There was standing room only as Bonhams sale of the contents of Great Brampton House began in the grounds of the stately home.

Hundreds of keen bidders had made the journey from all over the world to Herefordshire for a chance to walk away with a piece of the renowned antiques firm run by Lady Pamela Pidgeon.

A third of the way into the sale the total had already exceeded the £1 million mark with many lots selling above their pre-sale estimate.

Top lots were;

Two paintings by the Russian artist Roslin which made £144,000.

Lot 47 - A pair of spectacular portraits from the Studio of Alexander Roslin (1718-1793) sold for £144,000 (estimate £30,000-50,000)
Lot 30 - A fine ormolu mounted Japanese lacquer bombé commode by François Linke made £90,000 (estimate £50,000-70,000)
Lot 64 - A set of sixteen George III mahogany dining chairs in the Gothic style of Thomas Chippendale, sold for £84,000
Lot 63 - A pair of George IV mahogany and gilt bronze mounted Side Cabinets attributed to Morel & Seddon, previously in the Royal Collection at Windsor Castle sold for £66,000

Lady Pidgeon started selling antiques in Somerset in the 1960s from the back of her Morris Minor 1000. From these humble beginnings she went on to build a business that commanded the attention of the antiques world and attracted an international clientele including the Hollywood screen siren Ava Gardner, operatic legend Luciano Pavarotti and the Duke of Northumberland.

Auction info www.bonhams.com

Posted: 10|5|08 at 10:02 am. Filed under: UK News.