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Our monthly auction of antiques in October 2022 contained just under 500 lots to include a great array of quality items, however, it was to be a rather unusual piece of furniture that would create quite the surprise in the auction.

Lot 362 in our October auction was a 19th century housekeepers cupboard with a central cupboard being flanked by 3 drawers either side and 4 panelled doors to top the section, fitted with brass handles and effects.

This example was unique due to the extremely large size of the piece, which was approximately 2.6 metres wide and 2.4 metres tall and considering it's age, the cupboard was in good condition due to the previous owner's commitment to look after such a grand piece of furniture. 

Having previously sold the majority of the contents of the vendor's Staffordshire farmhouse, we received a call approximately one year after our first visit to the property expressing their intentions to sell the cupboard which was believed to have been built inside the lounge, which is where this piece resided. Our valuer had expressed an interest in this magnificent cupboard from their first visit to the farm in June 2021 and recommended that an auction would be the most suitable place to sell the item due to it's obscure size.

With our global advertising, detailed condition reports and vast amount of photos, this piece attracted over 40 watchers and interested parties from across the globe, including serious interest from an Australian client as well as many similar prospective buyers in the UK.

After opening the bidding on auction day, the opening price instantly was £3500 which had already surpassed the modest estimate and after 103 bids, the Staffordshire housekeepers cupboard achieved a final hammer price of £5050 which the vendor described as a 'wonderful result' in what was a truly amazing auction surprise for all who watched the lot go under the hammer. 

Here at Leighton Hall Auctions, we do have a good customer base and high demand for country house furniture with our auctions also achieving strong results for similar pieces of furniture also.

If you have a single item or a full house contents to be valued for auction, please do get in touch for auction advice and complimentary valuations.