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Lady Glenconner, My Life in Objects & A Farquhar Legacy

19 November 2025 | starting at 14:00 GMT

Due to an external internet service issue affecting various companies worldwide, we believe that it is in the best interest of our clients to delay the auction by 24 hours to ensure the best possible client experience. We will therefore be commencing the auction at 14:00 GMT tomorrow, 19 November 2025, in our New Bond Street galleries

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Bonhams is delighted to offer Lady Glenconner: My Life in Objects, a selection of highlights from the personal collection of Lady Glenconner. From being Maid of Honour at the Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II and, later, Lady in Waiting to her childhood friend Princess Margaret, to hosting rockstars on her husband's private island of Mustique, Lady Glenconner has lived an extraordinary life.

Through this carefully curated selection of lots her story of royalty, glamour, and a roller-coaster marriage is told. Lots include Old Master heirlooms, to a gold Cartier box gifted to Lady Glenconner by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, and a ballgown worn to the legendary Peacock Ball on Mustique.

Of the sale, Lady Glenconner says: I have had such great pleasure living with these wonderful objects, each telling their own fascinating story and I am delighted that they will soon be going on to new homes, and their stories will enter a new chapter.

Sold alongside this collection is A Farquhar Legacy, a family collection which has passed down through the generations. Sir Walter Rockcliffe Farquhar (1810-1900) was a senior partner at the private bank Herries, Farquhar & Co. which was noted for pioneering circular notes (the precursor to the traveller's cheque) and for becoming leading financiers to Britain's aristocracy and gentry.

Following the Napoleonic Wars, the bank invested in French bonds and is thought to have established connections with Napoleon III, also known as Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. According to family tradition, the deposed Emperor was accommodated by the Farquhar family at their London residence in Eaton Square, before moving to lodgings in St James's Street. It is reputed that, unable to repay the loan by conventional means, Napoleon III presented the family, in gratitude for their safe haven, with valuables from prominent French royal palaces. These were, according to family history, transported by bullock carts through Northern France then delivered across the Channel to Britain.

Live Auction

London, New Bond Street

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Auction highlights

An exceptional Lombard early 19th century purplewood, mahogany, rosewood, tulipwood, maple and marquetry commode by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814) Circa 1805-1810, Parabiago. Estimate: £50,000 - £80,000

Victor Pasmore R.A. (British, 1908-1998) The Painting Lesson 50.8 x 61 cm. (20 x 24 in.) (Painted in 1939). Estimate: £30,000 - £50,000

Eliot Hodgkin (British, 1905-1987) Eight Feather II. Estimate: £10,000 - £15,000

Samuel de Wilde (London 1751-1832) Portraits of Georgian actors: Charles Farley, Henry Johnston, Nanette Johnston, George Cooke, Samuel Simmons, John Quick and John Fawcett ((7)). Estimate: £6,000 - £10,000

A 9 carat gold Cartier box given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Jacques Cartier, London, 1954, engraved 'Cartier London', incuse stamped 'W' (2). Estimate: £4,000 - £6,000

Circle of Gasparo Lopez (Naples 1650-1732 Florence) Still lifes of roses, chrysanthemums, narcissi and other flowers in bronze urns on stone ledges ( (2)). Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000

A fine set of four George III carved giltwood armchairsIn the manner of Henry Holland, possibly by James Newton, circa 1790 (4). Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000

A George III satinwood, rosewood crossbanded, boxwood and ebony line inlaid serpentine chestCirca 1785. Estimate: £3,000 - £5,000

Of Swedish Royal interest: a Swedish white enamel and silver gilt box W. A. Bolin, Stockholm 1917 (2). Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500

A pair of Victorian simulated bamboo and painted bedside cupboardsThird quarter 19th century, in the Chinese taste (2). Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500

Specialist contacts

Ella Jerman-Riddell

Sale Coordinator

Tel: +44 20 7468 8359

Ella.Jerman-Riddell@bonhams.com

Madeleine Cater

Associate Specialist

Tel: +44 20 7468 5895

Madeleine.Cater@bonhams.com

Charlie Thomas

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

Tel: +44 20 7468 8358

Charlie.Thomas@bonhams.com

Bids (UK)

Tel: +44 20 7447 7447

bids@bonhams.com

News and stories

Read Story

Additional information

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.
•	Exempt from VAT
	Zero rated for VAT, no VAT will be added to the Hammer Price or the Buyer's Premium.
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.

Lady Glenconner, My Life in Objects & A Farquhar Legacy

Auction highlights

Lot gallery

1 — A Derby centrepieceCirca 1765

2 — A set of three Meissen shallow bowls, mid-18th century

3 — A group of Meissen plates and dishes, second half 18th century

4 — A group of Meissen plates, second half 18th century

5 — An assembled Holkham Pottery white and gilt decorated tea and breakfast serviceThird quarter 20th century

6 — A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs Third quarter 20th century

7 — A pair of cloisonné enamel Gu-Form vases Qianlong

8 — A Chinese blue and white charger Kangxi

9 — A German porcelain flower box and cover, 18th or 19th century

10 — A pair of Royal Copenhagen glass coolers, circa 1870-90

11 — A Samson porcelain mouse bonbonnière, late 19th century

12 — A Chelsea cos lettuce tureen and cover, circa 1755

13 — A pair of Royal Worcester vases, circa 1880

14 — A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI Second quarter 20th century and earlier

15• — ROXBURGHE CLUB HASSALL (W. O., editor). The Holkham Library: Illuminations and Illustrations in the Manuscript Library of the Earl of Leicester, Oxford, Printed for Presentation to the Members of the Roxburghe Club, 1970

16TP — A fine set of four George III carved giltwood armchairsIn the manner of Henry Holland, possibly by James Newton, circa 1790

17 — Samuel de Wilde(London 1751-1832)Portraits of Georgian actors: Charles Farley, Henry Johnston, Nanette Johnston, George Cooke, Samuel Simmons, John Quick and John Fawcett

18 — Circle of Gasparo Lopez(Naples 1650-1732 Florence)Still lifes of roses, tulips, chrysanthemums and other flowers in bronze urns on stone ledges

19 — Circle of Gasparo Lopez(Naples 1650-1732 Florence)Still lifes of roses, chrysanthemums, narcissi and other flowers in bronze urns on stone ledges

20AR — Cecil Beaton(British, 1904-1980)The Queen with her Maids of Honour

21AR — Terence Cuneo(British, 1907-1996)The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, June 2, 1953

22 — Sir Norman Hartnell (British, 1901-1979): Lady Glenconner's wedding dress 1956

23AR — Antony Armstrong-Jones(Lord Snowdon) (British, 1930-2017)Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner

24AR — Cecil Beaton(British, 1904-1980)Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner, with her bridesmaids: Catherine Tennant and Juliet Harvey

25AR — Cecil Beaton(British, 1904-1980)Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner

26 — A 9 carat gold Cartier box given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II Jacques Cartier, London, 1954, engraved 'Cartier London', incuse stamped 'W' (2)

27 — An Elizabeth II silver and gilt compact mirror given to Lady Glenconner by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother James Geraghty, Birmingham 1962 (2)

28 — A matched set of seven Victorian silver-gilt salt cellars Benjamin Preston, London, four marked 1838 and two marked 1864 (7)

29 — Of Swedish Royal interest: a Swedish white enamel and silver gilt box W. A. Bolin, Stockholm 1917 (2)

30 — A George V silver and silver-gilt Scots Guards compact belonging to Elizabeth, 5th Countess of Leicester Ramsden & Roed, London 1933 (2)

31 — A George IV silver gilt box Probably Joseph Willmore, Birmingham 1822

32 — A pair of Victorian silver-gilt salts given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret Robert Harper, London 1864 (4)

33 — A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret

34Y — A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines

35TP,Y — An exceptional Lombard early 19th century purplewood, mahogany, rosewood, tulipwood, maple and marquetry commode by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814) Circa 1805-1810, Parabiago

36TP — A French late 19th century carved giltwood and Chinese export silk four panel screenIn the Louis XVI style

37 — An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box

38Y — A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket Circa 1870

39 — Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'

40 — A silvered bronze cockatoo Early 20th century, probably Austrian

41 — A bronze model of a terrier head Early 20th century, probably Austrian

42 — A collection of green glass Late 19th century and later

43AR — Eliot Hodgkin(British, 1905-1987)Eight Feather II

44AR — Attributed to Campbell Archibald Mellon(British, 1876-1955)At the Beach

45AR — Campbell Archibald Mellon(British, 1876-1955)Approaching Storm, Easton Broad Southwold

46AR — Victor Pasmore R.A.(British, 1908-1998)The Painting Lesson 50.8 x 61 cm. (20 x 24 in.)

47TP — A French late 19th century beech fauteuilIn the Louis XV style

48TP,Y — Lady Glenconner's writing desk: a late 19th century kingwood, rosewood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted bureau platIn the Louis XVI style

Specialist contacts

Ella Jerman-Riddell

Madeleine Cater

Charlie Thomas

Bids (UK)

News and stories

Lady Anne Glenconner: My Life in Objects

A Farquhar Legacy: Aristocratic Treasures with Ties to Napoleon III Offered at Bonhams New Bond Street

Bonhams to Offer Highlights From The Collection of Lady Glenconner

Additional information

Auction information

Lot Symbols

Related Departments

Auction Viewings

Conditions of Sale

1 —
A Derby centrepiece
Circa 1765

2 —
A set of three Meissen shallow bowls, mid-18th century

3 —
A group of Meissen plates and dishes, second half 18th century

4 —
A group of Meissen plates, second half 18th century

5 —
An assembled Holkham Pottery white and gilt decorated tea and breakfast service
Third quarter 20th century

6 —
A set of three Holkham Pottery wine jugs
Third quarter 20th century

7 —
A pair of cloisonné enamel Gu-Form vases
Qianlong

8 —
A Chinese blue and white charger
Kangxi

9 —
A German porcelain flower box and cover, 18th or 19th century

10 —
A pair of Royal Copenhagen glass coolers, circa 1870-90

11 —
A Samson porcelain mouse bonbonnière, late 19th century

12 —
A Chelsea cos lettuce tureen and cover, circa 1755

13 —
A pair of Royal Worcester vases, circa 1880

14 —
A collection of four commemorative glass bowls and plates including for the Coronation of King George VI
Second quarter 20th century and earlier

15^• —
ROXBURGHE CLUB
HASSALL (W. O., editor). The Holkham Library: Illuminations and Illustrations in the Manuscript Library of the Earl of Leicester, Oxford, Printed for Presentation to the Members of the Roxburghe Club, 1970

16^TP —
A fine set of four George III carved giltwood armchairs
In the manner of Henry Holland, possibly by James Newton, circa 1790

17 —
Samuel de Wilde
(London 1751-1832)
Portraits of Georgian actors: Charles Farley, Henry Johnston, Nanette Johnston, George Cooke, Samuel Simmons, John Quick and John Fawcett

18 —
Circle of Gasparo Lopez
(Naples 1650-1732 Florence)
Still lifes of roses, tulips, chrysanthemums and other flowers in bronze urns on stone ledges

19 —
Circle of Gasparo Lopez
(Naples 1650-1732 Florence)
Still lifes of roses, chrysanthemums, narcissi and other flowers in bronze urns on stone ledges

20^AR —
Cecil Beaton
(British, 1904-1980)
The Queen with her Maids of Honour

21^AR —
Terence Cuneo
(British, 1907-1996)
The Coronation of Queen Elizabeth II in Westminster Abbey, June 2, 1953

22 —
Sir Norman Hartnell (British, 1901-1979): Lady Glenconner's wedding dress
1956

23^AR —
Antony Armstrong-Jones
(Lord Snowdon) (British, 1930-2017)
Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner

24^AR —
Cecil Beaton
(British, 1904-1980)
Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner, with her bridesmaids: Catherine Tennant and Juliet Harvey

25^AR —
Cecil Beaton
(British, 1904-1980)
Lady Anne Coke on her wedding day to Colin Tennant, 3rd Baron Glenconner

26 —
A 9 carat gold Cartier box given by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II
Jacques Cartier, London, 1954, engraved 'Cartier London', incuse stamped 'W' (2)

27 —
An Elizabeth II silver and gilt compact mirror given to Lady Glenconner by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother
James Geraghty, Birmingham 1962 (2)

28 —
A matched set of seven Victorian silver-gilt salt cellars
Benjamin Preston, London, four marked 1838 and two marked 1864 (7)

29 —
Of Swedish Royal interest: a Swedish white enamel and silver gilt box
W. A. Bolin, Stockholm 1917 (2)

30 —
A George V silver and silver-gilt Scots Guards compact belonging to Elizabeth, 5th Countess of Leicester
Ramsden & Roed, London 1933 (2)

31 —
A George IV silver gilt box
Probably Joseph Willmore, Birmingham 1822

32 —
A pair of Victorian silver-gilt salts given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret
Robert Harper, London 1864 (4)

33 —
A white metal shell and dolphin salt given to Lady Glenconner by Princess Margaret

34^Y —
A pair of mother of pearl, yellow metal and gem-set dishes given to Lady Glenconner by Imelda Marcos during a visit to the Philippines

35^TP,Y —
An exceptional Lombard early 19th century purplewood, mahogany, rosewood, tulipwood, maple and marquetry commode by Giuseppe Maggiolini (1738-1814)
Circa 1805-1810, Parabiago

36^TP —
A French late 19th century carved giltwood and Chinese export silk four panel screen
In the Louis XVI style

37 —
An early 19th century satin-birch, 'mulberry wood', ebonised and mother of pearl vanity and sewing box

38^Y —
A French second half 19th century red stained tortoiseshell, cut brass inlaid and gilt metal mounted 'Boulle' casket
Circa 1870

39 —
Sir Alfred Gilbert, M.V.O., R.A (British 1854-1934): a patinated bronze figure of 'An Offering to Hymen'

40 —
A silvered bronze cockatoo
Early 20th century, probably Austrian

41 —
A bronze model of a terrier head
Early 20th century, probably Austrian

42 —
A collection of green glass
Late 19th century and later

43^AR —
Eliot Hodgkin
(British, 1905-1987)
Eight Feather II

44^AR —
Attributed to Campbell Archibald Mellon
(British, 1876-1955)
At the Beach

45^AR —
Campbell Archibald Mellon
(British, 1876-1955)
Approaching Storm, Easton Broad Southwold

46^AR —
Victor Pasmore R.A.
(British, 1908-1998)
The Painting Lesson 50.8 x 61 cm. (20 x 24 in.)

47^TP —
A French late 19th century beech fauteuil
In the Louis XV style

48^TP,Y —
Lady Glenconner's writing desk: a late 19th century kingwood, rosewood, parquetry and gilt bronze mounted bureau plat
In the Louis XVI style