LIFE BEYOND FIRST CLASS
ARTS & COLLECTIBLES
COURT COLLECTIONS
The contents of Kinsham Court, once the residence of Florence Nightingale’s family, and Lord Byron - who is said to have worked on Childe Harold whilst residing there - hits the auction block.
The Arkwright family bought Kinsham Court in the 20th Century. In 1857, at the age of 24, John Arkwright, the grandson of Richard Arkwright – who invented the Spinning Jenny (or rather made the crucial adaptation to James Hargreaves’ initial idea). It revolutionized the manufacture of cotton and helped make Richard Arkwright ‘the richest commoner in Europe’. By 1870, John Arkwright was the largest landowner in Herefordshire. However, the family soon fell upon hard times and were forced to sell Hampton Court Castle – later taking up residence at the more manageable Kinsham Court, which they had purchased before the sale. James Arkwright, the last surviving member of the direct family line, died in 1985.
On Wednesday, October 12, Bonhams Knightsbridge in London will auction off a bevy of significant antiques currently housed in Kinsham Court. “It is always a huge honor to be able to offer items which encapsulate such history, says Charlie Thomas, UK Group Director of Private Collections & Furniture. “This sale offers an unrivaled opportunity to acquire furniture and paintings dating back to the founder of the dynasty himself, including a sensitive group portrait of Richard and Mary Arkwright and family from the studio of Joseph Wright of Derby. Most excitingly is that none of the contents have ever been on the open market before.”
One of an important pair of George III satinwood, burr elm, and purple heart marquetry commodes. Estimate: £80,000-120,000.
Circle of Joseph Wright of Derby (Derby 1734-1797), Group portrait of Robert, Peter and Richard Arkwright, full-length, standing in a landscape with a kite. Estimate: £30,000-50,000.
Interiors of the Kinsham Court.
Circle of Joseph Wright of Derby (Derby 1734-1797), Group portrait of Elizabeth, Charles and John Arkwright, standing three-quarter length, standing in a landscape, with a goat. Estimate: £30,000- 50,000.
Highlights of the sale include:
• Studio of Joseph Wright of Derby (Derby 1734-1797), Group portrait of Richard and Mary Arkwright with a baby, full-length, standing and seated in a landscape. Estimate: £50,000-70,000.
• An important pair of George III satinwood, burr elm, and purple heart marquetry commodes. Estimate: £80,000-120,000.
• Gaspar Pieter Verbrugghen the Younger (Antwerp 1664-1730), Still life of a swag of roses, peonies, tulips, and other flowers with fruit and a squirrel on a stone ledge. Estimate: £12,000-18,000.
• A fine Flemish 17th-century Historical tapestry fragment depicting The Death of Alexander. Estimate: £6,000-8,000.
• A Meissen blue and white part service, 18th Century. Estimate: £4,000-6,000.