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Discovery of a rare Salor tribal Torba in a private collection
There is always a giddy excitement when one explores items that have emerged from attics and outbuildings in grand houses. A cache of Turkoman torba (woven storage bags to the uninitiated) had remained, relatively forgotten in a large attic chest and had been rediscovered by the family in a reorganization of the home. An unmistakably exciting discovery, unpublished and in private hands since at least the early 20th century – this Salor turned some heads – it certainly did ours.
Johannes Gutenberg and William Caxton
We often marvel at art and artefacts that have survived centuries or even millennia relatively unharmed. The survival of ephemeral and fragile works is all the more astounding in many cases. In advance of Chorley's upcoming auction of Books and Manuscripts that includes a leaf from the 42-line Gutenberg bible, a leaf from Caxton's Polychronicon and several illuminated manuscript leaves and fragments, we muse on the history and importance of incunabula and manuscript fragments.
Chorley’s announces The Gloucestershire Society as 2025 Charity of the Year
Chorley’s is proud to align with The Gloucestershire Society, recognising the profound impact the charity has on addressing poverty and deprivation in its local communities. Throughout the year, Chorley’s will integrate the Gloucestershire Society’s mission into auctions and events, actively promoting the charity and raising funds to support its initiatives. “We are thrilled to announce The Gloucestershire Society as our Charity of the Year for 2025"
Sophie Law joins the Chorley’s team
Chorley’s Auctioneers are delighted to announce the appointment of fine art expert Sophie Law as their new regional representative for Oxfordshire and the North Cotswolds. Sophie joins Chorley’s after 20 years working at London’s leading salerooms, where she ultimately headed up a Russian Department and became a UK Board Director.
Chorley's delighted to offer paintings by the “Happy Lowry”
This Spring, Chorley’s will offer nine oil paintings by the celebrated Modern British artist Fred Yates (1922-2008). Often referred to as the “Happy Lowry”, Yates painted bold, expressive oils that depict a variety of subjects. He is noted for his vividly comic vignettes of everyday life in Cornwall and other areas of the South West, which will form the bedrock of the collection offered by Chorley’s.
The Peter Jaff Collection | Part II
The second part of the studio ceramic collection from renowned South African potter and collector Peter Jaff will feature in a special timed auction hosted by Chorley’s Auctioneers this November. A Potter’s Journey: The Peter Jaff Collection | Part II will feature a curated selection of treasured pieces from his personal collection gathered over 40+ years, showcasing a deep appreciation for studio pottery and craftsmanship.
Huge interest takes Dod Procter portrait to 7x original estimate
Anna Katrina Zinkeisen's All the Colours of the Rainbow sold for £19,230 - a new global auction record – at Chorley’s Modern Art and Design sale this week. Intense bidding on six phone lines, in the saleroom and online saw the unique oil on canvas sail past its original estimate. A rare painting of a male sitter by Dod Procter also sparked huge interest soaring to 7 times its original estimate of £6,000-8,000 with the hammer finally going down at £64,100.
Rare gold Chalice to be auctioned
An Arts & Crafts masterpiece that represents the pinnacle of the goldsmiths’ art will go on sale at Chorley’s auctioneers in the Cotswolds on 19th November. A solid 22ct gold chalice and paten made by the Guild of Handicraft in 1952 studded with gemstones including amethyst, moonstone, opal and citrine.
Highlights from the Ombersley Court Library Sale
A rare edition of the first English feminist tract ‘An Essay in Defence of the Female Sex’ anonymously penned by Judith Drake in 1696 made £5,000 following enthusiastic bidding. A defence against male accusations of ignorance, vanity and enviousness in women it satirizes some of Drake’s male contemporaries. With strong bidding both nationally and internationally from collectors and antiquarian book dealers, the Ombersley Court Library sale achieved 2.6 times its lower pre-sale estimate.