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Auction Results | Lifetimes in Design: The Collections of Christopher Smallwood & Niall Hobhouse | 13 May 2026
On Wednesday 13 May, Dreweatts held the auction Lifetimes in Design, offering the personal collections of Christopher Smallwood and Niall Hobhouse. Both driven by a passion for architecture, these two aesthetes each assembled wonderful collections which reflected their interest in curating collections which balance cultural significance with modern influences. The sale attracted spirited bidding from around the world, with bidders joining online, on the telephone and in the room, resulting in a sale total of £1.09 million, 268% above the pre-sale estimate.
Commenting on the results, Joe Robinson, Head of House Sales and Private Collections, said, “The Collections of Christopher Smallwood and Niall Hobhouse captivated collectors worldwide, with strong bidding throughout the sale reflecting the enduring appeal of provenance, connoisseurship and timeless design. Collectors responded to the dialogue between craftsmanship, architecture and modern taste that defined these remarkable collections. The success of the sale underscores the strength of today’s market for thoughtfully assembled, deeply personal collections, while also introducing a new generation of collectors to works of exceptional quality and character. It was a privilege to present two such individual and influential collecting visions, each shaped over decades with extraordinary care and conviction.”
The Collection of Christopher Smallwood
Eminent architect, Christopher Smallwood possessed a rare ability to balance the demands of the contemporary with a deep sensitivity to tradition. This was an approach which was evident in his homes in Kensington and Dorset. Although he insisted that he was never a collector in the conventional sense, he liked to surround himself with beautiful things. Each piece was selected with deliberation and care, reflecting a lifetime’s engagement with design and the impeccable taste of this conscientious collector.
The Collection of Niall Hobhouse
Influential author and art dealer, Niall Hobhouse used his passion for architecture to shape and curate a distinctive collection which adorned his home and office, The Dairy House on the Hadspen Estate near Bruton. With a dialogue between historical and modern design, the collection told a story of Niall's frequently changing and ever-growing range of interests.
When Niall moved into the Dairy House in 2013, he took with him a few pieces of inherited eighteenth century neo-classical mahogany and mixed them with a distinctive ‘Hobhousian’ mélange of old master and architectural drawings and strikingly progressive contemporary design. Creating – in typical Hobhouse fashion – very personalised and beguiling rooms. Little attempt was made to blend the objects, rather they stood out in strong juxtaposition creating unfamiliar contrasts.
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