Wednesday, August 11, 2010

The House

Nancy Mitford's little sister Deborah, the Dowager Duchess of Devonshire has a problem we can each appreciate. She has too much stuff filling her closets and various homes. Left unsaid is probably a pressing need for a lot of cash to cover the death duties of the recently deceased 10th Duke.

So what's a girl to do when she needs to raise a pile of cash quickly, in unsettled times? We've already mentioned her new book ,and while sales may be brisk, represent egg money.

When you need serious cash one invites Sotheby's to look around. They'll created a plan.

Quoting their catalog:

"The Duke and Duchess of Devonshire and the Trustees of the Chatsworth Settlement have instructed Sotheby’s to hold an auction of treasures gathered from the attics and stores at Chatsworth.

The sale comprises 20,000 objects in well over 1,000 lots which will be on view in a series of marquees in the grounds of the house from October 1st. The house and grounds will be open to the public as usual during the period of the sale and view.

Coming from the great houses of Chatsworth, Chiswick House, Bolton Abbey, Compton Place, Devonshire House, Hardwick Hall, Holker Hall and Lismore Castle, the sale includes works from almost every conceivable area: Architectural fittings, Books, Carriages and Cars, Ceramics and Glass, Collectables, Continental Furniture, English Furniture, European Sculpture, Garden Statuary, Natural History, Jewellery, Old Master and British Pictures, Oriental Works of Art, Silver and Plate, Objects of Vertu, Prints, Rugs and Carpets, Textiles, Tapestries and Wine."

Letting the wine cellar go, may be a step too far.

Toad

15 comments:

Jules said...

I sooooo need to be there!!!!

house things said...

Ah, the problem of too much stuff. 20,000 items. Far more than anyone can enjoy or appreciate.

Pigtown*Design said...

i am so there! planning to go back to the uk soon, so why not make it for the sale?

David said...

Now thats going to be a sale.

Out Of A Bandbox said...

I agree, selling the wine is a flaw in the plan. They will need something to sustain themselves whilst selling off their bounty.

The Down East Dilettante said...

Pity they aren't American. No inheritance taxes this year, and as a dealer, I've noticed a real down trend in estate calls----no need to sell the family portraits this year.

that's a lot of attic cleaning.

JMW said...

It's good to let Sotheby's handle that type of stuff. We about never got rid of our old carriages and Oriental works of art before we moved.

Jemimagold said...

Ohhhhh... I love the Mitford Sisters. I even made my husband go on a Mitford Sisters jaunt around England a couple of years ago. We visited Chatsworth but only 10-11 rooms were available for viewing.

The Sotheby's sale is incredibly tempting and I'm ashamed to admit that I've been checking airfare to London and Manchester all morning as a result.

Toad said...

do not forget that admittance is by catalog only!

Jemimagold said...

I've already ordered the catalog which should arrive the first week of September!

When I spoke with Sotheby's today, they said that I didn't have to actually bring the catalog w/ me. If I bring my receipt for the catalog purchase, that will be sufficient for admittance for 2 people every day.

Toad said...

I can't wait to hear about the catalog.

The Down East Dilettante said...

Sigh. How mean of them not to have an E-Catalog for this one. And now that my friend at Sotheby's is no longer at Sotheby's (although still my friend), the free catalogs have come to an end. Guess I'll have to break down and get out the plastic money....

Mistress Cynica said...

Mitford fans might enjoy this post about a book bound for the sisters' grandfather Bertram by the great English bookbinder T. J. Cobden-Sanderson.

Jemimagold said...

I've been corresponding with Sotheby's and they've confirmed that an e-catalogue WILL be available for this sale. In case anyone is interested....

Toad said...

Thank you so much. I for one,am interested.