Collections: Including Ardbraccan House, Ireland and a Sicilian Palazzo

Collections: Including Ardbraccan House, Ireland and a Sicilian Palazzo

Sale Overview

This season’s London Collections sale is distinguished by important private collections and includes European, English and 19th‑century furniture and objects; Old Master paintings and prints; porcelain; silver; and works of art dating from the 16th to the 20th century.

Christie’s is delighted to present a large number of works from Ardbraccan House, County Meath, Ireland. A striking Palladian house, Ardbraccan has been the home of celebrated interior designer Serena Williams‑Ellis for over a decade, with the works presented here each skilfully chosen to complement the house’s elegant classical interiors. This carefully curated selection of beautiful English and Irish decorative arts sits alongside fine art, including works by Joshua ReynoldsJohn Ferneley and Gerrit van Honthorst

Ardbraccan was built as the residence of the Bishop of Meath in the 18th century. Initial works were undertaken by Richard Castle (also known as Richard Cassels); the central block of the house was executed in the 1770s to designs by the celebrated architect James Wyatt, and was subsequently completed by Thomas Cooley and Daniel Augustus Beaufort.

Christie’s is also honoured to present a selection of works from a Sicilian palazzo. The collection brings a quintessential Italian interior to London and features fine Italian and French furniture, rare Flemish tapestries and sculpture in the finest classical tradition.

The sale is further enriched by pieces with notable provenance, including the Dukes of Hamilton at Hamilton Palace; a Brussels tapestry by Jeroen Le Clerc after designs by David Teniers from the Palazzo Archinto in Milan; a Brussels tapestry formerly belonging to Mario Chigi Della Rovere, VII Principe di Farnese; a painting by Ferneley formerly in the collection of Lord Robert Grosvenor, 1st Baron Ebury; and works from the collections of Sir James Lowther, 1st Earl of Lonsdale; the Duke of Leinster at Carton House; the Duke of Bridgewater; and the Duke of Buckingham, to name but a few.

These works all highlight the enduring artistry and beauty of exceptional works of art, and present a rare opportunity for collectors to acquire pieces from significant historic commissions.

All exterior images of Ardbraccan House © MediaPro Photography & Video.

Explore the Christie’s Collections Sales.

Auction times
01 Apr 11:00 AM (BST)

Brought to you by

Benjamin Berry

Benjamin Berry

Head of Sale, Associate Specialist | English Furniture & Works of Art

Benjamin joined Christie’s Decorative Arts department as a Cataloguer in 2021 and has worked on the biannual Collector sales as well as contributing to the phenomenal success of the sale of the collection of Hubert de Givenchy in June 2022 and the London Exceptional Sale in July 2022. Enthused by history and research, Benjamin works primarily with the English, European, and 19th Century Furniture and Works of Art departments. He holds a bachelor’s degree in Classics and German from Oxford University and prior to joining Christie’s worked with museums and auction houses in the UK and Germany.

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