Important Furniture, Silver & Ceramics @ Sotheby's London

A magnificent large gilt-bronze-mounted chinese bleu-turque porcelain vase and cover. Louis XV, circa 1765. Est. 600,000 - 1,000,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

On the 8th December, the Sotheby’s Highly Important Furniture, Silver and Ceramics Sale, will offer two magnificent treasures from Woburn Abbey, the seat of the Dukes of Bedford, one of England’s finest stately homes. It contains one of the finest private art collections in the country, with a strong emphasis on French furniture and works of art. Lots 16 & 17 were both acquired by either Francis Russell, 5th Duke of Bedford (1765-1802) or John Russell, 6th Duke of Bedford (1766-1839). The vase now being offered (lot 16) is of exceptional scale and quality and is the largest recorded ormolu mounted vase of its type. Prior to entering the Bedford collections, this vase was originally owned by the famous banker to the French Court, Nicolas Beaujon (1718–86), one of the richest men in France. He bought and refurbished the hôtel d’Evreux in Paris (now the Elysée Palace) and this vase was placed in the salon au cabinet des tableaux, the principal room of the private apartments of the banker.

A magnificent pair of gilt-bronze-mounted granite and bronze athéniennes. Louis XVI, circa 1775-1780. Est. Est. 400,000 - 600,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

We are also offering Property of the late Edmund L. de Rothschild, from Exbury House, Hampshire, coming from the collection formed by his great grandfather of Baron Lionel (1808-1879). These include an Italian rock crystal vase (lot 6), three tankards, two from the 16th century and an ivory example with 17th century silver-gilt mounts (lots 7, 8 & 9); also a pair of Louis XV encoignures by Joseph Baumhauer (lot 10). From other properties, the sale includes a good selection of Italian painted furniture - see lots 20-22 inclusive.

An Italian rock crystal vase engraved with the story of Actaeon attributed to the Saracchi. Workshop, Milan, circa 1580 and later. Est. 20,000 - 30,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

A German silver-gilt tankard, maker's mark an arrow and two pellets, (Rosenberg no. 4771 b), Ulm, circa 1580. Est. 12,000 - 18,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

An Elizabethan silver-gilt tankard, maker's mark se in monogram, (Jackson’s p.100), London, 1578. Est. 20,000 - 30,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

A silver-gilt carved ivory tankard, the drum attributed to Bernard Strauss, the mounts. Possibly by William Schroder of Luneburg. Est. 60,000 - 80,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

A pair of gilt-bronze-mounted kingwood, tulipwood, amaranth and bois de bout floral marquetry encoignures by Joseph Baumhauer. Louis XV, circa 1755. Est. 100,000 - 200,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

A silver marriage basket for the wedding in 1754, of George IIs daughter Anne, Princess Royal of Great Britain and William IV, Prince of Orange and Nassau-Dietz (lot 18) is a very rare example of Royal silver by Paul de Lamerie. The magnificent pair of silver candelabra (lot 25) belonged to the 1st Marquess of Anglesey who famously remarked to the Duke of Wellington when his leg was blown off at the Battle of Waterloo ‘By God, sir, I’ve lost my leg!’ eliciting the Duke’s reply ‘By God, sir, so you have!’

The Orange-Hanover silver marriage basket, Paul de Lamerie, London, 1733. Est. 180,000 - 200,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's

An impressive pair of George IV five-light silver candelabra, Robert Garrard, London, 1827. Est. 180,000 - 220,000 GBP. Photo Sotheby's