Still life by Giorgio Lucchesi is top lot in Cumbrian Castle sale
A landmark three-day auction of art, antiques and silver from Corby Castle, Cumbria, which was held from January 22-24 at Tennants Auctioneers, North Yorkshire, drew bidders from across the world.
Single-owner country house auctions are enormously attractive to buyers, and the Corby Castle sale realised a total hammer price of £1.48m - 55 per cent over the top estimate - and an extraordinary 99.6 per cent selling rate.
Director and auctioneer Jane Tennant said: “It has been a privilege from start to finish to handle such an important country house collection from the North of England.
"We were delighted with the enthusiastic reception of the sale by eager bidders as well as the fantastic results, which prove just how important provenance is at auction. The collection was carefully curated, with pieces by top makers and examples of fine craftsmanship, which was reflected in very confident bidding throughout the sale.”
The sale comprised over 1,130 lots, ranging from period portraits and 17th century tapestries to decorative 19th century furniture and clocks, and one of the most extensive collections of silver to be sold in recent times.
Silver was the stand-out success, with pieces of exceptional quality and size achieving remarkable results, aided by wider market forces and record silver prices globally.
The silver section alone realised a total hammer price of £699,290 for the 324 lots, 57 per cent over top estimate, with every single lot selling.
Top lots of silver included an Indian Silver Venison-Dish and Cover by Hamilton and Co, Calcutta, made in the first half of the 19th century (sold for £22,000 all figures exclude buyer’s premium), a Massive Edward VII Silver Monteith-Bowl by Charles Stuart Harris, London, 1901 (sold for £16,000), and a Massive Portuguese Silver Tray from the first half of the 19th century (sold for £16,000).
A further tranche of silver from Corby Castle will be sold in a second sale on March 13.
The top lot was a beautifully painted still life entitled ‘The Day’s Hunt’ by Italian artist Giorgio Lucchesi (1855-1941), which sold for £42,000.
Lucchesi spent his whole life in his hometown of Lucca, painting still lifes, landscapes and genre scenes in the Academic Neoclassical tradition: however, in 1885, he became inspired by 17th century Flemish masters, and began specialising in painting grand still lifes incorporating big game.
Further notable results were achieved for imposing and large-scale grand antiques, which encapsulated the Corby Castle collection, such as a French Bronze Ormolu Striking Mantle Clock made circa 1870, which sold for £8,500, a Pair of Gilt and Patinated Bronze Figural Candlesticks, which sold for £9,000, and a Louis XV Aubusson Verdure Tapestry attributed to the Jacques Dumonteil, which sold for £7,000.
Grade I-listed Corby Castle has a long history: the estate was purchased in 1611 by Lord William Howard, the third son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk, and Corby Castle remained in the Howard family until 1994, when the new owners began an inspired revival of the great Cumbrian mansion.
The auction provided a unique opportunity for buyers at all levels to acquire exquisite and rare pieces from this outstanding property.