Home’s treasures under the hammer
DERBYSHIRE’S old-world charm is set to woo the world again when selected contents from a magnificent country home go under the hammer in February. Our first auction of 2021 saw the contents of the Old Hall at Burnaston in South Derbyshire produce a white glove sale, which means every lot sold. The results exceeded all expectations.
The overall sales figure topped £40,000 which was four times Hansons’ original estimate.
It showed yet again that the provenance of Derbyshire and the wish to own items that have adorned magnificent period properties in the county is irresistible to buyers all over the world.
I’m not quite sure who we have to thank for this – perhaps in part author Jane Austen for her romantic portrayal of Mr Darcy and his Derbyshire estate in her novel Pride and Prejudice.
As well as literary connections, the county is renowned for fine period properties such as Chatsworth House, Haddon Hall and Kedleston Hall.
They inevitably attract TV and film producers who often capture sweeping vistas of dramatic Peak District countryside.
As a proud Derbyshire-born man, I have always known the county is special, but it’s good to know that recognition of its beauty, history and heritage goes far and wide.
The next country home to set antique buyers’ pulses racing is Grove Hall, near Ashbourne.
On February 24 Hansons will be selling around 40 items from the property, which dates back to 1795, in its Winter Fine Art Auction.
High-quality objects including ceramics, books, an antique rocking horse and furniture, including a large dining table and chairs, will be among items available to purchase from the £2.2 million Grade Ii-listed Georgian manor house.
A sight to behold with a striking white exterior, it sits resplendent in ample gardens amid rolling Derbyshire countryside.
Its first occupant was Hugo Charles Meynell - a familiar surname to anyone with a knowledge of Derbyshire history.
Hugo Meynell (1735-1808) was an English country landowner and politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1762 and 1780.
Regarded as the father of modern fox hunting, he became master of foxhounds for the Quorn Hunt in Leicestershire in 1753.
Grove Hall, arguably one of the county’s finest but least known country houses, has also been home to members of the Gell family and has links to Bradley Hall in Derbyshire.
Hansons is privileged to handle the sale of selected contents and anticipates a successful sale.
Entries are invited for our February Winter Fine Art Auction and, if you have something tucked away at home you are considering selling, do get in touch.
Our most recent auction on January 16 again witnessed strong online bidding and exceptional results. To give you a flavour of what is selling well, the top selling item was lot 72, a 19th century, Louis XVI style porphry and ormolu eight-day cercle tournant mantel clock in the manner of Leroy of Paris. It sold for £5,800 – double its £2,200-£2,500 estimate.
But auctions are hugely eclectic and next in our top 10 was lot 84, a Chanel-style bag with gold hardware which made £2,400.
Lot 45, a pair of Regency silver sauce tureens and covers, made £2,300 and lot 6, a 1930s 9ct gold cigarette case with engine-turned decoration, reached £1,700. An item I particularly liked was lot 159, an early 20th century Chinese blue ground brocaded silk, lined gentleman’s coat with dragon ruyi, cloud and wave decoration. It sold for a stylish £1,450.
Other items to do well included lot 123, a pair of 19th century Chinese famille verte chargers, each decorated with battling figures on horseback and others with shields, which made £1,100; lot 169, a good early 20th century Jacobean-style oak refectory dining table, £850, and lot 8, a late Victorian 18ct gold key wind fob watch, £800.
These objects offer a flavour of Fine Art items destined for auction success. Our fine art sales encompass everything from jewellery, silver and watches to paintings, works of art, paintings, prints, metalware and furniture.
Free virtual valuations and home visits can be arranged in lockdown as well as contactless collections.
We abide by Covid safety regulations at all times and constantly adapt to changing circumstances to enable us to continue to serve our clients.
If we can assist in any way, please email service@hansonsauctioneers. co.uk or call 01283 733988.