NEWS & CURIOSITIES

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THE LATEST FROM CHORLEY'S EXPERTS 

 

 

A HOLY GRAIL OF THE ARTS & CRAFTS MOVEMENT

Rare gold Chalice and Monstrance to be auctioned

Two Arts & Crafts masterpieces that represent the pinnacle of the silver and 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 and a silver and enamel monstrance designed and made by the polymath Henry Wilson for the Benedictine order of Monks at Caldey Abbey.

 
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PIONEERING WOMEN ARTISTS LEAD MODERN ART SALE

Knight, Procter, Zinkeisen and Rie

Four of the twentieth century’s leading female British artists will headline our Modern Art and Design sale on 19th November 2024. At a time when the British art world was overwhelmingly patriarchal, these artists established fascinating careers spanning fine and commercial art. They were equally diverse in their subject matter, ranging from lighthearted snapshots of high society to historically important depictions of WWII.

 
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‘POLDARK’ CARPET GOES UNDER THE HAMMER

The Chavenage House Ziegler

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

 
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FEMINIST TRACT OUTSELLS ROYAL AUTOGRAPH

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.

 
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THE OMBERSLEY COURT LIBRARY

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.

 
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DUNKIRK MANOR: A Lifetime of Collecting

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.”

 
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THE HOUSE OF SANDYS: OMBERSLEY COURT

Private Collection of the Sandys of Ombersley Court heads to Auction in aid of the Sandys Trust

Chorley’s are delighted to hold a further auction of the private collection of the illustrious Sandys family at Ombersely Court, Worcestershire. Offering a more personal insight into this historical family, who amassed an extraordinary collection of furniture, paintings, rare antiquarian books and works of art over many centuries. Proceeds of the auction will go to the Sandys Trust, a charity supporting a range of charitable causes close to the hearts of the Sandys.

 
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OUSTANDING RESULTS FOR A POLITICAL INHERITANCE

3rd Earl of Liverpool's collection exceeds £700,000 Hammer total

Chorley's saw high competition for works by descent from the private collection of the 3rd Earl of Liverpool, Charles Cecil Cope Jenkinson, (1784-1851) in its auction of A Political Inheriatance. "It was no surprise that a single-owner sale of noble provenance and with Royal connections was such a success.  It was particularly pleasing that every section of the sale had its star lots, from an Old Master ‘sleeper’, all the way to a gold box presented to the 3rd Earl by King Leopold I of Belgium."

 
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JOHN PEEL BUTTONS EXCEED EXPECTATIONS

D'ye ken John Peel Hunt Buttons sell for £7,000

A private collection of hunt buttons made for a successful sale, with keen collectors making for a sold rate of over 90%. A set of 18th century silver hunting buttons connected to the legendary English huntsman John Peel (1776–1854) saw competitive bidding with the buttons finally selling for £8, 974 against a pre-sale estimate of £3,000-£5,000. Some of the seven buttons in the set feature names his hounds and one of them engraved with a mounted huntsman.

 
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