Timeless elegance and contemporary flair

The sale includes furniture and decorative objects from many of the UK's celebrated design figures. Amongst these items is Lot 71, a cream, red and green floral carpet designed by Scottish interior designer Hugh Henry (b. 1947), for interior decorator David Mlinaric (1939), a partnership that has spanned decades and included projects around the globe. This vibrant carpet features a border of leaves around a trailing pink and dotted design. In its interior setting it was paired with a modern metal occasional table (Lot 69), and a late 19th century Victorian walnut armchair, upholstered in an Indian style fabric with a matching cushion (Lot 70).⁠

Pieces supplied by Robert Kime

The auction also includes a number of items supplied by the late celebrated designer Robert Kime, including a late Victorian rosewood writing table with a dark blue and leather inset top (Lot 68); a folding triptych fire screen (Lot 53); a brass student lamp by Kime with a printed paper shade (Lot 158); and a group of three window seat cushions and a set of cushions in an Indian pattern of scattered flowers (Lot 134). There is also a beautiful 20^th century north west Persian Tabriz carpet sourced by Kime (Lot 166). Robert Kime was known for his love of textiles and rugs. He once said, "We use rugs to manage scale and create an atmosphere of comfort and colour. This is always the most important quality in any project. When we set off to begin any design project, we invariably start with the rug. Rugs give so much direction to what will happen in a room as we begin to develop the rest of it - from wall colour to fabrics, antiques to lighting." 

Modern bronze sculptures

There is also a wonderful selection of sculpture and artwork, including bronze works such as Lot 37, Asian Rhino by Annette 'Nettie' Lynton Mason (b. 1953), the actress and producer, married to Nick Mason CBE, drummer and founder member of Pink Floyd. The couple support various charities, including the Wiltshire Air Ambulance and the Wiltshire Bobby Van Trust. It is thought that this animalier bronze was made to raise money for Rhino Rescue. Annette studied under the internationally acclaimed wildlife sculptor Mark Coreth (b. 1958) to complete the piece at the Cowdray Masterclass in 2004.

A maquette for the larger version of a work titled Still Water that was first installed at Marble Arch and is now housed at the Daylesford home of Lord and Lady Bamford, is a highlight of the sale. The work (Lot 32) is by the British sculptor Nic Fiddian-Green (born 1963), who specialises in creating realistic depictions of both smaller and larger than life-sized models of horses’ heads.

Royal Interest

For royal fans, there are a number of items which have passed from H.R.H Princess Margaret's collection at Kensington Palace. A particularly smart piece is Lot 143, an early George III sabicu Pembroke table dating from circa 1760 that was once housed at Kensington Palace. It is attributed to the cabinet maker Henry Hill of Marlborough, who also traded as an auctioneer, coach-maker and representative of the Sun Insurance Company in Marlborough from about 1740 until his death in 1778. He was well known for supplying furniture to the Wiltshire aristocracy. Inside, a paper label reads, ‘Pembroke table, Kensington palace, 1967.’ Highly decorative, the top and flaps sport distinctive lozenge geometric veneering. A frieze drawer and chamfered square legs, with blind fret decoration completes the overall look. 

Other objects that have passed from H. R. H. Princess Margaret’s collection at Kensington Palace are her brown leather riding boots by Royal equestrian boot makers, Maxwell of London. Both H. R. H. Princess Margaret and H. R .H Queen Elizabeth II were keen riders all of their lives, having started riding lessons very young, with Horace and Sybil Smith at the internationally renowned Cadogan Riding School in Belgravia, London. The blocks are stamped: 'H.R.H. Princess Margaret' and are accompanied by cases and boot pulls, as well as a collection of riding crops.

Among the fine art in the sale, is a preliminary sketch of Prince Augustus Frederick, the 8th Duke of Sussex, for an oil painting now in the Royal Collection (Lot 34). The painting is currently hanging on the grand staircase at Buckingham Palace and was presented to Queen Victoria by the sitter.

Among many affordable items in the collection is Lot 55, an interesting study in watercolour and pencil for the Coronation Chair, which is an ancient wooden chair that British monarchs sit on during their coronations. It was commissioned in 1296 by King Edward I to hold the ‘Stone of Scone’, which he had captured from the Scots. The chair was named after Edward the Confessor and until 1997 it was held in his shrine at Westminster Abbey.

Commenting on the collection, Joe Robinson, Head of House Sales & Private Collections, said, “The collection includes pieces supplied by many of the UK’s renowned design figures and companies such as Hugh Henry, David Mlinaric, Robert Kime and Rita Konig which all points towards a vibrant mise en scène, designed for comfort and good living.”

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Auction Details

Tuesday 9 April, 10.30am BST
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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