Landmark Sale at Chorley's

Chorley’s are pleased to include items in this sale from the estate of the late Sir John and Lady Smith. The Smiths were best known as co-founders of the Landmark Trust in 1965; the Trust has since saved over 200 historic buildings from ruin or unsympathetic alteration. On offer in this sale are a wide variety of items from paintings and furniture to carpets and silver.

Sir John was principally interested in old buildings and through the Trust was able to acquire and preserve some of the most quirky and beautiful examples for the enjoyment of future generations. By the time the Trust was set up most of the ‘best’ buildings were being protected but as he later explained ‘very many minor buildings, put up with thought and care by skilled, intelligent people long ago, were disappearing’. While he concerned himself with the bricks and mortar it was Lady Smith whose keen eye was involved in the furnishing of the interiors. Her attention to detail was second to none and she collaborated with artists and friends to design fabrics for specific properties and to choose books to adorn the shelves. The Landmark aesthetic has a timeless quality that is prized by visitors to the properties and which continues to this day.

This sale includes many affordable items which fit this aesthetic including a pair of 19th Century Italian oil paintings depicting cherubs set in carved giltwood frames, Lot 572 £200-300; a Regency mahogany washstand by Holland & Sons, Lot 702 £400-600; a George IV rosewood library table, Lot 724 £800-1200 and a Samarkhand rug of coral colour, Lot 892 £600-800.

Items from this estate are marked with a ●

AUCTION Tuesday 23rd & Wednesday 24th July 2019

CHORLEY'S Prinknash Abbey Park Gloucestershire GL4 8EU

Tel: +44 (0) 1452 344499

Email: info@chorleys.com

www.chorleys.com