Classic Country Style Takes the Spotlight


April 2026

Our latest Country Living sale proved a resounding success, drawing enthusiastic bidding from start to finish and delivering a series of impressive results. Buyers responded particularly well to pieces that embodied classic country style, with strong competition across furniture, paintings and decorative works. Here, we take a closer look at some of our favourite results from the sale.


Furniture Highlights


The furniture section was led by an impressive Country House 12ft oak and fruitwood refectory dining table, which realised £3,400. Combining scale, craftsmanship and a rich, time-softened patina, it proved a quintessential example of the enduring appeal of country house dining furniture.

Also among the highlights, a stunning Late Victorian Jacobean Revival oak fire surround with overmantel achieved £1,800. Exceptionally carved with scrolling acanthus and stylised marine ornament, this architectural piece brought both drama and refinement, attracting considerable competition.

A George III mahogany framed three seater settee performed equally well at £1,500. Elegant in proportion and upholstered in richly patterned damask, it exemplified the continued demand for comfortable yet historically grounded seating.
Elsewhere, strong prices were achieved throughout the category. A set of ten oak high back dining chairs realised £1,800, while an early 20th century oak refectory table brought £1,600, and a further 20th century example achieved £1,400. Additional notable results included an And So To Bed super king sleigh bed at £1,500, a 19th century pitch pine barrel back settle at £900, and a George III oak dresser base at £800, all underscoring the sustained appetite for well-made, practical country furniture.


Art Highlights


The pictures section was headed by Alfred Morris', Sheep and Sheepdogs on a Clifftop, which sold for £1,600. This substantial and atmospheric 1881 composition perfectly encapsulated the pastoral themes that continue to resonate so strongly with buyers.

Also featured is the Circle of John Nost Sartorius, Making the Jump, achieving £800, alongside J E M’s Portrait of a Bay Hunter in a Stable Setting at £750. These works reflect the ongoing popularity of equestrian and sporting subjects within the country tradition.
Further interest was seen in James Townsend’s Through the Cottage Door at £600, William Pitt’s East Hendred Berkshire at £480, and an English School still life of flowers at £460. Across the section, bidders demonstrated a clear preference for paintings combining decorative appeal with recognisable rural subject matter.


Decorative Highlights


Decorative works provided both variety and character, led by a pair of early 20th century Neoclassical lamp bases in gilt bronze and alabaster, which achieved £600. Their finely cast figural decoration and classical inspiration made them particularly desirable statement pieces.

Belinda Sillars’ bronze retriever, Bosun, realised £420, reflecting the continuing appeal of animal sculpture within country interiors.

Ceramics were well represented by the illustrated mid 19th century Minton New Stone dinner service, selling for £400.

Characterful Highlights


The sale also featured a number of distinctive and characterful pieces that achieved particularly strong results and contributed to its overall success.

An outstanding late Victorian Aesthetic Movement snooker table realised £1,300. Of impressive scale and craftsmanship, it attracted significant attention and demonstrated the continued demand for statement pieces with both presence and provenance.

Architectural works proved especially successful. An 18th-century hand-painted wooden church panel depicting the Royal Coat of Arms achieved £1,500, while a quantity of early ecclesiastical architectural oak carvings sold for £1,100, both exceeding expectations. Rich in history, texture and decorative appeal, these pieces resonated strongly with buyers seeking authentic architectural elements for interior settings.

Natural history pieces also contributed to the breadth of the offering, with a White-tailed Deer stag shoulder mount realising £240, and a cased diorama featuring Red Grouse, Northern Lapwing and White Throated Dipper achieving £170.

A Sale Defined by Taste and Tradition


As a whole, the sale delivered an excellent series of results and reaffirmed the strong appeal of country taste and style. From substantial refectory tables and period seating to sporting paintings and a wide range of decorative and characterful objects, buyers responded strongly to quality, authenticity and craftsmanship.

The breadth of strong results across the auction was particularly encouraging, with sustained interest in pieces offering both visual impact and practical appeal. The sale demonstrated a continued appetite for items that bring warmth, individuality and a sense of history to interior spaces. Explore the full list of results here.


We are always pleased to consider further entries for future Country Living sales, and would be delighted to hear from those considering the sale of individual pieces or entire collections. For a complimentary valuation, our specialists are on hand to offer advice and guidance in confidence.
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