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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

How to buy

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

97 — A set of three French floral needlework cushionsThe silk 19th century, later made in to cushions

98 — A good and impressive mid-19th century Giant English hour striking and repeating carriage clock Barwise, London

99AR — Feliks Topolski(Polish, 1907-1989)London Suite 6

100 — A collection of Wemyss waresLate 19th century and later

101 — A collection of Wemyss waresEarly 20th century

102 — An Irish cut and moulded glass tazzaLate 19th century

103TP — A Regency style occasional table, previously belonging to Nancy Lancaster19th century and later

104TP — A prototype occasional table designed by Nancy LancasterThird quarter 20th century incorporating earlier elements

105 — Nancy Lancaster's 9 carat gold and gold-mounted travelling leather vanity caseThe gold marked NM, London 1920

106 — A pair of alabaster, moulded and cut glass, and gilt metal candlesticks adapted into lamp bases belonging to Nancy Lancaster Early 20th century and later

107 — Twelve Coalport plates belonging to Nancy LancasterCirca 1810

108 — Lady Glenconner's silver Parker fountain pen, together with a signed copy of her 2019 autobiography Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown

109TP — A pair of French mid-19th century carved giltwood console tablesIn the Rococo style

110TP,Y — A Louis XIV stained tortoiseshell, gilt-brass mounted and cut brass inlaid bureau mazarinPossibly attributable to Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731), circa 1700 and later

111TP — A French kingwood, tulipwood, gilt bronze and enamel mounted occasional tableThe central grisaille plaque made by Jacques-Joseph de Gault (France, 1738 -1812)

112TP — A Louis XV kingwood, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted table en chiffonnièreCirca 1761 and later, made by Louis Moreau (1740-1802) after the model by Bernard van Risen Burgh (known as B.V.R.B)

113TP — A French second half 19th century kingwood, gilt bronze and Sèvres mounted guéridon In the Louis XV style

114TP — A French early 20th century bois satine and gilt metal mounted occasional tableIn the Louis XV style

115 — A set of four George III silver gilt dishes Thomas Robins, London 1810 (4)

116 — A pair of George VI Asprey silver partridges Asprey & Co Ltd., London 1939 (2)

117 — Two Victorian silver-gilt christening mugs One George Ivory, London 1851; the other John Samuel Hunt, London 1872 (2)

118 — A late 17th century German silver-gilt tumbler cup Samuel Schneeweiss (Master 1670, died 1698), Augsburg

119 — A matched pair of late 18th century silver casters With pseudo Dutch marks (2)

120 — A pair of George III silver salvers Paul Storr, London, 1818 (2)

121 — A pair of George III silver salvers John Parker I & Edward Wakelin, London 1766 (3)

122 — A pair of George III silver sauce boats Samuel Hennell, London 1813 (2)

123 — Of Eton College interest: a George V silver presentation trophy William Hutton & Sons Ltd, Birmingham 1915 (2)

124 — A matched George III cased set of six silver salt cellars Four marked Robert Hennell I, London 1777 and two marked Thomas Daniell, London 1779 (12)

125 — A pair of George III silver sauce boats Sebastian & James Crespell, London 1763 (2)

126 — A pair of George III silver wine coasters William Burwash and Richard Sibley, London 1809 (2)

127 — A set of three George IV silver shell butter dishes Thomas Burwash, London, 1822 (3)

129 — Edwin Williams(British, active 1843-1875)Portrait of Lieutenant General Sir Charles Napier (1782–1853) and his Arab Charger 'Red Rover' in a landscape with palm trees

130TP — A very near matched set of four French gilt bronze twin branch wall lights19th century and later in the Louis XVI style, in the manner of François Rémond (1747-1812)

131 — Of Grand Tour interest: two Italian late 19th century Siena marble models of the Trajan and Marcus Aurelius (Antonia) Column

132 — Of Grand Tour interest: two Italian 19th century Siena marble models of the Temples of Vespasian and Castor and Pollux

133 — A large pair of Italian 19th century marble obelisks

134 — A pair of gilt-bronze mounted porcelain candlesticksMid-18th century with 19th century gilt bronze mounts

135TP — A French 19th century gilt bronze and brass peacock fire screen

136 — A good late 18th century Louis XVI gilt-bronze striking cartel clock Regnault, Paris

137TP,Y — A George III satinwood, rosewood crossbanded, purplewood and boxwood strung, and polychrome decorated pier tableFourth quarter 18th century

138TP — A 19th century purplewood, sycamore, mahogany, fruitwood parquetry and gilt brass mounted work tableIn the Louis XVI style and in the manner of Adam Weisweiler (1744-1820)

139TP — A fine mid-19th century tulipwood, purplewood banded, holly, sycamore parquetry, marquetry and gilt bronze mounted 'mechanical' table à écrireIn the Louis XVI style possibly made by Blake of London after the Martin Carlin (c.1730–1785) Longleat table à écrire

140TP,Y — A pair of Directoire mahogany, satinwood, rosewood and gilt bronze mounted vide pochesFrench, early 19th century

141TP — A late 19th century kingwood, bois satine, parquetry, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted occasional tableAttributed to Donald Ross (British, 1830-1916), in the Louis XVI style

142TP — A French kingwood, gilt brass, marble and porcelain mounted guéridon 19th century, in the Louis XVI style

143TP — A French gilt brass, satinwood and purplewood banded, marble and porcelain mounted guéridon19th century, in the Louis XVI style

144TP — A Louis XVI tulipwood, purplewood, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted rafraichissoir

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

97 —
A set of three French floral needlework cushions
The silk 19th century, later made in to cushions

98 —
A good and impressive mid-19th century Giant English hour striking and repeating carriage clock
Barwise, London

99^AR —
Feliks Topolski
(Polish, 1907-1989)
London Suite 6

100 —
A collection of Wemyss wares
Late 19th century and later

101 —
A collection of Wemyss wares
Early 20th century

102 —
An Irish cut and moulded glass tazza
Late 19th century

103^TP —
A Regency style occasional table, previously belonging to Nancy Lancaster
19th century and later

104^TP —
A prototype occasional table designed by Nancy Lancaster
Third quarter 20th century incorporating earlier elements

105 —
Nancy Lancaster's 9 carat gold and gold-mounted travelling leather vanity case
The gold marked NM, London 1920

106 —
A pair of alabaster, moulded and cut glass, and gilt metal candlesticks adapted into lamp bases belonging to Nancy Lancaster
Early 20th century and later

107 —
Twelve Coalport plates belonging to Nancy Lancaster
Circa 1810

108 —
Lady Glenconner's silver Parker fountain pen, together with a signed copy of her 2019 autobiography Lady in Waiting: My Extraordinary Life in the Shadow of the Crown

109^TP —
A pair of French mid-19th century carved giltwood console tables
In the Rococo style

110^TP,Y —
A Louis XIV stained tortoiseshell, gilt-brass mounted and cut brass inlaid bureau mazarin
Possibly attributable to Nicolas Sageot (1666-1731), circa 1700 and later

111^TP —
A French kingwood, tulipwood, gilt bronze and enamel mounted occasional table
The central grisaille plaque made by Jacques-Joseph de Gault (France, 1738 -1812)

112^TP —
A Louis XV kingwood, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted table en chiffonnière
Circa 1761 and later, made by Louis Moreau (1740-1802) after the model by Bernard van Risen Burgh (known as B.V.R.B)

113^TP —
A French second half 19th century kingwood, gilt bronze and Sèvres mounted guéridon
In the Louis XV style

114^TP —
A French early 20th century bois satine and gilt metal mounted occasional table
In the Louis XV style

115 —
A set of four George III silver gilt dishes
Thomas Robins, London 1810 (4)

116 —
A pair of George VI Asprey silver partridges
Asprey & Co Ltd., London 1939 (2)

117 —
Two Victorian silver-gilt christening mugs
One George Ivory, London 1851; the other John Samuel Hunt, London 1872 (2)

118 —
A late 17th century German silver-gilt tumbler cup
Samuel Schneeweiss (Master 1670, died 1698), Augsburg

119 —
A matched pair of late 18th century silver casters
With pseudo Dutch marks (2)

120 —
A pair of George III silver salvers
Paul Storr, London, 1818 (2)

121 —
A pair of George III silver salvers
John Parker I & Edward Wakelin, London 1766 (3)

122 —
A pair of George III silver sauce boats
Samuel Hennell, London 1813 (2)

123 —
Of Eton College interest: a George V silver presentation trophy
William Hutton & Sons Ltd, Birmingham 1915 (2)

124 —
A matched George III cased set of six silver salt cellars
Four marked Robert Hennell I, London 1777 and two marked Thomas Daniell, London 1779 (12)

125 —
A pair of George III silver sauce boats
Sebastian & James Crespell, London 1763 (2)

126 —
A pair of George III silver wine coasters
William Burwash and Richard Sibley, London 1809 (2)

127 —
A set of three George IV silver shell butter dishes
Thomas Burwash, London, 1822 (3)

129 —
Edwin Williams
(British, active 1843-1875)
Portrait of Lieutenant General Sir Charles Napier (1782–1853) and his Arab Charger 'Red Rover' in a landscape with palm trees

130^TP —
A very near matched set of four French gilt bronze twin branch wall lights
19th century and later in the Louis XVI style, in the manner of François Rémond (1747-1812)

131 —
Of Grand Tour interest: two Italian late 19th century Siena marble models of the Trajan and Marcus Aurelius (Antonia) Column

132 —
Of Grand Tour interest: two Italian 19th century Siena marble models of the Temples of Vespasian and Castor and Pollux

133 —
A large pair of Italian 19th century marble obelisks

134 —
A pair of gilt-bronze mounted porcelain candlesticks
Mid-18th century with 19th century gilt bronze mounts

135^TP —
A French 19th century gilt bronze and brass peacock fire screen

136 —
A good late 18th century Louis XVI gilt-bronze striking cartel clock
Regnault, Paris

137^TP,Y —
A George III satinwood, rosewood crossbanded, purplewood and boxwood strung, and polychrome decorated pier table
Fourth quarter 18th century

138^TP —
A 19th century purplewood, sycamore, mahogany, fruitwood parquetry and gilt brass mounted work table
In the Louis XVI style and in the manner of Adam Weisweiler (1744-1820)

139^TP —
A fine mid-19th century tulipwood, purplewood banded, holly, sycamore parquetry, marquetry and gilt bronze mounted 'mechanical' table à écrire
In the Louis XVI style possibly made by Blake of London after the Martin Carlin (c.1730–1785) Longleat table à écrire

140^TP,Y —
A pair of Directoire mahogany, satinwood, rosewood and gilt bronze mounted vide poches
French, early 19th century

141^TP —
A late 19th century kingwood, bois satine, parquetry, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted occasional table
Attributed to Donald Ross (British, 1830-1916), in the Louis XVI style

142^TP —
A French kingwood, gilt brass, marble and porcelain mounted guéridon
19th century, in the Louis XVI style

143^TP —
A French gilt brass, satinwood and purplewood banded, marble and porcelain mounted guéridon
19th century, in the Louis XVI style

144^TP —
A Louis XVI tulipwood, purplewood, gilt bronze and porcelain mounted rafraichissoir