation of Norway in World War II. During that time the castle was also used to hold important meetings. King Haakon VII made an agreement at the Carbisdale Conference on 22 June 1941, that the Russian forces, should they enter Norwegian territory, would not stay there after the war. Three years later, on 25 October 1944, the Red Army entered Norway and captured thirty towns, but later withdrew according to the terms of the agreement. After the Colonel died his son, Captain Harold Salvesen, inherited the castle and gave its contents and estate to the Scottish Youth Hostels Association. Carbisdale Castle Youth Hostel opened to members on 2 June 1945. Towards the end of 2014 Carbisdale Castle was put up for sale and in 2015 the bulk of the art collection was sold by Sotheby's reportedly raising £1M for SYHA. The internet has a plethora of information about Carbisdale Castle and some of the lots now being offered through our auctions can be seen in situ at: Carbisdale Castle - Part 2 of 2 (The Interior) - YouTube.

Condition Report
Chip to front fin and surrounding area; several small chips to body and a larger gouge towards rear section; further nicks around outline including tail; chip to top of upper fin; scratches and losses to paint in places throughout; backboard with dirt, discolouration and some staining; visible seams where backboard has been put together; additional images available