Work by seminal British architects and designers such as Sir John Vanbrugh, James Wyatt and Robert Adam is up for grabs this month.
A combined total of £1.5 million is expected to be raised by the forthcoming Sotheby’s London sale of 130 lots of fine furniture, paintings and works of art from two great British houses – Powderham Castle and Seaton Delaval Hall, along with 70 lots from the private rooms of Seaton Delaval Hall (Vanbrugh’s masterpiece close to the Northumberland coast and the seat of Lord Hastings).
To be held in London on September 29th, the sale will include Georgian furniture, early British pictures, silver and ceramics.
The stunning interiors of Powderham are recognisable from the 1993 Academy Award-nominated film adaptation of Kazuo Ishiguro’s Remains of the Day, which featured Emma Thompson, Anthony Hopkins, Hugh Grant and Christopher Reeve as the retired American Congressman who buys the stately country manor.
Many of the items in the collection to be offered from the private rooms of the historic home appeared in the memorable scenes of the film.
The sale of these items will help to pay for the ongoing upkeep of the historic Powderham Castle, which this year celebrates its 50th anniversary of welcoming visitors.
Harry Dalmeny, Deputy Chairman Sotheby’s UK, responsible for British House Sales, comments: “We are honoured to offer works from these two noble seats in our House Sale at Sotheby’s New Bond Street. This fascinating auction offers collectors the exciting possibility of acquiring pieces from two famous English homes, each built and furnished by the family that still lives there.
Architects and designers of the calibre of Vanbrugh, Wyatt, Adam and Channon ensure that this sale will be unmissable for devotees of the English country house.”
The sale will include select pieces from Seaton Delaval Hall, an English baroque masterpiece built between 1718 and 1728 for Admiral George Delaval.
The house is considered to be the last and finest design by Sir John Vanbrugh, architect of Blenheim Palace and Castle Howard.
