The Astor Family at Cliveden House

Cliveden House is world famous for its role in significant moments of British history from the 18th to the 20th centuries, and its association with the leading families of the period. George Granville Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, 2nd Duke of Sutherland, commissioned the architect Charles Barry to adapt Cliveden House into the current Italianate villa in 1851 following a second devastating fire in 1849. The house was sold in 1868 to Hugh Lupus, Earl Grosvenor, later 1st Duke of Westminster, whose descendants subsequently sold the house and estate in 1893 to the American politician, hotelier and philanthropist William Waldorf Astor, later 1st Viscount Astor (1848-1919).

In 1906 William Waldorf Astor gave Cliveden House and its estate to his eldest son, Waldorf Astor, later 2nd Viscount Astor, as wedding gift on his marriage to fellow American born Nancy Witcher Langhorne, along with the 55 carat pale yellow Sancy diamond. Nancy famously became Britain’s first female MP, winning the seat of Plymouth Sutton in a by-election in 1919.

Cliveden was used by Waldorf and Nancy for lavish entertaining, and making the house the destination for politicians, film stars, world leaders, writers and artists, including Charlie Chaplin, Winston Churchill, George Bernard Shaw, Mahatma Gandhi, Franklin D. Roosevelt and many others all attending their weekend house parties. In 1936 the politician Harold Nicolson noted ‘There is a ghastly unreality about it all... I enjoy seeing it. But to own it, to live here, would be like living on the stage of the Scala theatre in Milan.’

In 1942 the Astor family donated Cliveden to the National Trust on the condition that they could continue to live in the house. The National Trust assumed total control of the house and estate in 1966 following the death of Willam (Bill) Astor, 3rd Viscount Astor. The house became a luxury hotel in 1984.

Silver Monteith Bowls

The collection includes two silver Monteith bowls. First introduced in the 17th century, these large bowls with notched edges, were used for cooling wine glasses. The bowl would be filled with cold water, and a glass would then be hung by its foot from a notch, thereby submerging the bowl of the glass and allowing it to cool. Lot 346 is a William III example made in London in 1695. It is beautifully decorated with a scroll border featuring delicate masks. The body is then engraved with an armorial for the Astley family of Melton Constable in Norfolk. In 1660, the family were created baronets of Hill Morton in Warwickshire. Sir Jacob Astley (1640-1729), 1st Baronet would have been the incumbent in 1695.

Works by Jacques-Henri Fauconnier

We then have pieces by prominent silversmith Jacques-Henri Fauconnier (1776-1839). Alongside Jean-Baptiste Odiot, Fauconnier (1776-1839) was one of the foremost silversmiths of the French Empire Style of the early 19^th century. Fauconnier trained with Odiot in Paris and founded his own workshop in 1809, from where he supplied the finest silverware to the cream of French society, including the Dauphin, the Duc d'Angoulême and Madame la Duchesse de Berry. His pieces are in represented in major international collections, including the White House Collection in Washington and the V&A Museum in London.

From this collection we have a set of fourteen French Empire silver plates; as well as a set of four French silver vegetable dishes. Both sets feature the engraved initials 'J.J.A'. These initials are for John Jacob Astor, which possibly belong to John Jacob Astor Senior (Johann Jakob Astor 1763-1848). John Jacob emigrated to America from Germany during the War of Independence (1776-1783) and through his business activities as a fur trader and investor in Real Estate, became the first prominent member of the family and one of the wealthiest men in early 19^th century America.

Other 19^th century members of the family called John Jacob were John Jacob II (John Jacob Junior 1791 -1868); John Jacob Astor III (1822-1890), the American financier and philanthropist, who became a Colonel during the American Civil War; and lastly, John Jacob Astor IV (1864-1912), the American businessman, who was one of the most prominent passengers to perish aboard RMS Titanic on 15 April 1912.

A German Silver Gilt Doppelpokal by Eduard Wollenweber

A fascinating piece from this collection is a German silver gilt Doppelpokal or 'double goblet'. These were traditionally intended as ceremonial gifts, during diplomatic negotiations or at weddings. This example offered here was made by Eduard Wollenweber, the court jeweller to King Ludwig II of Bavaria, who was trading in Munich from 1847-1918. It is engraved around the middle with 'W. W. Astor from Marie' and with the Order of the Queen Marie Cross.

HM Queen Marie (1875-1938) was the wife of King Ferdinand I, and the last Queen of Romania. She befriended Waldorf Astor (1879-1952), later 2nd Viscount Astor, whilst visiting Britain in 1902 for the Coronation of King Edward VII, and they remained lifelong friends.

A French Art Deco Nephrite, Onyx and Diamond Paper Knife

Dating from between 1920-1925, we have a French Art Deco nephrite, onyx and diamond paper knife. This was made by Henri Lavabre, whose workshops at 64 Rue Tiquetonne were one of Cartier's most important manufacturers in the early 20th century. They worked exclusively for Cartier from 1906 - 1921 producing platinum, diamond and gem set jewellery. Lavabre and Cartier continued to collaborate into 1930s, with Lavabre supplying objects of vertu and fantasie, goldworks, enamels and a large portion of the vanity and cigarette cases sold by Cartier in the Art Deco period. The motifs found in this paper knife are very much in the same style as those found in Cartier pieces from this period.

A Trophy Cup and Cover Made for the Doncaster Cup in 1964

Ending the sale, we have a 9 carat gold and green hardstone trophy cup and cover, designed by Reginald Hill and made by C. J. Vander Ltd in London. It was made for the Doncaster Cup in 1964. 

The Doncaster Cup is one of Britain's leading long distance horse races, run over two miles and two furlongs. It was first run in 1766, and is now part of the St Leger Festival. This 1964 gold cup was won by Grey of Falloden, ridden by the jockey Joe Mercer. Grey of Falloden was firstly owned by William Waldorf Astor II, 3rd Viscount Astor, and then by (Herbert) Robin Cayzer, 2nd Baron Rotherwick.

The designer Reginald Hill (1914-1975) was apprenticed to a silversmith and studied at Central School of Arts and Crafts in London in the 1930s, and went on to become one of the most prominent British silver designers of the mid 20th century. As a freelance designer, Reginald Hill was commissioned by companies like Elkington and C. J. Vander, as well as City livery Companies, the Bank of England, Oxford and Cambridge Colleges, public institutions, corporations and private individuals including members of the Royal Family to create works in gold and silver. Alongside his designing career, Hill taught silver design at the Sir John Cass School of Art in London, where his students included Christopher Lawrence and Grant MacDonald, who both went on to become leading silversmiths in their own right in the later part of the twentieth century.

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Auction Details

Auction: 
Tuesday 23 September 2025, 10.30am BST
Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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