Seaton Delaval Hall treasures reach high price at auction

Oct 1 2009 by Moira Holden, The Journal

Bidding climbed fiercely as telephone bidders from all over the world attempted to buy antiques from the Vanbrugh-designed hall in Northumberland.

A set of cast iron snakes bought by a private collector reached £55,250.

The auction of the Seaton Delaval Hall treasures was combined with a sale of artefacts from Powderham Castle, Devon.

But the North-East ornaments proved popular with bidders – nearly three quarters of the items from Seaton Delaval Hall surpassed their highest estimates.

Harry Dalmeny, deputy chairman of Sotheby’s UK, said: “It has been a great honour to hold the sale of property from Powderham Castle and Seaton Delaval Hall.

“The strong result from today’s sale, which reached a final combined total of £1,823,693 is testament to the rarity and quality of the furniture and works of art of such historic provenance.”

The items from Seaton Delaval Hall came from the private apartments which had been occupied by the late Lord Hastings.

Lord and Lady Hastings, parents of the current Lord Hastings, both died in 2007.

The National Trust, in a campaign backed by The Journal, is seeking to acquire Seaton Delaval Hall.