Cairness House, Aberdeenshire

Cairness House is an immensely romantic and important house in the history of Neo-classicism in Scotland. The brainchild of the pre-eminent Scottish architect, James Playfair, it represents a rare landmark in Playfair’s design legacy. After purchasing the house in 2000 its former owners undertook an immense restoration project, enlivening Cairness’ interiors and taking them back to something of their original splendour; winning the Georgian Group Architectural Award for ‘Best Restoration of a Georgian Country House in Britain’ in 2009.

The collection, which has been beautifully framed by its sublime interiors, has been expertly brought together with a trove of important works led by portraits of the Duke of York by Sir Thomas Lawrence and Mrs William Colquhoun of Wrotham by Francis Cotes. These works are allied with items of great provenance such as a 17^th century Flemish tapestry from Monymusk House and a bust of Lord Castlereagh by Sir Francis Chantrey from Londonderry House. Each object tells the tale of exceptional knowledge and attention to detail.

A Historic Townhouse on Wimpole Street, London

A long hidden family collection from one of the most perfectly preserved Georgian townhouses in London on historic Wimpole Street in Marylebone is a rare survival with its imposing Adam period neo-classical interiors uncorrupted by the sweeping changes of later periods and retaining its imposing formal rooms and lofty halls  Its shuttered atmospheric cellars, once a regular secret underground escape route for the young Sir Paul McCartney, still remain untouched for almost 100 years and exude the nostalgia of a bygone world and are sure to capture the imagination of many a collector.

The collection, carefully displayed within the magnificent period rooms, has been meticulously curated, showing astute interests driven by a clear academic curiosity fused with the desire for comfortable living and decorative pleasure. 

Numerous themes are woven into the fabric of the collection from a group of historic British portraits by the 18th century’s pre-eminent artists including Sir Joshua Reynolds, Allan Ramsay and Sir John Hoppner and a roll call of the greatest furniture makers including both Thomas Chippendale and Thomas Chippendale Jr., royal cabinet makers Mayhew & Ince and Gillows. All are bolstered by exceptional provenances drawn from England’s most illustrious stately homes, from Badminton House, Clumber Park to Dyrham Park and finally Windsor Castle and Stourhead. Particular highlights include an exceptionally rare set of six giltwood chairs from the fabled Brocket Hall suite - a commission by Thomas Chippendale for the former Prime Minister, Lord Melbourne and his scandalous wife, for the Saloon of Brocket Hall, circa 1773; as well as an enigmatic portrait of the great naval hero Admiral Boscawen by Allan Ramsay painted for the 5th Duke of Beaufort; and wistful portraits of the beautiful Countess of Mansfield, a chatelaine of Kenwood House and her husband by Hoppner.

Auction Details

Wednesday 31 January, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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