Gurr Johns Sells Castle Howard Commode

The top lot at this autumn’s furniture sale at Bonhams New Bond Street was a handsome George III commode, sold by Gurr Johns on behalf of a client. Estimated at £120,000-180,000 ($191,100-286,700), strong bidding both in the room and on the telephone brought a final result of £199,250 ($317,300). Although the piece had been on the London market in 2011, whereupon it failed to find a buyer, on Gurr Johns’ advice it was this time offered at a very attractive estimate. This strategy very often inspires vigorous competition in the saleroom, as happened here.

In this case the commode’s desirability was enhanced by exceptional provenance and exceptional craftsmanship. Made by Pierre Langlois, the great French cabinetmaker whose establishment on the Tottenham Court Road in London attracted the patronage of the brightest lights in Georgian society, the commode was originally supplied to Ribston Hall in Yorkshire. By descent, however, it arrived in the collection of the Earls of Carlisle in the 19th century, and was transferred to their principal seat, Castle Howard (made famous around the world by both the miniseries and film versions of Brideshead Revisited), after the Second World War.

For more information on how Gurr Johns can assist with selling strategies, please contact us on +44 (0)20 7839 4747 or +1 212 486 7373.

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