Auction Lots

The Country House Sale On 23/06/2023

The Country House Sale

23/06/2023

One of our most anticipated sales of the year, the summer delivery of our bi-annual curated Country House auction features a wide variety of items you would expect from a traditional country estate, with a collection of lots from noble houses, too.

Including a range of impressive 18th & 19th century furniture and soft furnishings, as well as an array of smaller antiques and collectibles, jewellery, silver and our pick of outdoor and architectural lots, this sale promises to be an eclectic lineup of truly striking pieces.

Curator’s Highlights in Furniture...

LOT 6182: A Howard & Sons late 19th Century easy armchair, upholstered in stunning kilim fabric, with sprung back and seat and ring turned tapering supports with brass cups and castors. This certainly is an example of Howard & Sons’ unprecedented international reputation as makers of fine, bespoke furniture.

LOT 6209: A late 18th century Dutch leather six panel screen. Exquisitely hand-painted, each panel depicts four ‘Fete Galante’ scenes, in the style of French Rococo painter Antoine Watteau. Each scene a work of art in itself, this screen is truly something special for art-lovers and collectors of fine furniture alike.

LOT 6177: An elegant pair of 19th century mahogany entrance tables with top surface marbling and applied gilt lining, as well as LOT 6336: an 18th century oak refectory table, with carved cartouche lined with scrolling foliate and berries. Two highly desirable lots.

A real favourite is LOT 6226: a truly unique George I walnut cabinet on chest of drawers. As well as being a fine example of Georgian craftsmanship, this piece of furniture certainly holds more than meets the eye. Cabinet doors open to reveal a fitted interior comprising eleven assorted drawers, a central cupboard with lock and four pigeonholes concealing further secret drawers. This really is an intriguing item that would make a stand-out piece of furniture in the right home.

Finally, LOT 6362: a large 19th century French Country House Aubusson carpet makes for one of our most stunning items. The design comprises a central floral bouquet in a cartouche medallion surrounded by scallop shells, rose garlands and fuschia scrolls with pale teal rinceaux. Take a look at this item to see the full extent of detail in this outstanding design.

Of course, all the furniture in this sale has been exclusively picked, so make sure you take a look at our full catalogue. Our range of Yorkshire Oak furniture certainly shouldn’t be missed, including a number of Robert Thompson’s Mouseman items - a brand internationally recognised for using only the finest seasoned English oak and the signature carved mouse you can find on each piece.


Curator’s Highlights in Smaller Pieces...

The auction launches with LOT 6000: a beautiful Daum Summer Landscape glass vase, produced by the world renowned French glassmaker circa 1900. The ornately designed lake scene with birch trees & grasses in the foreground features cameo techniques to create a captivating finish, making this vase a truly sought-after and collectable piece.

When it comes to dining, LOT 6022: an exquisite Grainger Lee & Co. Worcester porcelain part dinner service, circa 1825 is a show-stopper. Designed in the ‘Old Indian’ style, with gilt borders and gadroon rims, this is a very elegant set.

Another of our favourites from the dining room is LOT 6007: a delightful set of six Art Nouveau silver and enamel pastry forks, designed for Liberty & Co. by the highly esteemed Archibald Knox, pioneer of modern 20th century design and one of Liberty’s primary designers at the height of their influence. With stylized turquoise & blue shaded terminals, this set would make a unique addition to anyone’s collection.

A really interesting find are two large Burmantofts Faience architectural tile plaques, LOT 6059: ‘The Maide at the Inne’ and LOT 6060: ‘The Stayble Man’, both designed and signed by William James Neatby. Neatby was one of Burmantofts most notable artists, and was also well known for his work at Doulton, including the 1902 murals in Harrods’ food hall. Relatively few signed pieces are known, making these two lots a wonderful addition to the auction.

Our last featured item is certainly not least. LOT 6062: A 19th century Grand Tour micro mosaic bracelet, composed of six oval panels depicting St Peter’s Square, The Colosseum, The Pantheon, The Tomb of Cecilia Metella, Castel Sant’Angelo & The Temple of ‘Vesta’/Hercules. Each oval mosaic is placed in an onyx setting with white metal surrounds, each joined by two embossed metal flowerheads. This really is a charming piece of jewellery.

Lot 6340

Mouseman - oak ashtray, canted rectangular form carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robe...

Mouseman - oak ashtray, canted rectangular form carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn, L10cm

B44764

SOLD £100

Lot 6341

Mouseman - oak ashtray, canted rectangular form carved with mouse signature, by Robert Thompson of K...

Mouseman - oak ashtray, canted rectangular form carved with mouse signature, by Robert Thompson of Kilburn, L10cm

10073

SOLD £80

Lot 6342

Mouseman - adzed oak bowl with centre mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn, ...

Mouseman - adzed oak bowl with centre mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn, D29cm

B44688

SOLD £400

Lot 6343

Mouseman - oak cheeseboard, of oval form, the handle with carved with mouse signature, by the worksh...

Mouseman - oak cheeseboard, of oval form, the handle with carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

10123

SOLD £90

Lot 6344

Mouseman - oak breadboard, canted rectangular form, the moulded edge carved with mouse signature, by...

Mouseman - oak breadboard, canted rectangular form, the moulded edge carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

10106

SOLD £170

Lot 6345

Acornman - pair of two-branch oak wall lights, by Alan Grainger of Brandsby, York, H15.5cm x W24cm ...

Acornman - pair of two-branch oak wall lights, by Alan Grainger of Brandsby, York, H15.5cm x W24cm

B35078

SOLD £75

Lot 6346

Rabbitman - Yorkshire oak fire screen, with needlework panel depicting a rural scene with sheepdog h...

Rabbitman - Yorkshire oak fire screen, with needlework panel depicting a rural scene with sheepdog herding sheep, carved with rabbit signature, by Peter Heap of Wetwang

10093

SOLD £110

Lot 6347

Wrenman - oak book trough, of rectangular form, with carved Wren signature, by Bob Hunter of Thirlby...

Wrenman - oak book trough, of rectangular form, with carved Wren signature, by Bob Hunter of Thirlby

5036

SOLD £140

Lot 6348

Mouseman - oak magazine rack, shaped cresting rail with pierced handle and carved mouse signature on...

Mouseman - oak magazine rack, shaped cresting rail with pierced handle and carved mouse signature on octagonal supports, two sloping panelled sides on sledge feet, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B35464

SOLD £700

Lot 6349

Mouseman - adzed oak joint stool, dished top on four octagonal supports united by stretchers, carved...

Mouseman - adzed oak joint stool, dished top on four octagonal supports united by stretchers, carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B37050

SOLD £460

Lot 6350

Mouseman - oak stool, tan leather upholstered seat with studded band, on octagonal supports joined b...

Mouseman - oak stool, tan leather upholstered seat with studded band, on octagonal supports joined by plain stretchers, carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B44646

SOLD £600

Lot 6351

Mouseman - oak rocking armchair, double pierced and carved lattice back, upholstered in tan leather ...

Mouseman - oak rocking armchair, double pierced and carved lattice back, upholstered in tan leather with stud work, octagonal front supports, carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B3185

SOLD £950

Lot 6352

Rabbitman - pair of Yorkshire oak armchairs, the lattice back over studded hide upholstered seat, ra...

Rabbitman - pair of Yorkshire oak armchairs, the lattice back over studded hide upholstered seat, raised on faceted octagonal supports united by stretchers, carved with Rabbit signature, by Peter Heap of Wetwang

50343

SOLD £600

Lot 6353

Beaverman - oak side table, canted form and fitted with single drawer, Yorkshire rose carved handles...

Beaverman - oak side table, canted form and fitted with single drawer, Yorkshire rose carved handles, turned supports joined by plain stretchers, carved with beaver signature, by Colin Almack of Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe

10020

SOLD £800

Lot 6354

Knightman - oak panelled corner cabinet, single astragal glazed door with chamfered glazing bars, wi...

Knightman - oak panelled corner cabinet, single astragal glazed door with chamfered glazing bars, with wrought iron fittings and handle, carved with knight signature, by Horace Knight of Balk, Thirsk

5032

SOLD £300

Lot 6355

Mouseman - adzed oak 6ft refectory dining table, rectangular plank top, raised on twin octagonal end...

Mouseman - adzed oak 6ft refectory dining table, rectangular plank top, raised on twin octagonal end supports on sledge feet united by floor stretcher, carved with fat mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

9134

SOLD £2000

Lot 6356

Mouseman - set six oak dining chairs, adzed panelled back, upholstered in navy blue leather with stu...

Mouseman - set six oak dining chairs, adzed panelled back, upholstered in navy blue leather with studded band, the octagonal front supports carved with mouse signatures, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

9134

SOLD £2500

Lot 6357

Mouseman - adzed oak octagonal concave dining table, raised on cruciform base, the supports and sled...

Mouseman - adzed oak octagonal concave dining table, raised on cruciform base, the supports and sledge feet also adzed, carved with fat mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

5032

SOLD £2400

Lot 6358

Mouseman - set four oak dining chairs, lattice carved back, upholstered in tan leather with studded ...

Mouseman - set four oak dining chairs, lattice carved back, upholstered in tan leather with studded band, the octagonal front supports carved with mouse signatures, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B44702

SOLD £1900

Lot 6360

Mouseman - adzed oak sideboard, raised back over rectangular top, fitted with three central graduati...

Mouseman - adzed oak sideboard, raised back over rectangular top, fitted with three central graduating drawers flanked by two panelled cupboards with wrought metal hinges and fittings, raised on octagonal supports, carved with mouse signature, by the workshop of Robert Thompson, Kilburn

B44702

SOLD £3400

Lot 6361

Rabbitman - adzed oak dresser, raised two tier plate rack over three drawers and three panelled cupb...

Rabbitman - adzed oak dresser, raised two tier plate rack over three drawers and three panelled cupboards, with wrought metal hinges and fittings, carved with rabbit signature, by Peter Heap of Wetwang

9246

SOLD £950