House Clearance Chairs Sell For £24,000

On the 28th and 29th August 2024, Wimbledon Auctions held their monthly fine art and antiques auction, featuring almost 900 lots consigned from local estates, house clearances and private sellers in London and Surrey. Amongst these lots were a pair of armchairs, upholstered in a rather tired looking green fabric. The chairs were consigned from a local house clearance, and were entered with a pre-sale estimate of £600-800. Catalogued as 'Gainsborough armchairs', this name refers to a type of English armchair made in the mid-18th century. A wide chair, with a high back, open sides and short upholstered arms set well back from the seat. Named after the great English painter Thomas Gainsborough. Gainsborough was best known for his wonderful portraits and, due to the appearance of chairs of this sort in some of his paintings, his name has become attached to furniture of this type.

Mere hours after the 28th and 29th August auction catalogue had been listed online, Wimbledon Auctions received numerous emails and telephone calls enquiring after the chairs. During the week of viewing leading up to the sale, it is estimated that around forty prospective buyers came in person to specifically view the armchairs. There was great speculation that the chairs could indeed date the the second half of the 18th century. On the day of the auction, eight telephone lines were booked. Internet bidding soared past the pre-sale estimate of £600, starting at £11,000, and bids followed from the internet and telephones. The eventual buyer saw off the competition at £24,000 via an online internet platform. 

This was a record price for an item of furniture at Wimbledon Auctions. A fantastic result for the vendor and indeed a great contribution to Wimbledon's greatest auction to date, with a premium inclusive total of over £167,000.