The interim results are in – and yes- once again the country house sale effect has resulted in massively inflated prices. The sale was expected to realise a total of £2.5 million from 20,000 lots. On the first day it raised £4.4 million, and a further £2.1 million on the second day, making a total of £6.5 million.
An item from the now demolished Devonshire House -shown above- that once stood in Piccadilly opposite Green park, attained the highest sale price.
It was a white marble George II chimneypiece dating from circa 1755.
Here it is shown in situ, in the Saloon at Devonshire House circa 1900. It was probably designed by William Kent and carved by John Bosun. Estimated at between £200,00-£300,000 it sold for £565,250.
A magnificent mahogany bookcase dating from 1805-1810, attributed to the makers Marsh and Tatham after designs by Thomas Hope, shown below in his fashionable Ottoman Empire garb, in a portrait by Sir William Beechey dating from 1798, was also for sale.
It was commissioned by William Cavendish, 5th Duke of Devonshire in association with his then wife, Lady Elizabeth Foster, as part of their plan for remodelling the Duke’s bedroom at Devonshire house, and is also sold well.
It has a central door that opens and is similar to bookcases commissioned by the Prince Regent. Estimated for sale £60,000-90,000 it sold for £145,250.
The enamel, diamond and ruby brooch shown below, sold as the property of Deborah, Dowager Duchess of Devonshire,the present Duke’s mother and only surviving Mitford sister, was estimated at £80-100.
It eventually sold for £8,500. My goodness….now that’s what I call an attic sale.
8 comments
October 8, 2010 at 5:52 pm
Sue S
wow gorgeous stuff. I’m sure not many regular folks got a memento but we can relish in the pictures.
October 9, 2010 at 10:56 am
jfwakefield
I know what you mean-the sale catalogue gave details of where bidders with helicopters could land on the estate!LOL
October 9, 2010 at 10:50 am
The Chatsworth Action Sale-What Someone Bought for Us….. « austenonly
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October 9, 2010 at 1:44 pm
imogen88
LOL, helicopters mean serious business! Well, are we surprised? At least it shows a healthy economy, despite what we get in the news all the time. You were right, Julie, thanks for the updates. Love them.
October 9, 2010 at 2:22 pm
jfwakefield
I think part of teh economy is always unchecked by recession, but the success of this (and other) sales doesn’t mean we are in deep economic trouble.But this is not teh place for such a discussion!LOL
October 9, 2010 at 7:09 pm
Cathy Allen
Thanks for following up on this, Julie. I’ve enjoyed the whole thing vicariously, and the best part is that I did not have to bankrupt myself to do it!
CEA
P.S. loved the Thomas Hope portrait! Was that outfit a common thing for a gentleman to have, or just meant for a special affair ? Would our Mr. Knightley or Mr. Darcy have had one?
October 13, 2010 at 10:56 am
jfwakefield
Thomas Hope was shown in exotic eastern dress, because he was vastly interested in the dress of both Turkey and Greece. He wrote extensively about ancient Grecian dress, (See his book “Costume of the Ancients”) and influenced the fashion for neo-classical designs worn by women in his book,”Designs of Modern Costume” (1812) He had just visited the area before the portrait above was painted. Byron was famously painted by Thomas Philips in an Abyssinian costume, circa 1813, after he bought some on a trip to Abyssinia in 1809. Go here to see.
So unless Mr Darcy and Mr Knightley had an interest in those countries, I can’t see that they would necessarily adopt such exotic dress….;)
October 13, 2010 at 4:05 pm
Cathy Allen
I just KNEW you’d know, thank you, Julie. I’d seen the Byron painting, but then he was a crazy artist (all artists are crazy, you know; I speak from first-hand knowledge), but I’m glad to know it wasn’t just a common affectation. I’m even more glad to know that Knightley and Darcy would NOT have done so. ;-) Thanks too, for the citations — more fascinating books for my wish list. You’re the best!
Thanks again,
CEA