FEATURED: THE WHITEHOUSE SALE - ANTIQUES & RECLAMATION


April 2025

The Complete Retirement Collection of Graham Hood Architectural Antiques & Reclamation

This May, prepare to be inspired by a truly distinctive auction event: The White House Sale: Antiques & Reclamation - taking place online only, ending at 5PM on Sunday 11th May. Timed to coincide with the height of spring, when homes and gardens alike are ready for renewal, this carefully curated sale presents a rich array of treasures designed to bring heritage, style and individuality into your space.

Featuring a handpicked selection of timeless furniture, decorative curiosities, architectural salvage, and garden ornamentation, the sale is set to capture the imagination of collectors, interior designers, trade buyers and lovers of the unusual. Each lot has been chosen not just for its quality, but for its character - with many items boasting provenance, patina and personality that simply cannot be found in contemporary alternatives.

The White House Sale marks a special moment in the antiques world, as it offers a one-time opportunity to acquire pieces from the collection of Graham Hood, a well-regarded dealer known for his discerning eye and love of objects with story and soul.

Based in North Yorkshire, Graham Hood has spent years building a loyal following through his distinctive approach to antiques - blending rustic charm, architectural interest and refined design with ease. As he now steps back from the trade, this sale represents the closing chapter of a much-admired career, with a broad and beautifully curated selection of furniture, salvage and decorative items from his collection.

Antique and Reclaimed Furniture

The heart of this sale lies in its carefully selected offering of antique and reclaimed furniture - each piece brimming with patina, provenance and character that simply cannot be replicated in modern manufacturing. These are items that have lived through generations, developing the kind of surface wear and subtle detailing that only time and quality craftsmanship can create.

From stately Georgian chests and glazed cabinets to well-worn farmhouse tables, elegant Victorian sideboards, and robust mid-century workhorses, this sale brings together a cross-section of functional history. Many of these pieces once graced manor houses, workshops and traditional country homes, and they now offer a rare opportunity to own furniture that tells a story through every dent, joint and grain.

Whether you're sourcing statement furniture for a renovation project, seeking out a unique piece to complete a room, or furnishing a commercial interior with soul and authenticity, the furniture in this auction offers substance, style and sustainability in equal measure. This is where design, utility and historical interest collide - making each lot a genuine one-off.

Above Left to Right
Lot 2 - Large mahogany haberdashery cabinet shop fitting, Lot 13 - Late Victorian country house pine dresser & Lot 219 - Early 20th century baker's table with beech top and ten legs.

Garden Staturary & Ornaments

As the days grow longer and warmer, our attention naturally turns to the outdoors - and what better way to create a space full of atmosphere than with carefully chosen pieces of garden statuary and ornamentation.

Our selection brings scale, texture and character in abundance, offering everything from weathered stone urns and classical figures to wrought iron benches and vintage lanterns. These items not only enhance the aesthetic of your garden, but also tell a story - often salvaged from period homes and historic properties, each piece has a provenance and a charm that simply can’t be found in contemporary garden centres.

Whether you're designing a tranquil courtyard retreat, restoring the grounds of a country home or adding focal points to a more modern space, these pieces offer enduring beauty and architectural interest. Timeless and tactile, they help to root a garden in tradition while lending it depth, structure and soul. With items ranging from the whimsical to the monumental, this is a rare opportunity to acquire features that turn outdoor spaces into something truly memorable.

Above Left to Right
Lot 298 - Victorian painted terracotta garden gnome, Lot 19 - Victorian cast iron conservatory table & Lot 188 - Pair of Victorian copper street lanterns.

Decorative Antiques

From statement mirrors and vintage oil lamps to rare advertising signage, ornate metalware, and beautifully patinated curiosities, the decorative section of the sale is where heritage and style truly meet. These are the pieces that bring life to a space – the finishing touches that don’t just complement a room, but define it.

What sets this collection apart is its sense of personality. Many of these items once adorned historic interiors, from country houses to traditional shopfronts, and now offer an exciting opportunity to bring that same sense of character into your own space. Whether it’s a distressed Victorian overmantel mirror with gilded detailing, a hand-painted shop sign, or an antique glass oil lamp with a warm, nostalgic glow, these are decorative elements that speak volumes.

This part of the sale is particularly rewarding for interior designers, stylists and collectors who know that the right antique can completely transform a room. Rich in texture and full of charm, these pieces don’t just furnish a space — they tell a story, and they invite conversation. With a wide range of styles and eras represented, it’s a treasure trove for those who love the eclectic, the elegant and the unexpected.

Above Left to Right
Lot 3 - Reverse-painted glass advertising sign for George Ellis Dewsbury Ltd, Lot 10 - Distressed Victorian parcel gilt andebonised overmantel mirror & Lot 26 - Victorian penny-in-the-slot Polyphone.

Collectables with Story & Soul 

This auction is rich in pieces that offer both curiosity and collectibility, with a selection of objects that speak to the imagination as much as they do to the collector’s eye. These are the pieces that invite a closer look - the unusual, the unexpected, and the undeniably intriguing.

From vintage paraffin rail and road lamps and industrial lighting to rare oil cans, nautical artefacts, and early mechanical devices, these lots capture the spirit of a bygone era. They are items with real presence - often overlooked in traditional interiors but increasingly prized for their ability to inject character, authenticity and a touch of whimsy into any setting.

Perfect for collectors of niche interests, lovers of steampunk, or interior designers seeking to create layered, storied spaces, these objects are far more than decorative. They reflect the culture, craft and ingenuity of the past, and offer a tactile connection to history that modern reproductions simply can't deliver.

Whether it’s a Nuremburg-type Armada chest with its richly aged surface, or a set of mid-century railway lamps ready to be repurposed as conversation-starting lighting features, this section is about discovery and delight. It’s a cabinet of curiosities in auction form - and you never know what gem you might unearth.

Above Left to Right
Lot 27 - Group of nine rail / road work paraffin lamps, Lot 119 - Shell lubricants & BP oil pourers together with Shell X-100 oil pourers and Shell motor oil tins & Lot 43 - Esso double sided glass petrol pump advertising globe

This is more than an auction - it’s a celebration of a remarkable career, as well as an opportunity to discover, learn and invest in pieces with genuine heritage. Whether you're furnishing a period property, searching for stock for your shop, or simply curious, The White House Sale offers variety, value and one-of-a-kind character.

The auction takes place online only and ends at 5PM Sunday 11 May. Browse the catalogue and place your bids now.
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