A group of superb Scottish colourist paintings is to be offered in the 20^th Century British Art sale at Christie's on May 26, 2011. The auction will be led by the most important work by Samuel John Peploe ever to come to auction, The Coffee Pot, 1905, which has an estimate of £800,000-1.2m.

One of five works which together constitute Peploe's most famous images, this painting illustrates the impact of Edouard Manet on the artist during his time in Paris. This canvas exemplifies the artistic sophistication which cemented Peploe's position in the European art scene.

Featuring an array of rare paintings by Peploe, John Duncan Fergusson and Francis Campbell Boileau Cadell, as well as Anne Redpath, this group provides serious collectors and institutions with a range of subjects and palettes which exemplify the celebrated painterly style of these artists. With two months left for works to continue to be consigned, this initial group is estimated to realise in excess of £1.5m.

Causing a stir: Peploe's The Coffee Pot could make £1.2m

Andre Zlattinger, the senior director in the 20^th British and Irish art department, said The Coffee Pot is Peploe's "most important work to come to auction.

"It marks a significant point of mastery and accomplishment in Peploe's early career, revealing a wonderful new painting technique and sophisticated handling of colour, light, form and texture."

Having recently been exhibited in the National Gallery of Scotland's exhibition Impressionists in Scotland, it is offered from a private collection and is a key Scottish work for any true connoisseur.

A further early Peploe is A Wine Decanter, Glasses and Fruit, 1905-1910, which has an estimate of £200,000-300,000. It is offered from the collection of the late William Bowie, who was an important collector of Scottish Colourists in the 1950s.

We have long been waiting for the Scottish colourist scene to gain a more prominent role with collectors. This auction will enable investors to obtain works that could rise significantly in price over the coming years.