De Rothschild dynasty descendants make £1.4m selling mansion contents
More money in the bank! Descendants of de Rothschild banking dynasty make £1.4million by selling off contents of New Forest 18th century country mansion including £200,000 for mosaic table and £21,000 silver figures
- The exquisite array of art and antiques was amassed by the de Rothschild dynasty over the last 150 years
- Current owner Lionel has cleared out some of the contents of Exbury House ahead of an interior change
- Over 200 items of fine art, ornate furniture and golden antiques were sold by Woolley & Wallis Auctioneers
Descendants of the hugely wealthy de Rothschild family banked £1.4 million by selling off some of the incredible contents of their country mansion.
The exquisite array of art and antiques was amassed by the de Rothschild dynasty, including Alfred who was considered one of the greatest art collectors of the 19th century.
All of the sold items can be traced back through the family of wealthy bankers over the last 150 years before they came to be in Exbury House in the New Forest.
Lionel de Rothschild acquired the house in 1919, moving in with his family including his wife Marie-Louise.
He renovated the place, especially focusing on creating beautiful gardens.
Lionel died in 1942 and Exbury House is now owned by his grandson David de Rothschild who also goes by Lionel, his middle name.
Young Lionel has cleared out some of the contents of the 18th Century mansion ahead of an interior change.
More than 200 items of fine art, ornate furniture and golden antiques were sold by Woolley & Wallis Auctioneers of Salisbury, Wilts.
The most valuable item for sale was the Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table.
The most valuable item for sale was the Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table (pictured). It has a lapis lazuli centre surrounded by Egyptian alabaster and rings of decoration featuring scrolling leaves and flowers
All of the sold items can be traced back through the family of wealthy bankers over the last 150 years before they came to be in Exbury House (pictured) in the New Forest
Included in the sale were a pair of 16th century silver figures of a crossbowman and a swordsman that fetched £21,000 when they went under the hammer
It has a lapis lazuli centre surrounded by Egyptian alabaster and rings of decoration featuring scrolling leaves and flowers.
The beautifully-crafted table rests on a Siena marble base and is 3ft high and 3ft wide.
It was valued following the death of Alfred de Rothschild in 1918 while it was being kept in the Winter Garden at Halton House in Buckinghamshire.
In 1918 it was valued for the equivalent of £3,500 but after a bidding war it fetched £200,000, triple its estimated value.
Also included in the sale were a pair of 16th century silver figures of a crossbowman and a swordsman that fetched £21,000 when they went under the hammer.
Chloe Davie of the Woolley & Wallis salesroom is pictured with a French Ormolu Mantel Clock and a French Louis XV clock, while three parade shields are in the background
Descendants of the hugely wealthy de Rothschild family banked £1.4 million by selling off some of the incredible contents of their country mansion. Pictured is a gilt bronze glass and rock crystal chandelier
The current owner of the 18th century mansion (pictured), Lionel de Rothschild, has cleared out some of the contents ahead of an interior change
The collection crammed into the Woolley & Wallis salesroom. Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards (pictured) said: ‘The collection was so special because of the range of items on sale and the history of the items moving through the family’
A South German gilt cooper table cabinet, which is engraved with a scene of Adam and Eve beside the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden
Another stand out lot was the milanese armourer’s cabinet that has plaques from the late 16th century fitted onto the 11 drawers surrounding a central hinged drawer.
The plaques show scenes from Roman history including satyr masks, soldiers and the hero Gaius Mucius Scaevola who was renowned for his bravery.
It sold for more than double its expected value when it went under the hammer, for £40,000.
Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards said: ‘The Rothschild family have long had a well-deserved reputation for sourcing exceptional pieces from high quality and talented craftsmen.
More than 200 items of fine art, ornate furniture and golden antiques were sold by Woolley & Wallis Auctioneers of Salisbury, Wilts
A rare Italian model of a wine barrel, which sold for £19,000. The exquisite array of art and antiques was amassed by the de Rothschild dynasty
The Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table (centre). The beautifully-crafted table rests on a Siena marble base and is 3ft high and 3ft wide
One of a set of 14 mahogany dining chairs that belonged to the de Rothschilds and featured in the auction. The family are currently estimated to be the richest family in the world, worth £450 billion
A pair of Rothschild Lapis Lazuli Tazze. Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards said: ‘It is becoming increasingly rare to come across such a historic collection and such extensive provenance is like gold dust’
‘That is exemplified by the mosaic table, a finely detailed piece of craftsmanship by one of the leading artists of the time.
‘The collection was so special because of the range of items on sale and the history of the items moving through the family.
‘It is becoming increasingly rare to come across such a historic collection and such extensive provenance is like gold dust.
‘Some of the items that went on sale have been moving through the family for generations.’
The de Rothschild dynasty rose to prominence in Frankfurt, Germany, during the 1760s with Mayer Amshel de Rothschild who established the banking business.
His five sons managed to expand to create the beginnings of the family’s international banking empire.
The de Rothschild family are currently estimated to be the richest family in the world, worth £450 billion.
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