Historic house to hold landmark sale
THE contents of Monreith House in Port William will go to auction this July in what’s being called a ‘landmark sale’.
It will be a chance for the public to snap up a piece of Scottish heritage, which “reflect the house’s rich history”.
Among the lots will be furniture, antiques, Old Master paintings, sculpture, armour, and carpets.
And probably the most unusual item will be the artificial wooden finger of Lady Jane Gordon, Duchess of Gordon. Her carved wooden prosthetic finger, accompanied by a letter recounting its history, is expected to sell for up to £200.
Bonhams will hold the two-part auction at its Edinburgh saleroom.
The sale titled ‘The Contents of Montreith House: A Historical Seat of Clan Maxwell’ will begin with a live auction on July 8 at the company’s Melville Crescent site.
A second online auction will open for bidding starting on the June 25 and ending on July 9.
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Charles Graham-Campbell, director Bonhams Scotland, said: “It is a privilege for Bonhams to handle the auction of the contents of Monreith House.
“Spanning over 500 years, the stories of these objects and their owners include politicians, soldiers and sailors, artists and authors, all connected to a wide network of families across Scotland and England.”
Dr Nicholas Courtney, author and longstanding friend of the late Sir William Maxwell, added: “There can be few houses like Monreith, along with its historic contents, that have been sold for the first time in 250 years – and the estate a hundred years before that.”
Overlooking the White Loch near Newton Stewart, Monreith House is an elegant Georgian residence. It was commissioned in 1791 by Sir William Maxwell, 4th Baronet and designed by the architect Alexander Stevens.
The house is closely tied to the Maxwell family, whose history stretches back to the 12th century. Over generations, members of the Monreith branch have played notable roles in political, military, and literary life.
Sale highlights*Clifton Tomson’s The St Leger Stakes on Doncaster Course in gilt frame. Estimated at £8000–12,000.
*The Lord Maxwell Two-Hand Sword: a rare mid-16th century two-hand sword reputedly wielded by the Lord Maxwell at the Battle of Dryfe Sands. Estimated at £6000–8000.
*Sir Oswald Birley’s portrait of Sir Herbert Maxwell, estimated at £2000–3000.
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