Dreweatts has been appointed to sell the collection from Flaxley Abbey in Gloucestershire, former seat of the Crawley-Boevey Baronets. The auction will be hosted at Dreweatts Donnington Priory salerooms on 3 October 2022. 

Flaxley Abbey is a house with an inescapable feeling of history and warmth, the contents a fascinatingly eclectic selection of works of art, furniture and pictures which have been inherited, collected and worked on by owners, architects and designers spanning over 500 years. The collection works like a needle thread not only through the history of the house but also provides a window into that iconic country house style of the 20th century.

Flaxley was originally founded in 1151 as a Cistercian monastery and, under royal protection during the reign of Henry II, was used as royal hunting quarters. Since then the estate has had many owners – each leaving an indelible mark over generations - including the Crawley-Boevey who retained the house from 1648-1960.

Under new ownership, an extensive restoration was carried out including interiors redesigned by Tony Award winning theatre and set designer Oliver Messel, one of the iconic figures of twentieth century design, whose romantic, whimsical, and wholly original style has influenced a generation of architects and decorators. Alongside the Messel Suite at the Dorchester hotel, and his extensive architectural work on the islands of Mustique and Barbados, Flaxley is one of his most important and complete commissions.

Commenting on the sale, Joe Robinson, Head of House Sales at Dreweatts, said: "The dispersal of collections often reflects an end to a moment in time but the sale of the collection from Flaxley Abbey documents a lasting record of this historically important design legacy and provides collectors a rarefied opportunity to engage with the indomitable spirit of the iconic 20^th century country house style and capture items of importance to conserve within their own evolving collections or interiors."

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AUCTION:
The auction will take place at Dreweatts Donnington Priory on Monday 3 October 2022. 

VIEWING IN LONDON (HIGHLIGHTS ONLY):
Venue: Dreweatts, 16-17 Pall Mall, St James's, London SW1Y 5LU
Monday 12 - Thursday 15 September: 10am - 4pm

VIEWING IN NEWBURY (FULL SALE):
Venue: Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
Thursday 29 - Friday 30 September: 10am - 4pm
Saturday 1 - Sunday 2 October: 10am - 3pm
There is no viewing on the day of the auction.  

BIDDING:

• Online bidding is available via dreweatts.com with no additional online bidding fees applicable. Please register at least 48 hours in advance of the auction as you may be asked to provide documents to verify your identity. Registration for new clients will close at 12 noon BST on Sunday 2 October. To create an online bidding account or register to bid click here.
• For telephone and commission bids, please email: bid@dreweatts.com. Commission bids may also be placed via your online bidding account.
• Bidding in person at our salerooms is also available. 

ENQUIRIES:
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com 
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com 
To sign up for email alerts: click here and choose 'House Sales and Private Collections' from the 'interests' list.

Black & White images of Flaxley Abbey: Copyright Country Life / Future Publishing 

Colour room shot images: Courtesy of The Messel Family Archive & Collection