From the outset, Vagabond was never intended to be confined to a single period or discipline. Joe's approach has always been led first by the object: its quality, integrity, provenance and, perhaps most importantly, excitement.

As Joe puts it, "A piece can be just slightly different from the norm and suddenly it has that thing, that magic, where you know you have to buy it - otherwise it will haunt you forever. That's what I'm constantly looking for."

This philosophy has shaped both the business and the interiors Joe and his wife Lily have created around them. Practical pieces sit alongside fragments of sculpture, weathered stone, painted furniture, works of art and objects collected simply because they loved them. The result is an intentionally mixed and evolving collection rather than one built around a rigid decorative scheme.

Although Joe continues to buy widely, sculpture has become a particular passion. Marble, stone, terracotta and bronze - polished, fragmented or weathered - remain among the objects he finds most exciting to discover.

Vagabond's beginnings were considerably more modest. Joe started out buying and selling from market stalls and small fairs, learning the trade piece by piece and developing his knowledge through handling, buying and selling objects. Less than a decade later, Vagabond now exhibits at some of the most important fairs in the UK and Europe, including Treasure House in London, BRAFA in Brussels and Frieze Masters in Regent's Park.

That progression has also led Joe into vetting and standards work, bringing his practical, hands-on experience together with the knowledge of curators, scholars and specialists from across the trade. Increasingly, that same experience is applied beyond the gallery through private consultancy, sourcing and interiors projects, working closely with clients in the UK and abroad.

Today, Joe and Lily run Vagabond together from Petworth, while Joe continues to travel regularly through the UK, Italy and France in search of fresh discoveries.

This sale comes at a natural point of change for both the family and the business. Joe and Lily are moving from their current West Sussex home, while Vagabond is also relocating to a new gallery in Petworth. The two moves have provided an opportunity to take stock, edit and begin the next chapter with a little less around them.

After almost ten years of Vagabond, this is not intended as an ending, but rather an edit before the next chapter.

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Auction Details

Tuesday 17 November, 10.30am GMT
Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE

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Viewing at Dreweatts London (highlights): 16-17 Pall Mall, SW1Y 5LU
Saturday 17 October: 12pm-4pm
Sunday 18 October: 12pm-4pm
Monday 19 October: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 20 October: 10am-4pm
Wednesday 21 October: 10am-4pm

Viewing at Dreweatts Newbury: Donnington Priory, RG14 2JE
Saturday 14 November: 10am-3pm
Sunday 15 November: 10am-3pm
Monday 16 November: 10am-4pm
Tuesday 17 November: 9am-1pm

Further information
General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
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