Results: The Country House Sale


December 2025

Last week’s Country House Sale delivered an exceptional set of results, with strong bidding across furniture, fine art and decorative pieces from notable private collections. The sale reflected the enduring appeal of craftsmanship, heritage and provenance, bringing together works by celebrated Yorkshire makers, distinguished British artists and objects with international cultural significance.

Yorkshire Craftsmanship: Mouseman Masterpieces: 

Yorkshire craftsmanship remains one of the most confidently supported areas of the market, and this sale confirmed the continuing strength of Robert Thompson’s Mouseman workshop. The top Mouseman result was a superb oak 8 day grandmother clock, featuring a high quality Sinclair and Harding movement and the distinct carved mouse signature arching over the case. With its visible brass cased weights and cylindrical pendulum, it sold for £7,800, underlining the appetite for early Mouseman clocks. Also drawing strong interest was a Mouseman figured oak 5 ft refectory dining table, the burr figured rectangular top raised on chamfered octagonal supports and united by a stretcher, with the signature mouse carved to one leg. A versatile and characterful dining piece, it achieved £4,000. A matching set of eight Mouseman oak dining chairs, with carved lattice backs, leather seats and octagonal supports, completed the trio. Bearing the unmistakable signature mouse, the set sold for £4,600, reinforcing the enduring appeal of Kilburn workshop furniture for both collectors and interior buyers.

Pictures with Provenance

Three very different artworks stood out for their quality and character, as well as the stories behind them. A beautifully handled 1937 watercolour by Sir William Russell Flint, The Interrupted Reader, achieved £6,200. Flint’s distinctive combination of controlled draughtsmanship and fluid washes has long placed him among the most collected British watercolourists, and this example, with Fine Art Society label verso, displayed his characteristic poise and atmosphere. Equally captivating was a pair of late eighteenth century pastel portraits of Henry Chichester and his wife Elizabeth, from one of Devon’s long established gentry families. With provenance by family descent from the Chichesters of Arlington Court, and retaining their oval gilt frames, the pair realised £2,000. The portraits carried a narrative of lineage, estate inheritance and centuries of collecting, adding layers of context beyond their delicate execution. Completing this trio was Frederick Morgan’s large oil Father and Daughter Returned from the Hunt, a warm and sentimental domestic genre scene that sold for £1,900. Morgan’s work remains admired for its storytelling and gentle charm, making this a pleasing result for an artist so closely associated with Victorian pictorial tradition.

Asian Decorative Arts: Craft, Ceremony and Symbolism

Asian pieces continue to perform strongly, particularly those with imperial or ceremonial associations. A fine Japanese Meiji period lacquerware box, decorated with the Chrysanthemum Seal and bearing a note attributing it as a gift from Prince Fushimi in 1907, achieved £2,900. Its maki e decoration and nashiji interior reflected the refined craftsmanship of the period, while the personal connection to the Japanese imperial family added further desirability. Also selling for £2,500 was a Meiji period inro by Minsetsusai Kyuho, decorated with a peacock in rich gold lacquer. Signed with kakihan and accompanied by scholarly references, the piece exemplified the elegance and technical skill of lacquer artists working at a time when inro remained essential accessories for formal dress. Completing this section was an eighteenth century Chinese blue and white meiping vase, decorated with deer in a landscape, which realised £2,900. Its balanced shape, refined brushwork and timeless palette made it a strong example of Qing decorative porcelain.

Opulence and Ornament: Luxury for the Country House

The final trio were united by their decorative presence and the quality of their materials, each reflecting the grandeur and architectural harmony of traditional country house interiors. The standout result came from a pair of George III ormolu and cut glass wall lights, which soared to £14,500. Their tall urn finials, faceted spires and cascades of drops and pendants captured the Georgian fascination with light, reflection and gilded splendour. A George III Chippendale design carved giltwood mirror, complete with pierced pediment, acanthus swags and original mercury plate, also performed strongly at £3,200. With its architectural inner frame and crisp carving, it epitomised the elegance and drama associated with the Chippendale aesthetic. Lastly, an Edwardian silver cigar box by Horton and Allday, with lion mask ring handles and wood lined interior, fetched £2,700. Combining practicality with ornamental appeal, the box illustrated how even functional items were designed with an eye to luxury and refinement.
The strong results in this Country House Sale highlight the continuing demand for quality pieces with craftsmanship, provenance and decorative presence. As we look ahead to next year, we are now inviting entries for our 2026 The Period Home and Country Living Sales, which will feature everything from traditional furniture and folk art to architectural elements, garden pieces and the characterful objects that bring historic homes to life. Whether you are considering the sale of a single item or the contents of an entire property, our specialists offer confidential advice, home visits and complimentary valuations.

To discuss consigning to one of next year’s dedicated sales, please click below. We would be delighted to assist.
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