Congreve lots expected to realise £2.5m

Secrétaire a highlight, says Des O’Sullivan

THE most expensive piece of furniture sold this month was a gilt-mounted c1770 Secrétaire à Abattant, stamped Joseph Twice from the collection of Prince and Princess Henry de La Tour d’Auvergne Lauraguais, it made £385,250 (€480,475) at Sotheby’s.

A not dissimilar secrétaire from 1765 is among the contents from Mount Congreve to be sold at Christie’s in London on May 23. The quality of contents from the Co Waterford home of the late Ambrose Congreve is such that the 120 lots in the London sale are expected to realise £2.5m.

The Mount Congreve secrétaire, which is attributed to Nicholas Petit, is estimated at a mere £30,000-£50,000.

The catalogue lists ormolu mounted French furniture of the highest quality. A pair of Louis XV encoignures (corner cabinets) is estimated at £120,000-£180,000. There is a selection of English antique furniture and a Chinese screen estimated at £30,000-£50,000. Christie’s say one demonstration of the very high standards of care at Mount Congreve is the number of Chinese vases converted to lamps without being drilled for an electric cable.

The 120 lots to be sold are estimated at £2.5m but could bring in much more.

Picture: This Louis XVI gilt-bronze-mounted amaranth, tulipwood, bois satiné, parquetry and oak Secrétaire à Abattant, sold for £385,250 at Sotheby’s.