"Syrie Maugham belongs to that rare group of designers whose innovative work was truly ground breaking. She changed the course of interior decoration forever and left a legacy that continues to influence designers to this day."

~ James Mackie

It is difficult to overstate Syrie Maugham’s impact on interior design. Her influence, both aesthetic and cultural, continues to inspire designers and collectors almost a century after her most iconic works were created. Known for her trailblazing “all-white room” and her instinctive ability to merge light, form, and comfort, Maugham redefined the art of domestic living.

The Signature Style of Syrie

The auction includes a number of pieces which have come directly through Syrie's family, from Syrie herself. Among the highlights of the sale is a desk, as well as a painted commode from the late 19th century. These pieces perfectly encapsulate her distinctive style.

When Maugham began designing, the English upper classes still favoured dark mahogany furniture and richly patterned William Morris wallpaper. Her approach was revolutionary: she swept away the visual heaviness of the Victorian interior, choosing instead soft, harmonious tones and elegant simplicity.

Her method of stripping or bleaching wood, known as “pickling,” became a hallmark of her style. These pieces perfectly demonstrate that refined technique and the sense of lightness and modernity that came to define her work.

A Circle of Taste and Talent

For more than four decades, Syrie Maugham stood at the centre of the fashionable transatlantic set. She was the patron for a number of artists and creatives, including Oliver Messel, Cecil Beaton, Noël Coward and Glyn Philpot.

Several pieces in this sale reflect those friendships and collaborations. A particularly notable example is a work by Oliver Messel depicting Maugham’s daughter Liza - a touching reminder of the close creative and personal connections that defined her life. This work also says a great deal about Liza as a society 'It' girl. Her wedding to Vincent Paravicini was an extraordinary affair, where Schiaparelli made her dress, Constance Spry arranged the flowers, Oliver Messel designed the wedding cake. It was a moment when glamour and the avant-garde came together to create this remarkable event.

The Glamourous Dolphin Chairs

The pair of Dolphin Chairs are iconic. They are extremely glamourous, combined with a sense of playful sophistication. They exemplify Maugham’s flair for theatricality and her belief that elegance need not be devoid of humour or imagination.

With their curving forms and sculptural presence, these chairs feel at once classical and whimsical - one part Versailles, two parts Oliver Messel theatre set. They reveal Maugham’s appreciation for the decorative arts and her instinct for drama within design.

This exceptional collection offers a rare glimpse into the private world of Syrie Maugham - not only her interiors and furnishings but the art, friendships, and ideas that shaped them. Her vision of beauty, light, and modernity remains as captivating today as it was in her own time.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 28 October, 2pm GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

Bidding is available in person at our salerooms, online, by telephone or you can leave commission (absentee) bids.

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VIEWING

• Viewing in London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
  • Tuesday 7 October: 10am-4pm
  • Wednesday 8 October: 10am-4pm
  • Thursday 9 October: 10am-4pm
• Viewing in Newbury (full sale): Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
  • Friday 24 October: 10am-4pm
  • Sunday 26 October: 10am-3pm
  • Monday 27 October: 10am-4pm 
  • Tuesday 28 October: 10am-2pm

Further information:
General enquiries: +44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: press@dreweatts.com