Sale of mansion contents sparks excitement

THE SALE of the residual contents of a twenty-bedroom mansion has sparked excitement at the Cirencester saleroom of auction house Moore Allen & Innocent.

The auctioneers have been sworn to secrecy over the identity of the original owners, although they have confirmed that the consignment of 39 container loads of items – ranging from reproduction antique furniture to high-end white goods ­– is on behalf of a removals and storage company against a bad debt.

The collection is so large that auctioneers are having to sell the items over several sales. The first 13 container loads will go under the hammer on Friday, January 23 from 10am.

Among the highlights of the collection is a modern reproduction oval centre table in mahogany with a gilt decorated frieze above four stylised dolphin supports and four large gilt decorated paw feet. The table carries an estimate of £400 to £600.

Elsewhere a set of three Regency-style gilt framed elbow chairs with ostrich leather upholstered seats are estimated at £150 to £200. The collection features a number of reproduction period settees, chairs, tables and cabinets, whilst decorative furnishings including cushions, table lamps and ornaments form a large part of the consignment.

Meanwhile an attractive modern wooden rocking horse by Horseplay of Devon is estimated at £200 to £300 and the contents of the kitchen or utility room – including a washing machine, dishwasher, fridge freezer and industrial-sized tumble drier – each carry an estimate of £50.

Outside of the mansion contents sale, there are lots to attract a variety of collectors.

Fans of militaria will be delighted by artefacts, ranging from the Boer War to the Gulf War. A collection of medals includes a Crimea Medal featuring a Battle of Sebastopol bar, awarded to a Grenadier Guardsman in 1845, and a Boer War medal with three bars of the Battles of Johannesburg, Orange Free State and Cape Colony, presented to a private of the South Wales Borders regiment. Each medal is estimated at £70 to £100.

Of local interest is a clutch of medals awarded to Bombardier James Henry Tugwell of Malmesbury and his son, Frank Tugwell, of the 2nd Battalion, the Worcestershire Regiment. Poignantly, James  – who was awarded the 1914-1918 medal and the Territorial War Medal for Voluntary Service Overseas – seems to have survived the conflict, whilst amongst his son’s honours – a 1914-18 medal, a Great War medal and a 1914 Star ­– is a death plaque, presented to his family following his demise on January 25, 1915, aged 36. The collection is estimated at £80 to £120.

Meanwhile, from one of Britain’s most recent conflicts comes a pair of 12cm, 20x120 military field binoculars mounted on a heavy metal tripod with spiked feet. In full working order, the binoculars are embossed with a plaque bearing the coat of arms of Iraq and Arabic script. They carry an estimate of £100 to £150.

Of a far more delicate nature is a large collection of lace, which is being sold in four lots: Irish, Honiton, Brussels, and a collection of christening gowns dating from 1880 to 1910. Each lot is expected to achieve £70 to £100. Of particular note is a single piece of lace embroidery decorated with floral sprays and scrolls, which won the Panel of Lace competition at the Great Exhibition in Paris in 1880. It carries an estimate of £60 to £90.

Finally, one of the smallest items on sale could achieve the top price of the day. A Swiss-made Omega wristwatch in 18ct yellow gold with champagne dial in a rectangular case with cantered corners, carries an estimate of £1,500 to £2,000. Dating from the 1980s, the watch comes complete with its original velvet-lined case, international warranty card and instruction booklet.

For more information log on to www.mooreallen.co.uk or call 01285 646050 for a catalogue.

A modern reproduction oval centre table, estimate £400 to £600	Victorian war medals, estimate £70 to £100 each
A pair of military field binoculars on tripod, estimate £100 to £150
A piece of lace embroidery decorated with floral sprays and scrolls, which won the Panel of Lace competition at the Great Exhibition in Paris in 1880, estimate £60 to £90