Auction items have fascinating history
THERE will be a rare opportunity to take home a piece of Sark's feudal history next month as some contents of the Seigneur's house are auctioned.
Martel Maides Auctions is managing the sale under instruction from the Seigneur, Michael Beaumont, and the trustees of The Dame Sibyl Hathaway Trust.
Officially known as La Seigneurie, the 17th-century manor house has been home to Seigneurs since 1730, playing host to many dignitaries in that time including royalty.
The Seigneur and Mrs Beaumont are, for reasons of health and mobility, moving to a smaller and more manageable house on their estate.
La Seigneurie is being let on a fixed-term lease with vacant possession so that Mr Beaumont's heir can take possession on his retirement.
Chattels belonging to the family and those held in La Seigneurie belonging to Dame Sibyl Hathaway's trust that are surplus to present requirements and impractical to store are to be sold.
The gardens and grounds were placed in a trust earlier this year for the benefit of the island.
James Bridges of Martel Maides Auctions said that more than 300 lots including furniture, paintings, silver, works of art, maps, books and porcelain will go under the hammer.
'Many of the items were in the property during the tenure of the late Dame Sibyl Hathaway of Sark, which includes the period of the German Occupation.
'Some pieces have fascinating stories behind them,' he said. 
THERE will be a rare opportunity to take home a piece of Sark's
feudal history next month as some contents of the Seigneur's house are
auctioned. 
Martel Maides Auctions is managing the sale under instruction from
the Seigneur, Michael Beaumont, and the trustees of The Dame Sibyl
Hathaway Trust.
Officially known as La Seigneurie, the 17th-century manor house has
been home to Seigneurs since 1730, playing host to many dignitaries in
that time including royalty.
The Seigneur and Mrs Beaumont are, for reasons of health and
mobility, moving to a smaller and more manageable house on their
estate.
La Seigneurie is being let on a fixed-term lease with vacant
possession so that Mr Beaumont's heir can take possession on his
retirement.
Chattels belonging to the family and those held in La Seigneurie
belonging to Dame Sibyl Hathaway's trust that are surplus to present
requirements and impractical to store are to be sold.
The gardens and grounds were placed in a trust earlier this year for the benefit of the island.
James Bridges of Martel Maides Auctions said that more than 300 lots
including furniture, paintings, silver, works of art, maps, books and
porcelain will go under the hammer.
'Many of the items were in the property during the tenure of the
late Dame Sibyl Hathaway of Sark, which includes the period of the
German Occupation.
'Some pieces have fascinating stories behind them,' he said.
'There is a Regency-style dining table and Royal Doulton porcelain dinner service which were used during royal visits.'
Other highlights of the sale include rare watercolour paintings by 19th-century Channel Islands artists Paul Jacob Naftel and Isabel Oakley as well as a pair of late 18th-century library globes by Bardin and a 1920s Louis Vuitton trunk.
A set of 13 Regency chairs and an 18th-century silver chalice will also be sold.
'With estimates ranging from just £20 up to £8,000, lots will be accessible to all and therefore represent an opportunity for all bidders, irrespective of budget, to take home a piece of Sark's history,' said Mr Bridges.
nÊThe auction will be held at Martel Maides Auctions' sale room in Cornet Street, St Peter Port, on 15 October. All enquiries should be directed to either James Bridges or Norman Wilkinson on 01481 722700 or to auctions@martelmaides.co.uk.
