Royal Family news reveals that antiques from the Queen Elizabeth II’s cousin, Prince Richard’s former manor have gone on the market. Read on and we’ll fill you in on the details.
Royal Family News: Barnwell Manor’s Rich History
Royal Family news reveals that the 436-year-old estate has a great deal of history behind its walls and now, its contents are going up for sale, according to Independent UK. Set in Northhamptonshire, Barnwell Manor was once home to the Duke of Gloucester, Prince Richard, and his wife the Duchess, Birgitte van Deurs.
The 77-year-old Prince Richard is the grandson of George V and thus, first cousin to Queen Elizabeth. He is still reportedly a full-time working royal. The antique items which have been gathered by Windsor House of Antiques are expected to fetch nearly $2 Million
343 Items for Sale at Auction
The Duke and Duchess of Gloucester left the home for Kensington Palace back in 1995 following reports of the pair’s inability to afford life in the Grade II Listed property any longer. A total of 343 items were listed by Dreweatts Auctioneers and are set to go on the auction block on September 7 and 8.
A George III mahogany serpentine figure is expected to fetch a whopping $30,000. The piece was originally part of the Irwin Untermyer collection. The collection, considered one of the world’s greatest private collections, can now be seen at the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York City.
Auction to Take Place on Barnwell Estate
Also in the collection is a set of eight rare George II walnut chairs from the 1730s. The chairs, once owned by American diplomat Robert Wood Bliss who co-founded the Dumbarton Oaks Research Library in Washington DC during WWII, are expected to sell for between $47,000 and $67,000.
A spokesperson for Dreweatts Auctioneers said of the collection, “The sale will include a curated offering of important and decorative furniture, paintings and works of art including provenances from some of our great houses and historic collections.”
The auction will reportedly take place on the property, giving potential customers a chance to “acquire beautiful and sometimes unusual objects within a wonderfully historic context,” the spokesperson said. The vast estate boasts 40 rooms which include four reception rooms, seven bedrooms, and six bathrooms. The house sits on 2500 acres of land.
Dreweatts Praises Collection
Kevin Smith, who has run the Windsor House of Antiques for 23 years has “collated a collection which is unapologetic in its breadth, depth, and evident quality,” according to the Dreweatts spokesperson.
“This insatiable appetite for collecting pieces of quality and historical importance has given rise to a cornucopia of objects, from over 60 years of experience and assiduous collecting.” Be sure and stay up to date on this developing news and return here often for more Royal Family news and updates.