The contents of an historic manor which still bears the axe marks in the front door left by Oliver Cromwell’s army in the English Civil War are going up for auction.
Over three decades Richard and Jaqi Fielding have amassed a treasure trove of furniture and fittings from auctions and antique fairs to fill their impressive home, West Hall in Dorset.
The couple are now downsizing and have sold the imposing stone-built Elizabethan manor, worth some £4m, through estate agents Knight Frank.
They will not have space for all the pieces they have accumulated in the Grade I listed eight-bedroom home so they are selling off most of the contents at Duke’s of Dorchester. The lots are expected to fetch an estimated £50,000.
Richard and Jaqi Fielding have amassed a treasure trove of furniture and fittings from auctions and antique fairs to fill their impressive home, West Hall in Dorset
The historic manor still bears the axe marks in the front door left by Oliver Cromwell’s army in the English Civil War
The couple are now downsizing and have sold the imposing stone-built Elizabethan manor, worth some £4m, through estate agents Knight Frank
Items from the Grade I listed eight-bedroom home are being sold at Duke’s of Dorchester. The lots are expected to fetch an estimated £50,000
There are around 290 lots up for grabs from the 6,500 sq ft home, including period furniture, garden statuary, ceramics, glass, carpets and light fittings
The property in the quaint village of Longburton near Sherborne was attacked by Roundhead soldiers in the 1640s during the Civil War as it was a known Catholic stronghold and they believed King Charles I was hiding in the area
There are around 290 lots up for grabs from the 6,500 sq ft home, including period furniture, garden statuary, ceramics, glass, carpets and light fittings.
The property in the quaint village of Longburton near Sherborne was attacked by Roundhead soldiers in the 1640s during the Civil War as it was a known Catholic stronghold and they believed King Charles I was hiding in the area.
But Oliver Cromwell’s men were stumped by the enormous iron studded oak door, and the six deep gouge marks are all that remain of their attempted intrusion.
The house has been home to a number of notable families since then – the Hymerfords, Moleyns and politician Thomas Chafe – and the Fieldings bought it in 1983.
Matthew Denney, specialist at Duke’s, said: ‘Old fashioned auctions on the premises were commonplace as old families sold up after the Second World War, but they are rare occurrences these days.
‘We are selling everything the owners and their family have decided not to retain and since everything needs to go the majority of items will be sold without specific reserves.
The most valuable individual items are two beds, a Georgian style four-poster mahogany bed and a French Empire bateau en lit, which are both expected to fetch about £1,000
The house has been home to a number of notable families since then – the Hymerfords, Moleyns and politician Thomas Chafe – and the Fieldings bought it in 1983
Oliver Cromwell’s men were stumped by the enormous iron studded oak door, and the six deep gouge marks are all that remain of their attempted intrusion
A Charles I style oak refectory table which was in the Great Hall, worth £500, and a George I walnut bureau dating to the early 18th century, estimated at £1,000
Matthew Denney, specialist at Duke’s, said: ‘Old fashioned auctions on the premises were commonplace as old families sold up after the Second World War, but they are rare occurrences these days’
The previous owners had a house sale with Sotheby’s 30 years ago and the current owners bought one item from that which they are now selling – a 17th century Wainscote chair which is worth about £400
‘People love a house sale, they love the opportunity to get to see it in situ, it’s so much more interesting and personal.
‘The owners have been there for about 30 years, most of the furniture is stuff they already had or things they bought from antique places and auctions.
‘The house is too big for them so they are downsizing. They have kept some bits and given some to family and they’re selling everything else.
‘The previous owners had a house sale with Sotheby’s 30 years ago and the current owners bought one item from that which they are now selling – a 17th century Wainscote chair which is worth about £400.
‘It’s a stunning house where you can buy all the contents and there is something for everyone – what’s not to love?’
The most valuable individual items are two beds, a Georgian style four-poster mahogany bed and a French Empire bateau en lit, which are both expected to fetch about £1,000.
There is also a Charles I style oak refectory table which was in the Great Hall, worth £500, and a George I walnut bureau dating to the early 18th century, estimated at £1,000.
The sale will take place at Duke’s in Dorchester on October 17 but buyers can see all the items in situ at the house on October 15 and 16.