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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.

Auction highlights

Lot gallery

183 lots available

A fine early 20th century shagreen, ivory strung and carved silvered cabinet on standCirca 1925, in the William and Mary style, possibly attributable to Warring & Gillows and probably retailed by Asprey

A set of five late 19th century carved mahogany 'Ribband Back' chairsIn the manner of Thomas Chippendale

A French late 19th century ebonised, cut-brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted bureau de dameIn the manner of André-Charles Boulle (French, 1642-1732)

A French late 19th century carved giltwood fauteuil a bergèreIn the Louis XV style

A Directoire mahogany and brass inlaid card and writing tableEarly 19th century

An Italian 19th century walnut stoolIn the manner of Andrea Brustolon

A pair of Italian mid-20th century cherry wood armchairs In the manner of Paolo Buffa (Italian, 1903-1970)

A patinated bronze model of a bird of preyIn the Japanese nagi style

A near pair of Murano blue and clear glass 'Rostratti' vasesCirca 2020, signed S Signoretto

A French late 19th century kingwood, gilt metal and porcelain mounted Sèvres jardinièreIn the Louis XV style

A near pair of Murano green and clear glass 'Rostratti' vasesCirca 2020, signed S Signoretto

A French early 20th century gilt metal and pink veined marble figural clock garnitureIn the Louis XV style

A Victorian Gothic Revival walnut, burr walnut, ebonised and marquetry octagonal centre or library tableIn the manner of Charles Bevan (British, 1815-1891)

An Arts and Crafts oak and ebonised side cabinet Late 19th century, in the manner of Charles Bevan (1815 - 1891)

An early 20th century shagreen and ivory mounted dressing mirror

Thomas Stringer(Knutsford 1722-1790)Beauty, a dapple grey

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

A fine late 19th century satinwood, marquetry, rosewood crossbanded and gilt brass display cabinetAttributed to Wright and Mansfield

A French 19th century gilt bronze and cut glass figural centrepiece standThird quarter 19th century

A French late 19th century gilt and patinated bronze figural annular ring clock In the Louis XVI style

A collection of Royal Worcester porcelain, 20th century

A Victorian silver desk stand Martin, Hall & Co., Sheffield 1845 or 1858

A George IV silver three-piece tea service Richard Pearce & George Burrows, London 1828 (3)

A Victorian silver plated bottle stand 20th century (5)

A pair of Minton globular bottle vases, circa 1900

A selection of 20th century silver dishes and bowls Various dates and makers (4)

A late 19th century carved giltwood and composition overmantel mirror

A large late 19th century carved giltwood and gesso pier mirror

A fine set of twelve early 20th century mahogany dining chairsPossibly made by Warring and Gillows in the George II Chippendale style

A late 19th century Minton porcelain part dessert serviceDated 1871

A selection of eight miscellaneous novelty silver pieces Various makers and dates (9)

A selection of silver plated tableware 19th century / 20th century (10)

A late 19th century turquoise glazed earthenware stick stand in the Chinese taste

A mid-19th century French gilt and patinated bronze nine-light candelabrum

A pair of 19th century brass pricket candlesticksIn the 17th century style

A pair of French gilt, patinated bronze and malachite mounted six-light candelabra19th century and later

A 19th century carved marble bust of an emperorSigned to the back J S London 1847

An impressive French gilt bronze and cut brass inlaid tortoiseshell 'Boulle' bracket clock In the Louis XIV style

A pair of lead Campana urns Probably 18th century

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