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Live
Venue address
Dreweatts
Donnington Priory
Newbury, Berkshire
RG14 2JE
United Kingdom
The Attic Sale: Powderham Castle & Brocklesby Park
This is a live online auction with auctioneer. For details on registration, bidding, viewing & condition reports, click “Important information” link.
Dreweatts presents a landmark attic sale for two of England's most iconic private estates. Read more...!
Viewing in London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
19 May 2025: 10:00 - 16:00 BST
20 May 2025: 10:00 - 16:00 BST
21 May 2025: 10:00 - 16:00 BST
Auction dates
Jun 03, 2025 10:30 AM BST
Viewing dates
May 30, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM BST
Jun 01, 2025 10:00 AM - 03:00 PM BST
Jun 02, 2025 10:00 AM - 04:00 PM BST
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26 % (exc. Sales tax) |
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Featured lots
We found 141 items matching your search
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A VICTORIAN EBONISED BEECH BOBBIN-TURNED ARMCHAIR
MID 19TH CENTURY
Of typical form with part padded arms and caned seat on bobbin legs with ceramic castors
101cm high, 66cm wide, 64cm deep
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A GRADUATED PAIR OF EARLY VICTORIAN MAHOGANY DRESSING MIRRORS
MID 19TH CENTURY
Each with a crossgrained surround and inverted breakfront plinth, the larger with replaced and missing feet
93cm high, 79cm wide, 41cm deep and 74cm high, 66cm wide, 27cm deep
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A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY CANTERBURY
CIRCA 1830
Of four divisions with a cedar-lined drawer below, turned tapering legs and brass caps and castors
53cm high, 51cm wide, 40cm deep
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 18th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 140 in the Music Room
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 76
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A GEORGE IV SIMULATED ROSEWOOD ARMCHAIR
CIRCA 1830
The ring-turned frame with loose cushions, part-padded arms with bold scrolled terminals, on turned tapering legs with brass caps and castors
100cm high, 66cm wide, 76cm deep
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A PAIR OF VICTORIAN IRON-FRAMED EASY CHAIRS
CIRCA 1860
With curved buttoned backs and turned legs with brass capped castors, upholstery distressed
90cm high, 67cm wide, 64cm deep
Together with another iron-framed child's chair
66cm high, 47cm wide, 43cm deep
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A GROUP OF VARIOUS DOMESTIC FURNITURE
18TH AND 19TH CENTURY
Comprising a chiffonier, 95cm wide
a chest of drawers, 115cm wide,
A George III oak bedside cupboard, 49.5cm wide
And a walnut two door cabinet, 59cm wide
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A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIR
MID 19TH CENTURY
With a deep buttoned back, out-turned arms and a moulded front seat rail on turned tapering legs with brass capped ceramic castors, upholstery distressed
101cm high, 77cm wide, 85cm deep
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1
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Estimate
1,200 - 1,800 GBP
A PAIR OF GEORGE IV MAHOGANY CHEVAL MIRRORS
CIRCA 1830, IN THE MANNER OF GILLOWS
Each with rectangular supports and bipedal feed with leather covered castors, one with applied candle arms, the other lacking plate
each 174cm high, 101cm wide, 57cm deep overall
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A SET OF SIX VICTORIAN EBONISED WALNUT DINING CHAIRS IN CHARLES II STYLE
19TH CENTURY
Each of traditional high back form with inset cane back and seat
Each 118cm high
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A VICTORIAN TOLE PEINTE RAISED FIRE FENDER OR PLATE WARMER
CIRCA 1870
Of rounded rectangular form, the top with remnants of black and gilt decoration, raised on steel cabriole legs with paw feet
112cm wide, 50.5cm high, 47cm deep
A similar example is held in the Judge's Lodgings, Presteigne.
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A REGENCY BLACK AND POLYCHROME PAINTED BED CANOPY
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Painted with pearls and foliate-wrapped reeds, distressed
one section 187cm long, two 203cm long
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A PAIR OF REGENCY MAHOGANY AND BRASS POLE SCREENS
EARLY 19TH CENTURY, ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS
Each with a rectangular panel with canted corners and pleated silk lining, on turned lotus-carved shafts and tricorn bases, handwritten paper labels to the bases, one inscribed `Gillow & Co / Pink Room'
145cm high, 40cm wide
Together with a William IV Mahogany Pole Screen, circa 1835, supporting a needlework banner, 148cm high, the banner 39cm by 47cm
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AN EDWARDIAN MAHOGANY AND YELLOW UPHOLSTERED ARMCHAIR
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
On square section cabriole legs in the manner of Howard & Sons
76cm high, 81cm wide, 87cm deep
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p.83, in the White Drawing Room
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A VICTORIAN WALNUT AND CALICO UPHOLSTERED EASY CHAIR
MID 19TH CENTURY
With a curved back and turned legs with brass caps and castors one back leg stamped `2729', caps stamped `COPE & COLLINSON PATENT'
77cm high, 72cm wide, 87cm deep
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A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY CHEVAL MIRROR
CIRCA 1830
With a scrolled foliate-carved cresting above a rectangular mirror on sleigh feet with foliate brackets, reeded bun feet and inset castors
191cm high, 99cm wide, 58cm deep
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A LATE VICTORIAN BRASS AND WIREWORK NURSERY FENDER
LATE 19TH CENTURY
69cm high, 105cm wide, 31cm deep
Together with two George III polished steel pierced serpentine fenders
128cm wide and 128cm wide
a pierced brass and steel footman
32cm high, 45cm wide, 32cm deep
a pair of blacked copper cola scuttles
50cm high
and an Edwardian triple-fold fire screen
57cm high, 53cm wide
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A CARVED GIALLO ANTICO MARBLE SHELL FORM CENTREPIECE IN THE MANNER OF BOSCHETTI
ITALIAN, 19TH CENTURY
Shell on addorsed dolphin supports, black marble plinth below
20cm high overall, base 14cm wide
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p.83, in the White Drawing Room
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Y A MID VICTORIAN ROSEWOOD SHOW FRAME SETTEE
CIRCA 1860
98cm high, 116cm wide
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Y A PAIR OF REGENCY BRASS-MOUNTED ROSEWOOD AND SIMULATED ROSEWOOD POLE SCREENS
CIRCA 1820
Each with an octagonal panel on turned acanthus-carved shafts and tricorn bases with brass ball feet, one acorn finial part missing
138cm high, 39cm wide
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AN EARLY VICTORIAN EASY ARMCHAIR
CIRCA 1840
Upholstered in oatmeal canvas on short turned legs with brass castors, the back leg stamped `2777' castors stamped `COPES PATENT'
88cm high, 81cm wide, 100cm deep
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A PAIR OF GEORGE III BLACK AND WHITE JAPANNED STANDS
PROBABLY EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Each with a red baize-lined rectangular platform on a baluster turned column and tripod base, one column repaired
85cm high, 35cm wide, 32cm deep
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A REGENCY NEEDLEWORK FOOTSTOOL
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Depicting a standing lady and distant pagoda on gilt metal ball feet
19cm high, 34cm square
Together with another with long-stitch upholstery footstool, two feet missing
20cm high, 36cm square
And another Victorian giltwood footstool, with tapestry upholstered top, 18cm high, 36cm wide, 31cm deep, and a further larger Victorian needlework and felt covered ottoman
Provenance:
The Regency footstools probably supplied to William 'Kitty' Courtenay, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835), and thence by descent
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A REGENCY MAHOGANY AND EBONY STRUNG TALL CHEST OF DRAWERS
CIRCA 1820
122cm high, 92cm wide, 63cm deep
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A PAIR OF VICTORIAN SCUMBLED PINE LUGGAGE STANDS
CIRCA 1850
In the form of a hall bench
72cm high, 91cm wide, 62cm deep
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A REGENCY CANED AND LATER WHITE-PAINTED SIDE CHAIR
CIRCA 1810
With a caned back and seat, apparently originally black painted
86cm high, 49cm wide, 52 cm deep
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A RED PAINTED AND EBONISED 'GYPSY' TABLE
LATE 19TH CENTURY
On typical tripod support
61cm high, 40cm diameter
Together with a white painted hall chair, 77cm high (2)
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A VICTORIAN CARVED OAK BOOKCASE CABINET IN ANTIQUARIAN TASTE
CIRCA 1890
240cm high, 96cm wide, 52cm deep
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A VICTORIAN MAHOGANY SIDEBOARD
POSSIBLY SCOTTISH, CIRCA 1840
125.5cm high overall, 213cm wide, 62cm deep
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A QUEEN ANNE OAK GATE-LEG DINING TABLE
EARLY 18TH CENTURY
The circular drop-leaf top on a frame with turned and square-section legs, the plank top re-supported, repairs
72cm high, 188cm wide, 187cm deep
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Y A REGENCY PLUM-PUDDING MAHOGANY AND EBONY STRUNG BREAKFAST TABLE
CIRCA 1815
72cm high, 106 x 142.5cm
Provenance :
Supplied to William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835) and thence by descent.
Literature:
Inventory 1880, recorded in the State Bedroom, `Mahy (sic) B'fast table'.
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A SET OF FIVE GRAINED BEECH AND CANE SIDE CHAIRS IN CHARLES II STYLE
LATE 19TH CENTURY
Each with a foliate toprail centred by a crown, spiral turned uprights and turned and square section legs with foliate-carved front stretcher
114cm high, 49cm wide, 41cm deep
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life , April 4th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 491, in the State Dining Room.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p.81, in the Great Staircase
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 46
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3,000 - 5,000 GBP
A PAIR OF GEORGE III CREAM-PAINTED AND PARCEL-GILT ARMCHAIRS
LATE 18TH CENTURY, THE DESIGN ATTRIBUTED TO JAMES WYATT, POSSIBLY BY ELWARD, MARSH & TATHAM
Each with a rectangular padded back and downcurved part-padded arms with leaf-scroll terminals, the padded seat on panelled square tapering legs headed by rosette blocks, the frames carved throughout with leaf and berry swags, the cream silk upholstery apparently original but distressed, with batten-carrying holes to seat rails.
86cm high, 62cm wide, 57cm deep
Provenance:
Supplied to William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835) and thence by descent.
Literature:
Inventory 1803, probably part of a set of 8 cabriole chairs with satin seats, white and gold frames, recorded in the Sitting Room
Inventory 1835, recorded in the Print Room
Inventory 1880, `8 smaller armchairs, yellow satin, gold leg', recorded in the Music Room
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 82 in the First Library and p. 142 in the Second Library.
The armchairs are conceived in the late 18th century neoclassical taste promoted in published works by designers such as George Hepplewhite and Thomas Sheraton while their rectilinear form and sparse decoration is consistent with the oeuvre of James Wyatt (d.1813). Wyatt succeeded Robert Adam as the `most fashionable architect' and `first in his line' after the opening in 1772 of the Pantheon, the 'stately pleasure dome' in Oxford Street, London that Wyatt had designed. Horace Walpole declared it 'the most beautiful edifice in England', and the public was no less enthusiastic. It was a turning point in the careers of both Wyatt and Adam. Wyatt became the dominant figure while Adam received no significant country house commissions after 1774, indeed Wyatt took over several projects that had formerly been Adam's. Wyatt was also a prolific and accomplished designer of furniture and, working in the fashionable neoclassical style of the day, could create a complete architectural room unified down to the smallest detail (John Martin Robinson, James Wyatt Architect to George III , London, 2011, pp. 13 - 57 and 144 - 165).
William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, engaged Wyatt to create a grand neoclassical Music Room at Powderham Castle, 1794 - 96, Wyatt, by then long-established as an architect, was in Courtenay's circle through his association with William Beckford. He also had established relationships with furniture-makers including Gillows of Lancaster and London, Marsh & Tatham of Mount Street, London, and Matthew Boulton, the inventor, engineer and silversmith of Birmingham (Wyatt remodelled Boulton's Soho House around the same time). The relationship between Courtenay and Marsh & Tatham is well documented, the latter's bill for work carried out for Courtenay between 1997 - 99 amounting to at least £3000, and possibly even more since a second bill was submitted in 1803, though this may have duplicated in some part the earlier bill, and in fact payment was deferred for another three years (Courtenay's extravagant lifestyle having resulted in rather dire financial straits). It is highly likely therefore that these chairs, from a set of at eight, were among the furnishings supplied by Marsh and Tatham.
The remainder of the set was sold from Powderham at Sotheby's house sale, London, 29 September 2009, lots 65, 66 and 67 (each pair £16,500 including premium).
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 52
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2,000 - 4,000 GBP
A SET OF WILLIAM IV MAHOGANY FOLDING LIBRARY STEPS
CIRCA 1838 BY HEARSON, BARNSTAPLE
With a leather-lined seat, hinged to form a set of steps with red baize lined treads. Labelled `HEARSON Cabinet Maker & Upholsterer AND FANCY CHAIR MANUFACTURER, Litchdon Street, BARNSTAPLE Auctioneer & Appraiser And House Agent'
52cm high, 95cm wide, 50cm deep as a bench
Provenance :
Probably supplied to William Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon (d. 1859) and thence by descent at Powderham Castle
George and Charles Hearson (fl. 1823 - 30) were listed as chair-makers at High Street, Barnstaple and later Pitton High Street, Barnstaple (Cotton archive). George is listed trading independently at the Litchdon Street address in 1838, at which time he is described as making rocking-horses and fancy chairs (BIFMO). The label here which doesn't appear to have been previously recorded also states that Hearson (presumably George) acted as as an agent.
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A GEORGE III GILTWOOD, SIMULATED EBONY AND NEEDLEWORK-UPHOLSTERED OCTAGONAL STOOL
CIRCA 1790
The padded seat on tapering turned and fluted legs, stamped to the rails `HM', original upholstery, decoration distressed
39cm high, 42cm wide
Provenance:
Probably supplied to William 'Kitty' Courtenay, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835), and thence by descent
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AN EARLY VICTORIAN YEWWOOD OCCASIONAL TABLE
MID-19TH CENTURY
The circular radially veneered tilt top on a bulbous facetted column and tricorn base with brass and iron castors
78cm high, 64cm wide
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20,000 - 40,000 GBP
A PAIR OF GEORGE III MAHOGANY ARMCHAIRS
ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM AND RICHARD GOMM, CIRCA 1760
Each with a shaped padded back, the pierced serpentine frame headed by a foliate-framed cabochon above part padded arms with scrolled terminals and a padded serpentine seat, on cabriole legs carved with interlaced strapwork and with scrolled feet and brass castors, old damages, restorations and replacement
110cm high, 79cm wide, 70cm deep
Provenance:
Probably acquired by William, 2 nd Viscount Courtenay, (1742 - 1788) and thence by descent.
Literature:
Inventory 1803, recorded as mahogany armchairs.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life , April 4 th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 490, in the Marble Hall. Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 18 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 143 in the Great Hall.
The chairs reflect the `French' rococo taste that was its height in England in the mid-18th century, their serpentined frames pierced and wrapped with Roman acanthus leaves in the `picturesque' manner that was invented on the continent by artists, architects and ornamentistes such as Meissonnier and Oppenord, and promoted in England particularly in regard to furnishings by William Hogarth in The Analysis of Beauty (1753).
While the chairs' design is attributed to the Clerkenwell father and son cabinet-makers William and Richard Gomm, they relate to a much larger group of related designs associated with furniture-makers who were active at the time. Foremost among these was Thomas Chippendale whose pattern book The Gentleman and Cabinet-Makers' Director was first published in 1754 and included a number of designs for armchairs derived from French patterns, described variously as `modern' or `picturesque', further he illustrated one such chair at the head of his advertisement for the establishment of his St Martin's Lane workshop and adopted a similar pattern as his shop sign. Chippendale's accompanying notes on how such chairs might be executed included that the backs are `open below at the seat, which greatly lightens them' and that the carving be lessened, ie fretted `by an ingenious workman without detriment to the chair'.
William Gomm established his business in 1724 at Peterborough Court, Smithfield, but moved in 1736 to Newcastle House, Clerkenwell Square where he built more extensive workshops. In the 1730s Gomm had a close association with the German cabinet-maker Abraham Roentgen who had travelled to Paris, Rotterdam and London to gain experience in the cabinet trade and he is recorded working with `Gern' (certainly Gomm) after the firm relocated to Newcastle House. Richard, his eldest son from his first marriage, joined him in business and by 1763 the business traded as William Gomm & Son & Co. William Gomm's earliest recorded commission was for Richard Hoare of Barn Elms, London, 1731 - 33 and the most extensive was for the 5th Lord Leigh for Stoneleigh Park, Warwickshire, from 1763, amounting to more than 180 various items and totalling £819 9s (Shakespeare Birthplace Trust, Leigh receipts, DR 18/5). Perhaps the most celebrated of the firm's commissions was the set of carved giltwood armchairs for Kenure Park, Co. Dublin, most probably for Sir Roger Palmer, 1st Bt., circa 1760 - 65. The mansion had celebrated rococo plasterwork ceilings and carved woodwork and the equally impressive furniture was supplied by the best London makers including Thomas Chippendale and Pierre Langlois. The Kenure armchairs were designed in the fully conceived `French' rococo' taste of the mid-18th century and like the Powderham chairs the frames were pierced-through, following the advice of Chippendale; the pattern appears among designs, some bearing the signature of William Gomm and variously dated for 1761, this particular design appears to be unique in its form (L. Boynton, `William & Richard Gomm', Burlington Magazine , June 1980, fig. 25).
A pair of chairs from the Powderham set was sold in Sotheby's house sale, London, 29 September 2009, lot 23 (£79,250 including premium), and again Christie's, New York, 8 April 2025, lot 210 ($88,200 including premium).
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A GEORGE VI CORONATION CHAIR
1937, BY HANDS & SONS LTD
Beech framed and upholstered in green braided velvet embroidered with the cipher `GIVR'
85cm high, 50cm wide, 40cm deep
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A SET OF THREE GEORGE IV MAHOGANY SIDE CHAIRS
CIRCA 1825
With a padded back and seat on slightly splayed square tapering legs and gilt lacquered brass caps and castors, one re-railed, differences in upholstery
95cm high, 52cm wide, 54cm deep
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A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY BREAKFRONT SIDE CABINET
CIRCA 1820
With four brass grille doors each enclosing two adjustable shelves on turned feet
91cm high, 162cm wide, 41cm deep
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AN ESTATE-MADE MAHOGANY AND OAK TRIPOD TABLE
19TH CENTURY
The associated rounded rectangular top on a baluster column and tripod base
69cm high, 54cm wide, 39cm deep
Together with another with an oval top
77cm high, 57cm wide, 41cm deep
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A VICTORIAN GREEN UPHOLSTERED DROP END SOFA
CIRCA 1870
Single end scrolling form on substantial turned legs with white porcelain castors
87cm high, 204cm wide, 79cm deep
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Y AN EARLY VICTORIAN BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD WRITING-TABLE
CIRCA 1840
The red tooled leather lined top above two frieze drawers and opposing false drawers, on standard end supports and sleigh feet with brass castors, losses to mouldings, one curved end bracket missing
76cm high, 122cm wide, 66cm deep
Literature:
Photographed in the first Library for Country Life in 1908
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1,000 - 2,000 GBP
A PAIR OF MAHOGANY AND UPHOLSTERED SOFAS
LATE 18TH CENTURY AND LATER
In need of reupholstery, each with humped back and outscrolled arms above the seat and square section fluted supports
99cm high, 218cm wide, 77cm deep
Provenance :
Probably supplied to William, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835) and thence by descent.
Literature :
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle I', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 4th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 20 in the Gold Drawing Room
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 100
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Y A REGENCY BRASS-MOUNTED ROSEWOOD, SIMULATED ROSEWOOD AND BIRCH GAMES TABLE
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The rectangular top with a sliding chess board on a turned tapering shaft and scrolled sabre legs
70cm high, 43cm wide, 38cm deep
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 18th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 140 in the Music Room.
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 76
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A GEORGE IV SIMULATED ROSEWOOD AND PARCEL-GILT STOOL
CIRCA 1830
The padded seat on tapering turned and spiral fluted legs with ball feet
39cm high, 43cm square
Together with a George IV Indian rosewood and parcel-gilt fire screen, with a panel of distressed painted silk and scrolled splayed legs
111cm high, 68cm wide, 43cm high
And a set of simulated rosewood, parcel gilt and caned bed steps
64cm high, 41cm wide, 60cm deep
Literature:
The stool, Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life , April 4th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 490, in the Music Room.
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 76
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A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY AND CROSS-BANDED TILT TOP BREAKFAST TABLE
CIRCA 1825
61.5cm high, the top 102 x 142cm
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life, July 18th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 140 in the Music Room.
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 76
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A PAIR OF CARVED GILTWOOD BERGERES
MODERN, AFTER THE DESIGN BY MARSH & TATHAM, CIRCA 1797, FOR THE POWDERHAM CASTLE DOLPHIN SUITE
Each with a scrolled and leaf-carved padded back, part-padded arms supported by dolphins and a loose cushion, above reeded and ribbon-wrapped rails on tapering turned, leaf-carved and reeded legs with brass lotus-capped castors
94cm high, 76cm wide, 76cm deep
Provenance:
Supplied to Hugh Courtenay, 18th Earl of Devon, and thence by descent
Literature:
John Hardy, `The Powderham Dolphin Chairs', Furniture History , vol. 29, 1993, pp.140 - 143.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle III', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 18th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 140 in the Music Room.
The Powderham `Dolphin' seat furniture was commissioned in the late 1790s by William 3rd Viscount Coutenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768 - 1835), who shared his close friend William Beckford Junior's antiquarian, musical and theatrical interests and celebrated his coming-of-age in 1791 with a magnificent masquerade ball. Between 1794-96 he employed Beckford's architect James Wyatt (d.1813) to create a grand neo-classical Music Room at Powderham Castle, intended to serve also as a ballroom and theatre.
The suite was likely included in the fee of £3000 for upholsterer's work etc carried out between 1797-99 by Messrs. Elward, Marsh and Tatham of Mount Street, upholders to George, Prince of Wales, later George IV (M.Girouard, `Powderham Castle - III', Country Life , 18 July 1963, p.142). A further sum of a similar amount was due to Messrs. March and Tatham in 1803, though this may have duplicated some, or much of the earlier bill, and payment was deferred until 1806 reflecting at the time Courtenay's financial difficulties arising from his extravagance.
The whole suite including four bergeres, four sofas and eighteen side chairs is recorded in the Music Room at Powderham in an 1803 `Inventory of the furniture... belongg. to the Right. Honle Lord Viscount Courtenay at Powderham Castle and Exwell Farm in the County of Devon'.
The form of the bergeres demonstrate the influence of fashionable French seat furniture of the 1770s and 1780s such as the fauteuils a la Turque supplied by Georges Jacob to the Comte d'Artois for le Cabinet turc at the Palais du Temple (P. Verlet, Les Meubles Francais du XVIIIe Siecle , Paris, 1986, fig. 142). Lord Courtenay would have been highly aware of contemporary Parisian style having spent time in Paris with Beckford who rented the Hotel d'Orsay on rue de Varenne in 1788 and visited Paris frequently both during and after the Revolution. The arm supports are modelled as dolphins, a reference to the story told by Herodotus of the Grecian poet Arion who, returning from Italy to Corinth, was robbed and thrown overboard by the ship's crew but sang to attract and charm a dolphin who carried him safely to shore. Dolphins also act as supporters for the Courtenay coat of arms and prominently feature in the architecture.
A pair of bergeres from the Powderham suite was sold Christie's, London, 5 December 1991, lot 222 (£242,000 including premium) and a pair of sofas, lot 223 (£132,000 including premium).
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A REGENCY MAHOGANY MUSIC STAND
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
Of adjustable height with a pair of brass articulated candle sconces on a reeded and turned column and tripod base
44cm wide excluding candle sconces
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life , April 4th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 490, in the Music Room.
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 76
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1,500 - 2,500 GBP
Y A WILLIAM IV GONCALO ALVES WINDOW SEAT
CIRCA 1835
Upholstered in mauve damask, with scrolled padded arms, deep-buttoned squab cushion and tapering turned and lapetted legs with brass caps and castors
78cm high, 144cm wide, 45cm deep
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A VICTORIAN CARVED GILTWOOD FIRESCREEN
MID 19TH CENTURY
With a needlework panel depicting a vase of flowers in a foliate surround and splayed legs
107cm high, 64cm wide
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle I', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 4th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 20 in the Old Library.
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 100
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A REGENCY GILTWOOD MUSIC STOOL
CIRCA 1800, POSSIBLY BY GILLOWS
The circular needlework and embroidered seat above Greek key painted and stop-fluted rails on guilloche and fluted sabre legs, stamped `FS' and numbered `3837'
46cm high, 45cm diameter
Together with another with panelled sabre legs, stamped `FS' and numbered `3838'
47cm high, 37cm diameter
Provenance:
Probably supplied to William 'Kitty' Courtenay, 3rd Viscount Courtenay, later 9th Earl of Devon (1768-1835), and thence by descent
Literature :
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle I', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 4th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 20 in the Gold Drawing Room
For an image of the present lot in situ, please see page 100
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Y A BRAZILIAN ROSEWOOD, GILT COMPOSITION AND SIMULATED ROSEWOOD SIDE TABLE
PROBABLY EARLY 20TH CENTURY INCORPORATING ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS, OF REGENCY STYLE
With a white marble top supported by bulbous foliate columns, the back with a panel of Chinese style painted silk, on a plinth
90cm high, 110cm wide, 51cm deep
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A VICTORIAN GILTWOOD AND FLORAL NEEDLEWORK UPHOLSTERED PRIE-DIEU
MID 19TH CENTURY
Of typical form on turned and foliate carved legs with brass caps and castors
110cm high, 59cm wide, 54cm deep
Literature:
Photographed in the State Bedroom for Country Life in 1963
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1,500 - 2,000 GBP
A VICTORIAN 15-INCH TERRESTRIAL TABLE GLOBE
DATED 1842, BY G & J CARY, LONDON
Applied with 12 hand-coloured engraved gores incorporated makers label CARY'S TERRESTRIAL GLOBE..., Published by G & J. Cary, St, James's St. Jan'y 4th 1842 to North Pacific
On a later and associated stained pine stand, turned legs and x-stretcher
51cm high overall, 52cm diameter
Provenance:
Probably supplied to William Courtenay, 10th Earl of Devon, and thence by descent
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A GEORGE IV MAHOGANY PEMBROKE BREAKFAST TABLE
CIRCA 1830
80cm high, 103.5cm wide (open), 91cm deep
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A MAHOGANY SOFA
20TH CENTURY, OF HOWARD STYLE
With two loose cushions and square tapering legs with brass castors
92cm high, 155cm wide, 82cm deep
Together with a matching easy chair
92cm high, 77cm wide, 80cm deep
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p.83, in the White Drawing Room
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1,500 - 2,500 GBP
CHARLES RAPHAËL PEYRE (1872-1949) A LARGE WHITE MARBLE FIGURAL GROUP 'BATAILLE DE FLEURS'
EARLY 20TH CENTURY
'Battle of the Flowers' with three putti playfully battling over flowers, signed C R B Peyre , set on a variegated pink marble oval base
marble 53cm high, 63cm high overall, base approximately 45cm wide
Literature:
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle II', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 11 th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV , p. 81 in the Great Staircase.
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A GEORGE III MAHOGANY AND PAINTED HALL CHAIR
CIRCA 1790, ATTRIBUTED TO GILLOWS OF LANCASTER
The pierced back with an oval with radiating lotus-carved spokes, headed by a painted coronet and centred by a painted pearled roundel with initial `C', above a dished panelled seat and turned legs joined by turned X-stretchers
94cm high, 46cm wide, 46cm deep
Provenance:
Probably commissioned by William 'Kitty' Courtenay, 9th Earl of Devon, when 3rd Viscount Courtenay, and thence by descent
Literature:
Inventory 1803, recorded as a set of twelve in the Great Hall
Inventory 1880, six are recorded in the Staircase Hall.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle', Country Life , April 4th 1908, Vol. XXIII, p. 487, in the Staircase Hall.
Illustrated 'Powderham Castle I', Mark Girouard, Country Life , July 4th 1963, Vol. CXXXIV, p. 21 in the Marble Hall.
An almost identical drawing of a hall chair was included in Gillows Estimate Sketch Book for 1990 (see Lindsay Boynton, Gillow Furniture Designs 1760-1800 , 1995, pl. 255).
Given the architectural context of the present chairs, it is interesting to note that Robert Gillow II (1745-1795), who ran the London branch of Gillows, was a close friend of James Wyatt's architect brother Samuel. Their close association with each other led to commissions furnishing many notable English country houses and indeed a number of chair designs associated with James Wyatt appear in the Gillows pattern books (L. Boynton, op. cit. pp.19-20 for a discussion of the Wyatt-Gillow alliance)
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A VICTORIAN GILT-METAL MOUNTED WALNUT AND MARQUETRY SIDE CABINET
CIRCA 1870
Of breakfront outline and inlaid with flowers and foliage, with three glazed doors enclosing velvet-lined shelves, the uprights headed by herms, on a plinth base
112cm high, 183cm wide, 37cm deep
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A REGENCY MAHOGANY DROP-LEAF WRITING-TABLE
EARLY 19TH CENTURY
The leather-lined drop-leaf top above a cedar-lined frieze drawer on fluted standard end supports with sabre legs and brass-capped castors
71cm high, 107cm wide, 54cm deep
Literature:
Photographed in the State Bedroom for Country Life in 1963
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