Ended

The Contents of Kerfield House

11 September 2025 | starting at 10:00 BST

Please click here for Post-Auction information on Collections, Shipping & Storage

Opening days & times:
Monday 18 August, 10:30am – 4:00pm
then, every Monday – Friday, 10:00am – 4:00pm
until 4.00pm on Wednesday 10 September

Weekend viewing:
Sunday 7 September, 11:00am – 3:00pm

Bonhams is delighted to present The Contents of Kerfield House at 101 New Bond Street this September. The Georgian-styled house on the outskirts of the Cheshire market town of Knutsford was originally constructed in 1860, before being transformed under Percy Scott Worthington in 1912.

It has been the home of John and Elaine Johnson since 1987 and it is here, explains daughter and antique dealer Holly Johnson, that their taste for collecting grew in scale. Each room was decorated with Elaine's own individual style to have a distinct identity, using wallpapers by the likes of De Gournay and fabrics and trims from the Paris fabric houses.

Their love for travel, combined with Holly's growing businesses as a dealer, saw key pieces of the collection sourced from France, Holland and Italy. The grand piano by Pleyel Lyon and Cie was removed from a chateau near Montauben with a crane as it was too large for any of the doors, with the bedroom furniture attributed to Zwiener came from Paris and Nice.

Live Auction

London, New Bond Street

Print Results

How to buy

Auction highlights

A large Italian carved marble bust of Pericles After the Antique, probably late 18th/early 19th century (2). Sold for £48,640 inc. premium

Henri-Georges-Jacques Chartier (French, 1859-1924) A French cavalry charge under canon fire of the Napoleonic Wars. Sold for £40,960 inc. premium

Émile Betsellère (French, 1847-1880) French Revolutionaries disputing with a leader of the Revolution. Sold for £28,160 inc. premium

An important and exhibition quality 19th century satinwood, tulipwood banded, purplewood, sycamore, marquetry, gilt bronze mounted and painted side cabinetBy Wright and Mansfield in the Adam style, circa 1870. Sold for £28,160 inc. premium

Circle of James Leakey (British, 1773-1865) The arrival of a circus troupe, probably Richardson's 'Penny' Theatre or Circus. Sold for £16,640 inc. premium

Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988): a four panel 'Libreria' screenItalian, circa 1955. Sold for £7,040 inc. premium

A large French mid-19th century gilt bronze eight-light chandelier In the Louis XV style. Sold for £5,760 inc. premium

A French late 19th century kingwood, marquetry and gilt bronze mounted double bedIn the manner of Joseph-Emmanuel Zwiener (1848-1895), in the Louis XV style. Sold for £5,376 inc. premium

Thomas Stringer (Knutsford 1722-1790) Beauty, a dapple grey. Sold for £5,120 inc. premium

Specialist contacts

Ella Jerman-Riddell

Sale Coordinator

Tel: +44 20 7468 8359

Ella.Jerman-Riddell@bonhams.com

Charlie Thomas

Group Head, Private Collections, Furniture & Works of Art, U.K

Tel: +44 20 7468 8358

Charlie.Thomas@bonhams.com

Madeleine Cater

Associate Specialist

Tel: +44 20 7468 5895

Madeleine.Cater@bonhams.com

Shipping (UK)

Tel: +44 20 7468 8302

shipping@bonhams.com

News and stories

Read Story

Bonhams Magazine | If Walls Could Talk | The Many Lives of Kerfield House

Read News

Bonhams to Offer The Contents of Kerfield House

Additional information

This auction is now finished. If you are interested in consigning in future auctions, please contact the specialist department. If you have queries about lots purchased in this auction, please contact client services.
Buyers' Obligations
ALL BIDDERS MUST AGREE THAT THEY HAVE READ AND UNDERSTOOD BONHAMS' CONDITIONS OF SALE AND AGREE TO BE BOUND BY THEM, AND AGREE TO PAY THE BUYER'S PREMIUM AND ANY OTHER CHARGES MENTIONED IN THE NOTICE TO BIDDERS. THIS AFFECTS THE BIDDERS LEGAL RIGHTS.
If you have any questions about the Conditions of Sale, please contact your nearest client services team.
From 28 June 2025, the import into the EU of non-EU property of a certain age (and in some categories above a certain value) is subject to additional requirements. Under the relevant EU Regulation, it is the Buyer's sole responsibility to assess whether any Lot meets the criteria for import into the EU. The refusal of any required Import Licence or Importer Statement, or any delay in obtaining such Licence or Statement shall not give rise to the rescission or cancellation of any Sale, nor allow any delay in making full payment for the Lot.
Buyers' Premium and Charges
For all Sales categories, buyer's premium excluding Cars, Motorbikes, Wine, Whisky and Coin & Medal sales, will be as follows:
Buyer's Premium Rates
28% on the first £40,000 of the hammer price;
27% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £40,000 up to and including £800,000;
21% of the hammer price of amounts in excess of £800,000 up to and including £4,500,000;
and 14.5% of the hammer price of any amounts in excess of £4,500,000.
A 3rd party bidding platform fee of 4% of the Hammer Price for Buyers using the following bidding platforms will be added to the invoices of successful Buyers for auctions starting on or after 6th July 2024 – Invaluable; Live Auctioneers; The Saleroom; Lot-tissimo.
VAT at the current rate of 20% will be added to the Buyer's Premium and charges excluding Artists Resale Right.
Payment Notices
For payment information please refer to the sale catalog.
Shipping Notices
For information and estimates on domestic and international shipping as well as export licenses please contact Bonhams Shipping Department.

Ф	Item contains or is made of ivory
	This lot contains or is made of ivory and cannot be imported into the USA or any country within the EU.
AR	Artists Resale Right
	Goods subject to Artists Resale Right Additional Premium.
TP	Off site storage location
	For auctions held in Scotland: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Constantine, Constantine House, North Caldeen Road, Coatbridge ML5 4EF, Scotland, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please refer to the catalogue for further information. For all other auctions: Lots will be moved to an offsite storage location (Cadogan Tate, Auction House Services, 241 Acton Lane, London NW10 7NP, UK) and will only be available for collection from this location at the date stated in the catalogue. Please note transfer and storage charges will apply to any lots not collected after 14 calendar days from the auction date.
Y	CITES
	Subject to CITES regulations when exporting items outside of the UK, see clause 13.

The Contents of Kerfield House

Auction highlights

Lot gallery

49TP — Two sets of Edwardian nests of tablesEarly 20th century

50TP — A George II walnut, crossbanded and feather banded bureauMid-18th century and later

51TP — A George III and later polychrome decorated mahogany card tableLate 18th century

52TP — An early 20th century red Japanned side cabinet in the Chinese Chippendale styleAttributed to Hille

53TP — A French carved giltwood three panel screenEarly 20th century, in the Louis XVI style

54TP — A late 19th century carved giltwood fireside footstoolIn the Louis XV style

55TP — A pair of bronzed metal and verde antico garniture urns, adapted as table lamp bases

56TP — A large mahogany and brass mounted peat bucketIn the Irish George III style

57TP — A pair of carved giltwood pole screensLate 19th century

58TP — A large steel and brass club fender

59TP — A French late 19th century gilt bronze and figural kerb fenderIn the Louis XVI style

60TP — A French late 19th century kingwood and gilt bronze mounted fire screen

61TP — A late 19th / early 20th century gilt brass and mesh fire screenIn the Louis XV style

62TP — A mahogany and brass mounted peat bucket In the Irish George III style

63TP — A French early 20th century beech framed day bedIn the Louis XV style

64TP — A pair of French early 20th century beech framed porters bergèresIn the Louis XV style

65TP — A pair of French painted beech framed bergère armchairs First half 20th century in the Louis XV style

66TP — A 19th century carved, painted and parcel gilt sofaIn the Regency style

67TP — A pair of late Victorian low chairsLate 19th century

68TP,Y — A Regency rosewood and cut-brass inlaid sofaEarly 19th century

69 — A collection of four late 19th century turquoise glazed and gilt heightened figural groups

70 — Two similar Derbyshire Blue John fluorspar ovoid door stops Early 20th century

71TP — A pair of gilt bronze mounted verde antico marble garniture vase lamp basesIn the Louis XVI style

72TP — A pair of gilt bronze mounted verde antico marble garniture lamp basesIn the Louis XVI style

73 — A French late 19th century gilt bronze and Sèvres-style porcelain garniture urn, adapted as a lamp base

74 — Auguste Moreau (French, 1834-1917): a late 19th century patinated bronze figural urn

75TP — A pair of gilt bronze mounted veined rouge marble garniture urn lamp basesIn the Louis XVI style, probably early 20th century

76TP — A large 20th century Aubusson-style machine made carpetFrench 681cm x 358cm

77TP — An early 20th century red Japanned bergère suiteEnd of the first quarter 20th century, attributed to Hille

78 — Edwin Earp(British, 19th/20th Century)Highland scenes

79 — Henry Thomas Schafer, RBA(British, 1854-1915)San Miguel Xeres de la Frontera

80 — William Anslow Thornbery(British, 1847-1907) alias 'Thornley'A fresh breeze off Boulogne

81 — A George III silk embroidered sampler of England and Wales By Anne Whateley Willeats, dated 1795

82TP — A French late 19th century kingwood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted centre tableBy François Linke (1855-1946)

83TP — A French late 19th century kingwood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted centre tableAttributed to François Linke (1855-1946)

84TP — A lapis lazuli and gilt brass mounted low table20th century, in the Empire style

85TP — A 19th century burr walnut, sycamore, marquetry and gilt metal mounted centre tableAttributed to Holland & Sons, circa 1860

86TP,Y — A late 19th century ebonised walnut, fruitwood marquetry, mother-of-pearl inlaid, and gilt metal mounted side tableIn the Louis XV style

87TP,Y — A late 19th century ebonised walnut, fruitwood marquetry, mother-of-pearl and bone inlaid card tableIn the Louis XV style

88TP — A carved giltwood and composition pelmet with stiff upholstered canape, together with a pair of curtains

89TP — A set of four pairs of yellow moire silk, lined and interlined curtains

90TP — A black and gilt Japanned bureau cabinetParts 18th century and later

91TP — Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988): a rare early printed lacquer and tole 'Panoplie' TrumeauItalian, circa 1950, for Fornasetti Milano

92TP — Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988): an early printed lacquer and tole 'Architettura' trumeauItalian, circa 1959, in collaboration with Gio Ponti

93AR — John Bratby R.A.(British, 1928-1992)Self-portrait with Fingerprints

94AR — Brian Shields(Braaq) (British, 1951-1997)"I'll Stuff You Billins"

95AR — Brian Shields(Braaq) (British, 1951-1997)Town at Winter

96TP — An Italian lacquered goat skin coffee table Attributed to Aldo Tura (1909-1963)

Specialist contacts

Ella Jerman-Riddell

Charlie Thomas

Madeleine Cater

Shipping (UK)

News and stories

Bonhams Magazine | If Walls Could Talk | The Many Lives of Kerfield House

Bonhams to Offer The Contents of Kerfield House

Additional information

Auction information

Lot Symbols

Related Departments

Conditions of Sale

49^TP —
Two sets of Edwardian nests of tables
Early 20th century

50^TP —
A George II walnut, crossbanded and feather banded bureau
Mid-18th century and later

51^TP —
A George III and later polychrome decorated mahogany card table
Late 18th century

52^TP —
An early 20th century red Japanned side cabinet in the Chinese Chippendale style
Attributed to Hille

53^TP —
A French carved giltwood three panel screen
Early 20th century, in the Louis XVI style

54^TP —
A late 19th century carved giltwood fireside footstool
In the Louis XV style

55^TP —
A pair of bronzed metal and verde antico garniture urns, adapted as table lamp bases

56^TP —
A large mahogany and brass mounted peat bucket
In the Irish George III style

57^TP —
A pair of carved giltwood pole screens
Late 19th century

58^TP —
A large steel and brass club fender

59^TP —
A French late 19th century gilt bronze and figural kerb fender
In the Louis XVI style

60^TP —
A French late 19th century kingwood and gilt bronze mounted fire screen

61^TP —
A late 19th / early 20th century gilt brass and mesh fire screen
In the Louis XV style

62^TP —
A mahogany and brass mounted peat bucket
In the Irish George III style

63^TP —
A French early 20th century beech framed day bed
In the Louis XV style

64^TP —
A pair of French early 20th century beech framed porters bergères
In the Louis XV style

65^TP —
A pair of French painted beech framed bergère armchairs
First half 20th century in the Louis XV style

66^TP —
A 19th century carved, painted and parcel gilt sofa
In the Regency style

67^TP —
A pair of late Victorian low chairs
Late 19th century

68^TP,Y —
A Regency rosewood and cut-brass inlaid sofa
Early 19th century

69 —
A collection of four late 19th century turquoise glazed and gilt heightened figural groups

70 —
Two similar Derbyshire Blue John fluorspar ovoid door stops
Early 20th century

71^TP —
A pair of gilt bronze mounted verde antico marble garniture vase lamp bases
In the Louis XVI style

72^TP —
A pair of gilt bronze mounted verde antico marble garniture lamp bases
In the Louis XVI style

73 —
A French late 19th century gilt bronze and Sèvres-style porcelain garniture urn, adapted as a lamp base

74 —
Auguste Moreau (French, 1834-1917): a late 19th century patinated bronze figural urn

75^TP —
A pair of gilt bronze mounted veined rouge marble garniture urn lamp bases
In the Louis XVI style, probably early 20th century

76^TP —
A large 20th century Aubusson-style machine made carpet
French 681cm x 358cm

77^TP —
An early 20th century red Japanned bergère suite
End of the first quarter 20th century, attributed to Hille

78 —
Edwin Earp
(British, 19th/20th Century)
Highland scenes

79 —
Henry Thomas Schafer, RBA
(British, 1854-1915)
San Miguel Xeres de la Frontera

80 —
William Anslow Thornbery
(British, 1847-1907) alias 'Thornley'
A fresh breeze off Boulogne

81 —
A George III silk embroidered sampler of England and Wales
By Anne Whateley Willeats, dated 1795

82^TP —
A French late 19th century kingwood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted centre table
By François Linke (1855-1946)

83^TP —
A French late 19th century kingwood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted centre table
Attributed to François Linke (1855-1946)

84^TP —
A lapis lazuli and gilt brass mounted low table
20th century, in the Empire style

85^TP —
A 19th century burr walnut, sycamore, marquetry and gilt metal mounted centre table
Attributed to Holland & Sons, circa 1860

86^TP,Y —
A late 19th century ebonised walnut, fruitwood marquetry, mother-of-pearl inlaid, and gilt metal mounted side table
In the Louis XV style

87^TP,Y —
A late 19th century ebonised walnut, fruitwood marquetry, mother-of-pearl and bone inlaid card table
In the Louis XV style

88^TP —
A carved giltwood and composition pelmet with stiff upholstered canape, together with a pair of curtains

89^TP —
A set of four pairs of yellow moire silk, lined and interlined curtains

90^TP —
A black and gilt Japanned bureau cabinet
Parts 18th century and later

91^TP —
Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988): a rare early printed lacquer and tole 'Panoplie' Trumeau
Italian, circa 1950, for Fornasetti Milano

92^TP —
Piero Fornasetti (Italian, 1913-1988): an early printed lacquer and tole 'Architettura' trumeau
Italian, circa 1959, in collaboration with Gio Ponti

93^AR —
John Bratby R.A.
(British, 1928-1992)
Self-portrait with Fingerprints

94^AR —
Brian Shields
(Braaq) (British, 1951-1997)
"I'll Stuff You Billins"

95^AR —
Brian Shields
(Braaq) (British, 1951-1997)
Town at Winter

96^TP —
An Italian lacquered goat skin coffee table
Attributed to Aldo Tura (1909-1963)