The Country Living Sale, ending Friday 24 July from 11AM, celebrates the craftsmanship, texture and character that bring warmth to the traditional country home. From farmhouse furniture and Yorkshire oak to sporting art, rustic ceramics, copper, brass and decorative objects, the catalogue reflects the appeal of interiors shaped by history, practicality and personality.
These are pieces that feel lived with rather than simply displayed, offering collectors, decorators and country living enthusiasts the chance to discover objects with charm, authenticity and a strong sense of place. Here are selected highlights from the catalogue.
Furniture with Craft and Country Character
The furniture section brings together pieces that would sit naturally within farmhouse, cottage and traditional interiors, combining honest materials with strong decorative appeal.
Lot 8786, a
Rabbitman adzed oak Welsh dresser by Peter Heap of Wetwang, is one of the standout pieces in the sale. With a scalloped cornice above two plate racks, adzed and panelled sides, and an integrated lower section with two drawers above twin cupboard doors, it has both presence and practicality. The carved rabbit to the right-hand side marks it as the work of Peter Heap, part of Yorkshire’s celebrated tradition of carved oak furniture.
Estimate: £1,000 to £1,400.
Arts & Crafts design appears in Lot 8501, a
Shapland & Petter of Barnstaple mahogany tile-backed hall stand, model no.114. The shaped back, single shelf, Art Nouveau embossed patinated copper panel, turquoise tiled back and inset metal drip tray make it an especially decorative piece for an entrance hall. Comparable examples are recorded in Daryl Bennett’s works on Shapland & Petter and Liberty’s furniture, with examples of this model known to have been retailed by Liberty & Co.
Estimate: £400 to £600.
A more sculptural rural form appears in Lot 8725, an
early 20th century French elm dug-out chair. Of monoxylous form, meaning carved from a single piece of timber, it has a wonderfully primitive quality. Simple, tactile and full of character, it would bring texture and individuality to both country and modern interiors.
Estimate: £200 to £400.