Results: The Residual Contents of Copgrove Hall

In a remarkable event that captivated collectors and history enthusiasts alike, the auction of Copgrove Hall’s contents, on Friday 18th October, delivered stunning results. Since its acquisition by Guy Reed in 1969, Copgrove Hall has been a symbol of Yorkshire’s heritage, housing a rich collection of fine furniture, artworks, silver and objets d'art. The sale not only featured these extraordinary pieces but also included select items from the original collection of Nidd Hall, adding even more historical significance to the auction. 

Discover how this unique opportunity at Duggleby Stephenson of York allowed bidders to own a part of this prestigious estate’s timeless legacy. Carry on reading to discover the highlights from this sale.

Sale Highlights

_{Above: Lot 173.}

One of the standout highlights of the auction was Lot: 173. An exquisite piece of craftsmanship by none other than Robert "Mouseman" Thompson, renowned for his signature carved mouse. This circa 1920s adzed oak settle, or bench, stole the spotlight with its intricate details, from the four-panel back to the plank seat resting on unique shaped end supports. What truly set it apart was the cresting rail, inscribed with the thoughtful phrase "Before Honour is Humility" and adorned with striking grotesque mask terminals. A true masterpiece of Thompson's Kilburn workshop, this bench sold for £8,000.

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 106, Lot 107, Lot 94 and Lot 206.}

Lot Number: 106
English School (Mid-19th century): 'Three Prize Pigs', oil on canvas, unsigned, inscribed 'These three pigs took first prize at Birmingham ... 1860, pigs were bred by Sir G O Wombwell and sold for £39...'. Undated, c. 1860. Dimensions: 54cm x 73cm.
Notes: Sir George Orby Wombwell, 4th Baronet (1832-1913) (Newburgh Priory, Coxwold, York, North Yorkshire) fought in the Crimean War (1853-1856) and participated in the Charge of the Light Brigade, inheriting his title in 1855. In 1861, he served as High Sheriff of Yorkshire. Sold For: £5,200.

Lot Number: 107
Harry Hall (British, 1815-1882): 'Adventurer', a Dark Bay Racehorse Standing in a Farmyard, oil on canvas, signed and dated 1882. Dimensions: 70cm x 90cm.
Notes: Adventurer was one of Newminster's sons and a well-respected racehorse in the late 19th century; after retirement, he became a successful stallion himself. Sold For: £2,300.

Lot Number: 94
After Isidore Jules Bonheur (1827-1901): Large bronze of a racehorse 'Jongleur' with his jockey Edgar Rolfe on a naturalistic rectangular base. Dimensions: 56cm x 60cm. Sold For: £1,400.

Lot Number: 206
Possibly Gillows - 19th century rosewood tripod table, circular tilt-top with gadroon carved edge, turned column with lobed bands and curled acanthus leaf carved baluster, three out-splayed supports with shell carved knees and scaled ball and claw feet.
Provenance: Nidd Hall; acquired by Guy Reed from Richard Butler, 17th Viscount Mountgarret, in 1968. Sold For: £1,700.

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 203, Lot 207, Lot 185 and Lot 224.}

Lot Number: 203
Large early 20th century French gilt metal mounted vitrine, serpentine and bombe form, featuring a C-scroll pediment decorated with extending flower heads. The shaped front is enclosed by a single glazed door and fitted with shaped glass panes with foliate cast edging. The interior is lined with floral pattern silk and fitted with two glass shelves and one lined shelf, hand-painted with Vernis Martin design panels depicting a garden courting scene and putti. Supported on cabriole legs mounted with shell and C-scroll mounts. Sold For: £4,300.

Lot Number: 207
Elizabethan design oak 5' Kingsize four-poster bed, with a canopy featuring a projecting moulded and gadrooned cornice over an applied strapwork frieze. Ionic capitals over tapering fluted posts with cup and cover balusters carved with gadroons and acanthus leaves, terminating to square supports with applied strapwork and split turnings. The panelled headboard is carved with a coat of arms and inscribed 'WJR', dated '1857', possibly for the Rawson Family who rebuilt Nidd Hall in 1825, with the motto 'Reddens Laudes Domino'. Decorated with arcades and further applied strapwork, complete with floral and urn pattern chintz curtains and matching bedspread.
Provenance: Nidd Hall; acquired by Guy Reed from Richard Butler, 17th Viscount Mountgarret, in 1968. Sold For: £4,000.

Lot Number: 185
Pair of Edwardian Hepplewhite Revival green-painted open armchairs, featuring a cane work shield back with a central oval panel painted with a putto set upon a rocky landscape with water and trees. The shaped and rolled arms enclose a cane work seat, resting on turned front supports decorated with acanthus leaves and draped festoons. Sold For: £950.

Lot Number: 224
Grande Knole four-seat sofa, upholstered in geometric lozenge pattern cream fabric with burgundy and cream twist piping and fringe, on castors. Sold For: £1,800.

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 52, Lot 4, Lot 211 and Lot 239.}

Lot Number: 52
Pair of late 19th century Austrian silver and enamel vases by Hermann Böhm, of baluster form, overall decorated at the top depicting musical scenes and oratory with reclining figures in togas. The ovoid bodies are painted with Dithyramb scenes portraying Dionysiac worshippers playing the cymbals, pan pipes, and lyre, accompanied by a dancing Maenad bearing a Thyrsus, and surrounding figures consuming wine. The domed pedestal feet depict Greek gods observing from the clouds with Putti and recovering a lost statue from ploughed fields, all within foliate silver mounts. Marked 'A' for Vienna and maker's mark 'HB'. Dimensions: H21cm (2). Sold For: £1,800.

Lot Number: 4
Suite of silver King's pattern cutlery, Sheffield 1971/2 and London 1968/9, comprising twelve silver-handled table knives, thirteen silver-handled dessert or cheese knives, twelve table forks, twelve dessert forks, twelve soup spoons, four table spoons, twelve teaspoons, and four coffee spoons. Makers: C J Vander and William Yates. Sold For: £2,000.

Lot Number: 211
Howard & Son's Ltd. - 'Chaplin' early 20th century hardwood-framed two-seat sofa, upholstered in floral pattern fabric decorated with palmettes. The sofa rests on square tapering feet with brass castors, each castor stamped 'Howard & Sons Ltd. London', and the rear feet stamped '1516 4169' 'Howard & Sons Ltd. Berners St'. Sold For: £11,500.

Lot Number: 239
Large Victorian gilt wood overmantle mirror, featuring a shaped cresting rail with curled acanthus leaf pediment. The corners are decorated with foliate C-scrolls and flower heads, with curled foliage lower corner brackets. Plain mirror plate. Sold For: £1,500.

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 184, Lot 183, Lot 181 and Lot 182.}

Lot Number: 184
Edwardian Adam Revival green-painted and parcel gilt bowfront chest furniture, featuring a moulded and foliate carved top painted with a trailing floral band. Fitted with four drawers decorated with trailing floral festoons, ribbon ties, and urns, with oval handle plates featuring engraved decoration and bead cast handles. Supported on turned legs decorated with acanthus leaves and draped festoons. Sold For: £2,100.

Lot Number: 183
Edwardian Adam Revival green-painted and parcel gilt kidney-shaped dressing table, raised with a triple mirror back featuring a shaped cresting. The leather inset top is surrounded by a trailing floral painted band and a foliate carved edge. Fitted with five drawers decorated with urn and floral bouquets, on turned supports painted with acanthus leaves and draped festoons. Together with a matching stool featuring a cane seat. Sold For: £1,100.

Lot Number: 181
Edwardian Adam Revival break-bowfront quadruple green-painted and parcel gilt wardrobe, featuring a projecting acanthus leaf moulded cornice surmounted by an urn with trailing flower heads. The wardrobe has two central panelled doors enclosing linen slides, decorated with oval painted panels depicting maidens with flowers and scrolled acanthus leaves with floral festoons. Below, there are two short and two long drawers, flanked by full-height panelled doors enclosing hanging rails and hooks. The wardrobe rests on a foliate moulded plinth base. Sold For: £2,000.

Lot Number: 182
Edwardian Adam Revival green-painted and parcel gilt 5' Kingsize four-poster bed, featuring an acanthus leaf moulded canopy with curled feather finials. The bed is supported on four turned posts painted with acanthus leaves and draped festoons, with a shaped arch headboard featuring a painted oval panel depicting maidens of love leading a chariot holding Eros, finished with a craquelure effect. Dressed in silk curtains decorated with floral bouquets. Sold For: £9,200.

Browse The Sale Results

This remarkable sale at Duggleby Stephenson of York showcased an array of exquisite items, each holding a piece of the estate’s rich history. We invite you to click below to view the full sale results and explore the treasures that found new homes.