The Collection of Baroness Rawlings

The auction will start with the distinguished collection of Baroness Patricia Elizabeth Rawlings, Conservative Peer and former Member of the European Parliament. The collection from Patricia's Eaton Square flat offers art, furniture, and decorative objects from across the globe which is a reflection of her refined cosmopolitan taste, highlighting her profound appreciation for art and history. As a former President of the British Antique Dealers’ Association, she acquired pieces with an expert eye and a passion for their artistic and historical significance.

Reflecting on the sale, Baroness Rawlings said, “This collection represents my lifelong passion for discovering works of beauty and significance. Parting with these treasures is bittersweet, but I hope their new owners will cherish them as much as I have.”

Lady Rawlings has curated a collection that is diverse and varied, but also incredibly synergistic. Hailing from different continents and eras, the constituent pieces bear testament to the manner in which artistic styles and techniques have evolved across the globe through cross-cultural exchange. Highlights from the collection include several watercolours by Marie Laurencin, a striking abstract bronze titled Magnette for the Trigons, 1961 by British sculptor Lynn Chadwick, lithographs from Marc Chagall's Exodus, as well as a selection of oil paintings by Vietnamese artist Vũ Cao Đàm. From the selection of period furniture, there is an exquisitely carved giltwood console table in continental 18th century style.

Adlington Hall, Cheshire

Adlington Hall was built between 1480-1505 by the Legh family, who inherited the estate in the early 14th century. Over the past 700 years, successive generations of the Legh family have accumulated a remarkable collection of portraiture, furniture, and objects of vertu, forming the quintessential country house collection.

Commenting on the collection, Head of the House Sales and Private Collections Department, Joe Robinson said, “Adlington Hall is a treasure trove of English history and patronage, its rooms having been adorned for centuries by artworks from the very best artists and artisans of their day. We at Dreweatts are proud to be handling the historically significant collection of this most beloved country house”.   

Among the highlights is a rare series of estate portraits by Thomas Bardwell, commissioned by Charles Legh; a large scale portrait of Letitia Isabella Smith, Countess of Radnor, attributed to Mary Beale, one of the great portraitists of the 17th century; and works by artists including John Souch, Thomas Hudson, Petrus Johannes van Reysschoot, John Opie, and Wilfrid de Glehn. Other highlights include a Charles II silvered and carved wood cabinet stand dating from around 1670, and an unusual pair of Tibetan-style Chinese aubergine glazed ewers. Reflecting Adlington's more recent history as a family home, we have an Austin 'Junior 40' child's pedal car.

Auction Details

Wednesday 22 January 2025, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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