THE STORY BEHIND

WIND-UP GRAMOPHONE

THAT LOOKS VINTAGE: It dates from the Twenties and comes from Faringdon House, the Oxfordshire home of the composer Lord Berners, sometimes known as the last great eccentric.

A GRAND PILE? Yes — a Palladian villa — the perfect backdrop for parties. Guests at Faringdon House included Salvador Dali, Aldous Huxley, Elsa Schiaparelli and John Betjeman.

AN ESTEEMED BUNCH: Wild, too. Lord Berners’ companion, Robert Heber-Percy, was nicknamed ‘the Mad Boy’ as he was known for riding naked through the countryside. BLIMEY! He dyed his fan-tailed pigeons pink, orange, green and blue, too.

WHAT ABOUT THE GRAMOPHONE? Oh yes. It’s up for auction with an estimate between £600 and £1,000.

WHERE? At Christie’s on London’s King Street on April 12, christies.com.