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Auction Results | The Distinguished Collections of the late Sir David Seton & Lady Wills, and of the late Ann Marks | 3 March 2026
On Tuesday 3 March, Dreweatts was pleased to offer two distinguished collections. Firstly, we had the collection of the late Sir David Seton & Lady Wills, followed by works from the collection of the late Ann Marks.
Though distinct and deeply personal, each collection possessed a compelling identity. What united them was a defining sensibility - reflections of lives thoughtfully lived. Formed with discernment and quiet confidence, shaped by instinct and restraint, they evoked the grandeur and joy of traditional country house collecting.
These narratives captured the imagination of bidders worldwide, prompting competitive bidding across the diverse collecting categories - from furniture and works of art to fine art and portraiture. This led to strong results, with the auctions totalling £959,000, achieving 143% above the pre-sale estimates, with a 92% sell-through rate.
Commenting on the results, Head of House Sales and Private Collections, Joe Robinson said, “The sale brought together two remarkable collections , each assembled over a lifetime and shaped by a profound sense of stewardship and individuality. The collections reflected lives lived with warmth, generosity and discernment, and an approach to ownership rooted in responsibility, quiet confidence and a deeply personal sense of style. We were delighted to see such strong results achieved across both collections, with spirited bidding from a truly global cohort of buyers.”
Here we take a look at highlights from the collections.
The Collection of the late Sir David Seton & Lady Wills
The Wills family legacy was a name that for generations had been associated with W.D. & H.O. Wills and the development of Imperial Tobacco. When Sir David succeeded to the baronetcy in 1983, he assumed responsibility for the family’s business interests, as well as its land and collection at Littlecote, near Hungerford. Following the sale of the Littlecote House in 1985, and their move to Tower House, what Sir David and Lady Wills retained was not merely preserved but carefully and deliberately expanded. Scottish furniture, often restrained and thoughtful, sat naturally alongside English, continental and global works, creating a harmony that felt lived-in rather than designed.
Works from the Collection of the late Ann Marks, from Hamill Farm
In 1963, Ann discovered Hammill Farm, a neglected Queen Anne house near Eastry in East Kent, built in 1715. With patience and vision, she restored and furnished it into a deeply personal home. Her taste was gentle, feminine, and thoughtful, combining locally sourced domestic pieces with grander works inherited from her family and the estate of her parents-in-law, Sir Simon and Lady Miriam Marks of the Marks & Spencers dynasty.
Find out more
The Collection of the late Sir David Seton & Lady Wills | View Auction Results
Works from the Collection of the late Ann Marks, from Hamill Farm | View Auction Results
We have an exciting auction calendar throughout the year for house sales, private collections and all specialists categories. If you would like more information, whether it be for jewellery, watches, wine, modern art and design, Old Masters, a private collection or anything else we would love to hear from you:
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