Stay Informed with Chorley’s Latest News and Articles. Subscribe to Our Newsletter for a Diverse Collection of Stories and Updates from Chorley’s Auctioneers. From exciting discoveries to specialist sale announcements, explore art and antiques from our experts' perspective.
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
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.
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.
The exotic ballroom carpet from Chavenage House - the country manor that doubles as ‘Trenwith’ in the BBC’s Poldark series and as a mansion in the new Jilly Cooper / Disney Rivals series - will be auctioned by Chorley’s auctioneers on 22 October. The almost palatial 26 ft x 20 ft ‘Ziegler’ ballroom carpet was commissioned by the family from the Sultanabad area of West Persia, circa 1900, likely through the Manchester firm of Ziegler & Co. - Bids are expected in the region of £15,000 - £20,000
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.
One of England's most important Country House's Libraries
The Ombersley Court library, which has been largely untouched since the early 19th century, contains some of the greatest works and authors of the previous two centuries. “Rarely does such a comprehensive library come for auction: one of such historical significance and one that has remained private and unseen outside a limited circle.” The library spans centuries and subjects subjects reflecting the interests and occupations of various generations of the Sandys family.
Chorley's appointed to sell Contents of Historic Cotswold Country House
“The interiors at Dunkirk Manor were the culmination of a lifetime of collecting which seamlessly blended styles, cultures and textures across several centuries and reflected a unique personal style. The overall effect was atmospheric and theatrical, full of colour and eye-catching details, a breath of fresh air in a world full of dull and homogeneous interiors. It is now time for this collection, that has given so much joy, to be dispersed and go on to enhance other collections and interiors.”