Featured: The Country House Sale

Step into a world of elegance and history at The Country House Sale, at David Duggleby. This is our prestigious bi-annual auction celebrating timeless craftsmanship and heritage. This carefully curated event brings together fine furniture, antiques, and decorative objects, each piece rich with character and history.

From Georgian mahogany to Victorian walnut and Regency rosewood, plus the enduring beauty of Yorkshire oak, the furniture selection showcases centuries of exceptional design. Alongside this, discover silver, ceramics, glassware, and unique decorative pieces, all chosen for their craftsmanship and charm. It's a rare opportunity to bring a touch of history and refinement into your home.

Viewing times:
Tuesday 11th – Thursday 13th March | 9am – 4:30pm
Friday 14th March | 9am – 4:30pm
Saturday 15th March from 9am

The sale begins from 11am on Saturday 15th March. 

In this post, we'll be sharing a large selection of highlights from this sale, from exquisite decorative objects and fine Chinese pottery to rare Royal Worcester pieces, intricate clocks, and exceptional furniture, rugs, and interiors.

Decorative Objects

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1176, Lot 1072 and Lot 1085.}

Opening the sale with decorative objects, this selection showcases craftsmanship, history, and artistry in a variety of exquisite forms. Lot 1176, a Reuge Sainte-Croix Swiss musical box, is a beautifully crafted 21st-century piece with a highly polished lacquered finish and inlaid ebonised case. Featuring a glazed internal lid, this exceptional musical box plays three arias from The Phantom of the Opera by Andrew Lloyd Webber (Estimate £1,000–£1,500).

For lovers of grand European design, Lot 1072, a large French gilt bronze urn after Henry Dasson (1825–1896), is a striking display of ornate 19th-century craftsmanship. With twin curved foliate handles detailed with birds, scrolling foot, and a beautifully cast body, this impressive urn is stamped HENRY DASSON to the foot (Estimate £800–£1,200).

Bringing imperial history to the sale, Lot 1085, a 19th-century Viennese biscuit porcelain bust, is thought to originate from the Imperial Porcelain Manufactory and depicts Emperor Francis I of Austria (1768–1835). Resting on a glazed porcelain socle inscribed ‘FRANCISCVS.I.’, this finely detailed sculpture is a wonderful example of neoclassical portraiture (Estimate £300–£500).

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1149, Lot 1145 and Lot 1153.}

Bringing a touch of Eastern artistry and tradition, this selection of 19th-century Chinese pottery showcases intricate blue and white designs that have captivated collectors for centuries.

A standout piece is Lot 1149, a Chinese blue and white jar, featuring the Hundred Boys design, a motif dating back to the Song period. Depicting children at play, this theme symbolises prosperity, family continuity, and filial devotion, making it a meaningful addition to any collection (Estimate £400–£600).

Equally striking is Lot 1145, a Chinese blue and white planter and stand, with finely detailed figures, precious objects, and foliate borders. The stand complements the planter with landscape scenes beneath a lipped rim, creating a harmonious and elegant display (Estimate £300–£500).

Completing this selection is Lot 1153, a late 19th-century Chinese ginger jar, its ovoid form and circular cover adorned with a captivating scene of a geisha on a reindeer, accompanied by an attendant in a serene landscape. Marked with an apocryphal Kangxi seal, this piece reflects the enduring influence of earlier dynastic artistry (Estimate £400–£600).

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1128, Lot 1122 and Lot 1127.}

A celebration of British porcelain artistry, this selection of Royal Worcester pieces showcases the exquisite hand-painted craftsmanship for which the manufacturer is renowned.

A rare and fascinating piece, Lot 1128, a turn-of-the-century Royal Worcester oval plaque, is beautifully hand-painted by Harry Davis, depicting a farmyard scene of pigs and piglets at a stone trough. Davis was the only Royal Worcester artist approved to paint pigs, and most known examples are based on a single sketch from a local farm visit. Signed and dated 1900, this exceptional piece is a true collector’s treasure (Estimate £2,000–£4,000).

Equally striking is Lot 1127, another early 20th-century Royal Worcester oval plaque, this time by George Johnson, featuring a white terrier, cockerel, and chickens within a rustic barn setting. Painted with charming detail and character, this piece embodies the warmth and rural nostalgia often found in Johnson’s work (Estimate £1,200–£1,800).

For those with a taste for luxury and refinement, Lot 1122, a late 20th-century limited edition Royal Worcester mantel clock, offers classic elegance. Hand-painted by Jason Bowman, it features a rich still life of fruit upon mossy ground, and is numbered 53/200 (Estimate £800–£1,200).

Clocks

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1180, Lot 1193 and Lot 1199.}

A testament to fine craftsmanship and precision, this selection of antique clocks showcases the artistry of European horology across different styles and centuries.

Elegant and richly detailed, Lot 1180, a mid-19th century French carriage clock by Auguste of Paris, is set in a foliate-engraved case with acorn finials and a conforming carrying handle. Featuring a white enamel dial with delicate steel moon hands, it houses a twin-train movement striking the hours and half-hours on a bell. Retaining its original jewelled lever platform escapement and repeat function, this is a fine example of 19th-century Parisian clockmaking (Estimate £400–£600).

For collectors of miniature timepieces, Lot 1193, a late 19th-century French miniature longcase clock, is a charming walnut-cased piece standing just 13 inches high. Made by Parisian clockmakers Gay Lamaille & Co. (EGL), this delicately carved timepiece houses a spring-driven 8-day movement with a lever platform escapement, a remarkable level of craftsmanship in such a small scale (Estimate £80–£120).

A highlight of the sale is Lot 1199, an 18th-century George III longcase clock by William Hayler of Chatham. This stunning black-japanned chinoiserie-decorated case, dating from circa 1760, is adorned with gilded scenes of pagodas, birds, temples, and floral motifs. The brass dial features Roman numerals, a seconds dial, a date aperture, and a silvered cartouche with the maker’s name. With a five-pillar rack-striking movement, this grand and historically significant clock is a masterpiece of Georgian craftsmanship (Estimate £1,000–£2,000).

Furniture, Rugs & Interiors

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1230, Lot 1214 and Lot 1467.}

Bringing elegance and character to interiors, this selection of fine furniture, decorative rugs, and unique objects showcases craftsmanship across different eras and styles.

A statement piece of Georgian design, Lot 1230, a George III mahogany serpentine chest, features a beautifully moulded top over four cock-beaded drawers. The top drawer opens to reveal a baize-lined slide with compartments, adding both practicality and refinement. Canted and fluted corners, brass swan neck handles, and bracket feet complete this exquisite example of 18th-century craftsmanship (Estimate £1,000–£1,500).

For those who appreciate handcrafted artisan pieces, Lot 1214, a Mouseman tooled oak money box, brings charm and heritage to the sale. Shaped like a wedge of cheese and featuring the signature carved mouse, this piece was crafted in the famous Kilburn workshop of Robert Thompson, renowned for its traditional oak furniture with a rustic yet timeless appeal (Estimate £300–£500).

Adding warmth and vibrancy, Lot 1467, a Persian Heriz carpet, boasts a striking dark indigo and red ground, featuring a central medallion with large projecting palmettes and stylised floral motifs. Its intricate repeating border and detailed plant-inspired patterns reflect the heritage and artistry of Persian weaving, making it a perfect statement rug for any home (Estimate £600–£800).

_{Above, Left to Right: Lot 1226, Lot 1225 and Lot 1228.}

Bringing grandeur, playfulness, and timeless craftsmanship to the home, this selection of fine furniture showcases Regency elegance, traditional craftsmanship, and Arts & Crafts design.

A statement of luxury and refinement, Lot 1226, a Regency brass inlaid rosewood chaise lounge, exudes classic opulence. With a shaped back, rolled head and foot, and striking black and gold striped upholstery, this piece is both decorative and comfortable. The acanthus leaf roundels, foliate carved panels, and elegant paw-carved feet highlight the attention to detail in early 19th-century furniture design (Estimate £500–£800).

For those with a love of nostalgia and craftsmanship, Lot 1225, a large carved wooden rocking horse in the manner of F. H. Ayres, is a true collector’s piece. Its dapple grey painted finish, glass eyes, leather reins, and detailed saddle showcase the artistry behind traditional rocking horses, making it a delightful addition to a period interior or toy collection (Estimate £1,000–£2,000).

Embodying Arts & Crafts simplicity and charm, Lot 1288, a Liberty & Co. 'The Wykeham' settle or bench, is a rare find from the renowned Liberty & Co. London. Dating back to the 1890s, it features a reeded frame, rush seat, and turned stretchers, reflecting the handcrafted, functional beauty of the period. This model was documented in Liberty’s 1889 catalogue and later referenced in Daryl Bennett’s ‘Liberty’s Furniture 1875-1915’, cementing its place in design history (Estimate £400–£600).

Browse The Catalogue

This Country House Sale offers a truly remarkable selection of antiques, fine furniture, and decorative treasures, each with its own story to tell. Whether you're looking for a statement piece to enhance your home or a unique addition to your collection, this auction is not to be missed. Browse the catalogue and place your bids now to secure a piece of history.