George Farrow's antiques collection sells for £1 million

Art and antiques from Anne Port have sold for more than £1 million at auction in London.

In his later life, George Farrow turned his beach-side home into a private museum, where he displayed his collection of rare silks, tapestries and ornaments. 

Farrow, became one of Britain's largest private landlords during the post-war property boom. When he retired, the Londoner travelled the globe collecting works of art, before settling in Jersey. 

567 lots went under the hammer last Tuesday (4 June).

WATCH: George Farrow's rare antiques collection goes to auction

 

One of the standout lots was a 17th century North Italian marble relief of Marcus Curtius, which was purchased by a British private client for £91,240. It been estimated at £1,000-£1,500.

An Italian specimen marble and micromosaic table, attributed to Giacomo Raffaelli, also sold for £62,640 against an estimate of £25,000-£35,000.

On its top, it depicts a chaffinch guarding its nest of eggs from a mouse, surrounded by 160 radiating specimens arranged in concentric tapering bands.

       An Italian specimen marble and micromosaic table from the George Farrow Collection

Another highlight was the institutional sale of a North Italian dorsal tapestry depicting an allegory of Fortitude (Lot 203), which has been acquired by the Museo di Palazzo Ducale in Mantua, Italy.

The sale attracted 1,071 total bidders representing some 15 countries, demonstrating the global appeal of The George Farrow Collection.

Anna Evans, Head of Sale at Roseberys London, said she was happy with how the auction went: 

“It has been a privilege to have been entrusted with the sale of George Farrow’s eminent collection.

"The sale provided a window into one man’s life-long passion for collecting beautiful works of art from across the globe.

“Clients responded with heated bidding throughout the sale, led by Lot 45, a North Italian relief of Marcus Curtius, which sold for £91,240.

"We are also delighted to see the return to Mantua of the North Italian dorsal tapestry, which will be displayed in the Museo di Palazzo Ducale’s Hall of Arms in the castle's southeast tower, adjacent to the northeast tower that houses the Bridal Chamber."

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