An extensive collection of art, antiques and silver from Corby Castle, Cumbria, went under the hammer in a landmark three-day sale at The Auction Centre, Leyburn.
One of Cumbria’s most historically important mansion houses, grade I-listed Corby Castle sits on a plateau, rising above the picturesque River Eden to the east of Carlisle. The Manor of Corby was granted to Hubert de Vallibus by Henry II and passed to Andrew de Harcia, Earl of Carlisle before being given to Richard Salkeld in 1336. The estate remained in the hands of the Salkeld family until it was sold in 1611 to Lord William Howard, the third son of Thomas Howard, 4th Duke of Norfolk. The house is built around a red sandstone peel tower, or fortified tower house, built in the 13th century; William Howard added a two-storied L-shaped house to the peel tower, and the house was once again modified in the early 19th century by descendant Henry Howard. Between 1812 and 1814, Scottish architect Peter Nicholson gave the castle a new rectangular plan and the harmonious neo-classical façade in the distinctive local red sandstone that graces the building today. Corby Castle remained in the Howard family until 1994, when Lord and Lady Ballyedmond, as new owners, began an inspired revival of Corby, giving new life to one of the great Cumbrian mansions.
The sale comprises over 1,100 lots, ranging from period portraits and 17th century tapestries to decorative 19th century furniture and clocks, and one of the most extensive collections of silver to come onto the market in recent times. Lord and Lady Ballyedmond carefully restored and furnished Corby as a much-loved family retreat for grand entertaining, with style and elegance apparent throughout. The auction provides a unique opportunity for buyers at all levels to acquire exquisite and rare pieces from this outstanding property.
Lot 989
An Elizabeth II Silver Table-Service by Carr's of Sheffield Ltd., Sheffield, 1995 and 1996
Sold for £9,500
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
Lot 990
A Cased Four-Piece French Silver Tea and Coffee-Service by Grégoire Thurot, Paris, 1833-1838
Sold for £4,700
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000
Lot 992
A Set of Four George III Silver Salt-Cellars by Benjamin and James Smith, London, 1809
Sold for £520
Estimated at £300 - £500
Lot 993
A George III Silver Entrée-Dish, Cover, Stand and Lamp by John Schofield, London, 1786
Sold for £2,700
Estimated at £1,200 - £1,800
Lot 994
A Pair of George II Silver Salvers by William Peaston, London, 1749
Sold for £3,300
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
Lot 996
A Pair of George III Silver Waiters by Ebenezer Coker, London, 1768
Sold for £980
Estimated at £300 - £500
Lot 997
A George III Silver Divided Entrée-Dish by John Edwards, London, 1788
Sold for £3,250
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000
Lot 998
A George III Silver Salver by John Hutson, London, 1798
Sold for £950
Estimated at £250 - £350
Lot 1000
A George III Silver Toastrack by Thomas Robins, London, 1806
Sold for £850
Estimated at £200 - £300
Lot 1001
A George III Scottish Silver Waiter by James McKay, Edinburgh, 1807
Sold for £800
Estimated at £250 - £350
Lot 1002
A George III Silver Soup-Tureen and Cover by John Edwards, London, 1808
Sold for £6,000
Estimated at £3,000 - £5,000
Lot 1003
A George III Silver Condiment-Set by William Burwash and Richard Sibley, London, 1808
Sold for £2,900
Estimated at £1,200 - £1,800
Lot 1004
A George III Silver Basket Maker's Mark Worn, ?H, London, 1809
Sold for £1,450
Estimated at £500 - £800
Lot 1005
A George III Silver Meat-Dish by Joseph Craddock and William Ker Reid, London, 1814
Sold for £3,100
Estimated at £1,200 - £1,800
Lot 1006
A George III Silver Basket Perhaps by William Eaton, London, 1819
Sold for £2,160
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
Lot 1013
A Victorian Silver Toastrack by John Samuel Hunt, London, 1862
Sold for £1,000
Estimated at £200 - £300
Lot 1014
A Victorian Silver Butter-Dish by Elkington and Co. Ltd., Birmingham, 1862
Sold for £800
Estimated at £150 - £250
Lot 1016
A Victorian Silver Soup-Tureen and Cover by Herbert Charles Lambert, London, 1866
Sold for £6,200
Estimated at £3,000 - £5,000
Lot 1018
A Victorian Silver Salver by John, Edward, Walter and John Barnard, London, 1873
Sold for £4,800
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
Lot 1021
A Victorian Silver Jug by James Garrard, London, 1890
Sold for £5,500
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
Lot 1025
A Cased Set of Six Victorian Silver Napkin-rings by Lawrence Emanuel, Birmingham, 1896
Sold for £350
Estimated at £70 - £100
Lot 1026
A Victorian or Edward VII Silver Plate Extending Toastrack Apparently Unmarked, Circa 1900
Sold for £300
Estimated at £60 - £80
Lot 1031
A German Silver Basket Possibly by Kaiser and Hofler, Hanau, First Quarter 20th Century
Sold for £1,100
Estimated at £300 - £500
Lot 1033
A George V Silver Tray by Edward Barnard and Sons Ltd., London, 1913
Sold for £9,000
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
Lot 1034
A Set of Twelve German Silver Dinner-Plates by Gottlieb Kurz, Schwäbisch Gmünd, 20th Century
Sold for £7,400
Estimated at £4,000 - £6,000
Lot 1035
A George V Silver Tray by Sharman D. O'Neill, Sheffield, 1924
Sold for £8,800
Estimated at £5,000 - £8,000
Lot 1036
A George V Silver Salver by James Dixon and Sons, Sheffield, 1925
Sold for £980
Estimated at £300 - £500
Lot 1037A
A Set of Eight Silver Tot-Cups and a Tray 20th Century, Retailed by Cartier
Sold for £800
Estimated at £200 - £300
Lot 1038
A George VI Silver and Cut-Glass Serving-Dish by Frank Cobb and Co. Ltd., Sheffield, 1946
Sold for £1,950
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
Lot 1039
An Elizabeth II Silver Meat-Dish by C. J. Vander Ltd., Sheffield, 1964
Sold for £3,800
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,500
Lot 1042
An Ebonised Striking Wall Clock, signed Aett...
Sold for £2,000
Estimated at £1,500 - £2,000
Lot 1043
A Pair of George III-Style Oversized Armchairs,...
Sold for £1,900
Estimated at £800 - £1,200
Lot 1047
Brussels Tapestry Attributed to Pieter Van den...
Sold for £5,000
Estimated at £2,000 - £3,000