Describing his taste, Guy Tobin says, “My personal taste lends itself to “an anti-decoration, high bohemian flavour… well-worn grandeur, charm, comfort and unexpected contrasts across age, nation and material. Now, as I turn to focus on my advisory business, I am now very excited to share the joy I have always had in objects and the opportunity, for those whose wish to share in it."

Head of House Sales and Private Collections, Joe Robinson describes Tobin’s collection as, “A ‘sweet shop’ filled with many visual treats, a window into his bohemian aesthetic characterised by subtlety, atmosphere and authenticity. All offering buyers a wonderful opportunity to obtain some truly unique pieces that might befit a contemporary space, as much as a more traditional one.”

Auction Highlights

Amongst the auction highlights, there is a carved oak gothic revival library armchair of an impressive scale and incorporating a plethora of typical stylistic elements, including tracery, quatrefoils and spandrels, making it the epitome of neo-gothic architecture in chair form. It comes to the market at a time in interior decoration when the world of gothic is slowly seeing a revival in modern homes as novelty but immensely chic statement pieces.

Also included in the sale is an impressive Victorian satin maple sofa in the ‘Jacobethian’ style, designed by the English architect E.M Barry for the Damask Room at Crewe Hall. Barry was the third son of Sir Charles Barry of Westminster fame and was instructed by Hungerford Crewe, 3^rd Baron Crewe to restore Crewe Hall after a devastating fire in 1866 and the present sofa was a subsequent commission as it was somewhat of a tradition in the 18^th and 19^th centuries for architects to turn their hands at furniture design. Crewe Hall and its interiors were considered some of the architects best works along with the completed of the New Palace of Westminster after the death of his father. The sofa would then pass by decent to the 1^st Marquess of Crewe.

Modern design is represented in the form of a pair of blue painted model 1459 armchairs created circa 1935 and likely manufactured by Fritz Hansen. Fritz Hansen was founded in 1872, when Fritz Hansen, a Danish carpenter, founded his own furniture company and in 1915 introduced his first chair in steam bent wood. In 1934, Fritz Hansen began his collaboration with Arne Jacobsen resulting in some of the famous, classic icons of Danish Design including the 'Ant' (1952), the 'Series 7' (1955), the 'Grand Prix' (1957) the 'Swan' (1958), and the 'Egg' (1958).

For the more decorative collector or interior enthusiast there are many objects to suit every budget and aesthetic! From a pair of rope and vellum wall lanterns by Audoux Minet, a pink ceramic table lamp by Jacques and Dani Ruelland or a mid 20^th century Burr wood occasional table, to a pair of Franco-Prussian lamps constructed out of bayonetted parts, and an Austrian inlaid ‘Gypsy’ table by Franz Wiesauer bearing the coat of arms and motto for Clan Stewart.

Auction Details

Tuesday 7 January, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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