The celebrated family home of James and Sophie Perkins, which recently achieved the global accolade of ‘Best Venue’ and has played host to celebrities from the music, film and fashion worlds, is set to draw world-wide interest. 

The Aynhoe Park Estate has been the project of businessman and entrepreneur James Perkins and his wife Sophie. Their passion for restoration and collecting is evident throughout its’ carefully-curated rooms. Over the last two decades, James has been responsible for large-scale restorations at prestigious historic buildings across the country. A number of his projects, including Aynhoe Park, have been recognised for their innovation, sensitivity and architectural ambition.

On purchasing the property in 2006 James set about combining 21^st Century living with architectural integrity, a responsibility that he felt was important to the legacy of the house. The restoration is now complete. Aynhoe Park was remodelled by the eminent Baroque architect Thomas Archer (1668-1743) who created adjoining wings to form the dramatic forecourt to the North façade.

However, the interiors at Aynhoe Park were laid out in c. 1800 by Sir John Soane (1753-1837), for William Ralph Cartwright (1771-1847). Soane added grand arch screens, linking the house to Thomas Archer’s newly created wings. The estate was to remain in the Cartwright family for many years. 

Hard to believe that it could be in such a state now, when one is transported around the world via artworks, books, sculpture, furniture, taxidermy, modern design and curiosities such as a triceratops skull and an Orient Express trunk! The interiors contain a mix of periods, styles and textures, which are simply breath-taking, as you step through what feels like a museum crossed with a fantasy world.

Born out of a passion for the architectural and a desire for capturing historic buildings, James Perkins has been a visionary in sourcing plasterwork from iconic museums and has amassed a collection comprising of almost 4,500 pieces, known to be the largest in private hands. Many works added to the collection over a period of 25 years will be offered in the sale.

Commenting on the upcoming auction, Joe Robinson, Head of Sale, says: “This is a truly distinctive collection, unapologetic for its eclecticism and range and emblematic of a life’s enthusiasm for the architectural, the intriguing and the quirky.”

Describing the sale and James’ collection, Will Richards, Deputy Chairman of Dreweatts said: “Aynhoe Park really is an Aladdin’s cave of beautifully-chosen works, from the academic to the more eclectic and from the ancient to the contemporary. Appropriately titled The Celebration of A Modern Grand Tour is the realisation of a lifetime’s passion and a contemporary take on a tradition that would have been originally reserved for the upper echelons of society. 

However at Aynhoe this fascinating collection is available to all and we are delighted to be presenting the sale, reinforcing our position as leaders in handling single owner collections. In line with James’, Sophies’ and Dreweatts’ pioneering spirit it may also be the first ever ‘virtual’ house sale!’’

Talking about Aynhoe Park and the auction, James said: “Aynhoe Park is evocative of the modern Grand Tour, hence the auction title. It is furnished with a collection of iconic objects and curiosities from our travels across the globe. It has been my passion, as well as a family home. We have enjoyed carrying on the tradition of Aynhoe Park by sharing and hosting our home with the most respected people from the world of business, film, fashion, art and music.”

The sale represents a celebration and culmination of memories, before moving on to other projects, namely the restoration of Parham Park in Dorset”. 

Whilst still remaining involved with Aynhoe Park, James and Sophie are delighted to announce they will be working on this new business venture with the esteemed architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick. 

Among the highlights in the sale are conceptual works created by James Perkins, a highly rated designer and artist in his own right. Amongst his creations is the original The Aynhoe Moon Painting influenced by the clear nights at Aynho, the famous, ‘flying giraffe’ from the Orangery at Aynhoe Park and the giant bird’s nest with the golden egg. James’ designs are at the heart of the Aynhoe Park brand and have become collectors’ items in their own right. 

Born out of a passion for the architectural and a desire for capturing historic buildings, James has been a visionary in sourcing plasterwork from iconic museums and has amassed a collection comprising of almost 4,500 pieces, known to be the largest in private hands. The sale will feature some of the key pieces from this impressive assemblage including a huge plaster cast of a section from the Erechteion, Athens (on the north side of the Acropolis). From the 20th century after the antique, it shows two caryatids supporting the entablature, raised on an egg-and-dart moulded plinth. It is estimated to fetch £

An unusual continental carved limed-oak and marble-topped pier table in mid-8th century style, features a marble top above a naturalistic tree-work base, with a standing ostrich. It is estimated to fetch £

James’ beloved grand red leather high-backed armchair, which is believed to have belonged to a judge with the letters E.R. in gilt on the back and stamped underneath with the letters G. Stone Ltd, July 1968 A.D. It is estimated to fetch £

A fabulous 1959 Le Mans tribute half-scale model of the winning Aston Martin DBR1 is included in the sale. The static model of the car was created to commemorate the victory by Roy Salvadori and Carroll Shelby at the 24-hour race! It is currently in the library at Aynhoe Park. 

The kit was produced by Ant Anstead (B. 1979) and the Evanta Motor Company in Hertfordshire and comprises a fibre-glass body shell with plastic windscreen, chromed spoked fixed wheels with spinners fitted with Innovar pneumatic tyres. It has the cockpit with two seats, a dashboard with dummy instrument panel and a steering wheel, with the bodywork finished in Aston Martin Californian Sage Green. It also bears the number '5' race roundel with drivers' details to each side. It is sure to be a winner for any car or racing enthusiast! It estimated to fetch £

A highly decorative Victorian gothic revival four poster bed dating from circa 1860 features arches and crenalations (emulating the pattern of a wall around the top of a castle that has gaps for people to shoot from inside the castle). It is supported by the four posts and a surrounding the base. It is estimated to fetch £

An early 20^th century English School oil painting continues the theme of unicorns with one as the central subject, surrounded by other animals in a wooded landscape. The work features the Aynhoe Park coat of arms. It is estimated to fetch £

AUCTION DETAILS
Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 January 2021
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

These are live online auctions with an auctioneer. 

VIEWING:

• Viewing at Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire from 13-19 January
• Dreweatts Remote Viewing Service | Find out more
• Dreweatts 360 Virtual Auction Tour | Take your virtual tour
• Condition reports can be provided upon request.

Catalogue coming soon!