We are delighted to present The Selected Contents of Donnington Castle House, leading Day 2 of our Fine Interiors sale, on Wednesday 18 March.
12 March 2026
VIEW COLLECTION REQUEST A VALUATION CONTACT A SPECIALIST
Set within expansive gardens and grounds, Donnington Castle House enjoys a secluded elevated position beside the historic medieval Donnington Castle, near Newbury, Berkshire. Built in 1648, the house retains a wealth of original architectural detail, including tall sash windows, panelled rooms, oak floors, decorative plasterwork, and bolection-moulded fireplaces, creating interiors of quiet grandeur and refined balance, which its previous owners spent thirteen years restoring.
The Selected Contents of Donnington Castle House | © Jon Stone Photography
During the Second World War, the British government requisitioned the house to serve as quarters for personnel of the United States Army’s 101st Airborne Division, the famed ‘Screaming Eagles’. Later, under the ownership of the Parker-Bowles family, Donnington Castle House became a familiar retreat for Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother and Princess Margaret, who were frequent guests.
The Selected Contents of Donnington Castle House | © Jon Stone Photography
Comprising almost 100 lots, the collection reflects a considered and highly decorative approach to furnishing a historic country house. Georgian and Regency-inspired furniture forms the backbone of the offering, including bookcases, sofa tables, commodes, and seating chosen for their scale, craftsmanship and practicality.
A large Persian Feraghan wool carpet, first half of the 20th century (£4,000-6,000)
These are complemented by an array of mirrors, lighting and ornamental objects, in neoclassical and Louis XVI taste, lending elegance and visual rhythm throughout. Offered alongside paintings and sculpture, with works ranging from portraits and landscapes to still lifes and busts, the collection displays depth and narrative.
Constant-Joseph Brochart (French, 1816-1899), Shepherd and shepherdess (£4,000-6,000)
Unified by atmosphere rather than strict period, it speaks to a confident eye and a desire to create interiors that feel both composed and lived-in. Together, the pieces offered here present an opportunity to acquire objects selected not only for their individual appeal but also for their ability to work in harmony within an exceptional historic house.
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
During the latter half of the 19th century, North Indian calligraphers based in Delhi were working through a transformative period, as the Mughal Empire’s official patronage waned and British colonial influence expanded.
11 May 2026
In our upcoming Fine Jewellery & Watches sale on Tuesday 2 June, we are proud to present an exceptional group of approximately fifteen Elizabeth Gage pieces, the majority drawn from a single, dedicated collector.
8 May 2026
In Japan, sound carries meaning far beyond what we hear. Few objects embody this idea more powerfully than the bonsho, large temple bells whose resonant tones have marked the passage of time, called communities to reflection, and echoed through centuries of spiritual life.
1 May 2026