These extracts reflect only a small part of the wealth of lots sold in the forty days of the sale.

Forster, Henry Rumsey 1848. The Stowe Catalogue Priced and Annotated. London: David Bogue.

The First Day of Sale

Tuesday, August 15, 1848

Duchess’s Drawing-room

The catalogue for this day comprised the first portion of the Ornamental China, and Majolica, or Raffaelle Ware, from the Duchess’s Drawing-room (formerly the State Bedroom). This apartment contains two large closets—the one called the “Shakspeare” [sic] from having been the depositary for many years of the Chandos portrait of the Great Bard; and the other—the “Jewel Closet.” The old Japan linings and fittings of the latter were presented to Richard Earl Temple by Frederick Prince of Wales and his Princess, upon the occasion of their Royal Highnesses’ visit to Stowe in 1737. Both closets were filled with rare and curious productions, including a variety of Chinese ornaments and bronzes, presented to the Duke of Buckingham by Captain Nevill, R.N. Commander of H.M.S. Serpent, and Captain Willes Johnson, R.N., of H.M.S. Wolverine, two gallant officers who took part in the late Chinese War. The Majolica Ware and rare China was chiefly contained in recesses on either side of the principal windows of the apartment.

The contents of the “Jewel” or “Japan Closet” were first sold.

China, &c.

47. A rosary, of agate beads, faceted with a cameo; and one other rosary. Marquis of Chandos. 3 12 0. The agate rosary was presented to the Duke of Buckingham when in Rome by Pope Pius VII., having been previously blessed by the Sovereign Pontiff.

Majolica, or Raffaelle Ware, Dishes

[…] The greater part of the collection at Stowe was purchased by the late Duke of Buckingham in Florence—to use the nobleman’s own words—“for a song.” Whether this remark was intended to signify fifty or 500 pounds may be considered problematical, when the munificence of his Grace’s character as a collector is remembered.

The Second Day’s Sale

Wednesday, August 16

Duchess’s Drawing-room

Majolica, or Raffaelle Ware, &c.

163. A sitting Chinese figure—carved and gilt; 2 kylins—carved in box-wood; a fish skin box; and a Chinese compass. Rev. E. A. Uthwatt. 1 3 0. This compass was taken from on board a Chinese pirate junk by Captain Neville.

165. An ivory snuff-box, with head of Louis XIV., a horn box, with a head of Negro, a tortoiseshell box, a box, with records of events in the reign of George IV., with a medal; a medallion of Captain Cook, and a cameo—in jasper; and a Chinese carving. Marney and Walton, of Newman St. 1 2 0. The box of records and the medal were withdrawn from this lot.

166. A tortoiseshell comb-case, with two tortoiseshell combs; and a tortoiseshell pocket-comb, and a case. Russell. 1 19 0. These are curious specimens of the large-toothed combs used for the periwigs of Queen Anne’s time. They are engraved tortoiseshell, and one of them is contained in a case studded with gold points, and has the initials “J.B.,” in an ornamental cipher, also studded in gold. This latter was a pocket-comb: they both belonged to James Brydges, afterwards the first Duke of Chandos, who built the magnificent house at Canons and died in 1744.

Furniture, &c.

211. A pair of Dresden baskets—painted with flowers and open borders. Marquis of Chandos. 3 0 0.

220. Two pairs of curtains, of the richest flowered Genoa velvet, with draperies and gilt cornices. J. and W. Dent, Esqrs., Sudeley Castle, Winchcomb. 21 0 0. Sudeley Castle, the residence of the Messrs. Dent, is a beautiful specimen of Tudor architecture. It was formerly the residence of Giles Lord Chandos, who entertained Queen Elizabeth there. It was also the residence of the Lord High Admiral Lord Seymour of Sudeley; and Queen Catharine Parr,[1] who was buried in the chapel there. Her remains were disturbed a few years ago by some barbarians from Cheltenham, and her skull exhibited. The tomb was carefully restored by order of the late Duchess of Buckingham. Sudeley remained in the Chandos family until about 20 years ago, when it was sold by the late Duke to Mr Dent, the present possessor, who has restored the building in good taste.

244. A state chair—white and gold, the seat and back covered with white satin flowered damask. Marquis of Chandos. 7 17 6.

245. A state chair. Marquis of Chandos. 8 8 0. These chairs were made expressly for the use of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort, when at Stowe in 1845. Had this fact been mentioned in the catalogue, they would, doubtless, have realised a much larger sum; the propriety of the omission, however, will not be questioned.

The Third Day’s Sale

Thursday, August 17

Duchess’s Drawing-room

The sale to-day comprised the remaining Furniture of the Duchess’s Drawing-room, the contents of the “Shakspeare,” closet and the first portion of the Furniture of the Tapestry Drawing-room.

274. A jewel, designed for a benitoire

277. An ostrich egg—mounted in silver

286. A cocoa-nut—silver mounted

288. The Fonthill cabinet: the friezes are composed of lapis lazuli; the fronts of the drawers are slabs of hæmatite, set with coloured stones; in the centre are groups of Neptune and marine deities, with figures and animals in relief, in the niches of a temple, supported on four columns of rosso antico. The whole is richly ornamented with chasings of or-molu, and is designed in fine architectural character. Walesby. 89 5 0. This cabinet was purchased at Fonthill by the late Duke of Buckingham for £157. It is designed somewhat in the fashion of a temple, and deserving especial remark. The central compartment has a pediment; and four pillars of rosso antico support an upper story, above which is the frieze of lapis lazuli: between pillars are groups of Neptune and marine deities, with figures and animals in relief, within circular headed niche. The side compartments have drawers, the fronts of which are composed of hæmatite, and enriched with rubies and emeralds. Terminal figures of chased or-molu add to the enrichment of the whole; and the cabinet stands on an open framework of six legs, the upper prtion of which has Latimer crosses upon it—Mr Beckford’s symbol.

294. A toilet-table, of silver—chased in the boldest and most beautiful taste. Ryman. 64 1 0.

295. The toilet glass, in silver frame, to correspond. These princely objects were presented by George Villers Duke of Buckingham, to the Countess of Shrewsbury, at Avington. Ryman. 85 1 0. This table and glass possess more claims to notice from their history than their beauty. The ornamental enrichments to the top of the table, however, are exquisitely designed; as is also the pattern around the frame, and the stretcher between the legs. The latter are wretchedly meagre in character, and formed of light wood, stained to look like ebony. Mr Ryman purchased both lots for the Countess of Jersey—thus restoring the property to the Villiers family.

Tapestry Drawing-room

Furniture, &c.

360. A magnificent round-topped chest, of the finest old japan, beautifully inlaid with mother-o’-pearl. This was bought by Lord Cobham from Vigo, after the storming of that place by the British army, in 1719. Lord Holland. 18 18 0. This chest was purchased by Mr. Nathan, jun. of South Street, for Lord Holland. It formed part of the booty obtained by Lord Cobham after his capture of Vigo in 1719, and, tradition says, was full of dollars when brought to England.

361. A beautiful Italian cabinet, of fine cinque-centro architectural design, consisting of two tiers of columns of red marble, with niches, with slabs of lapis lazuli and oriental alabaster—the friezes gilt. This superb cabinet is from the Borghese Palace. Ryman. 27 6 0. This cabinet was brought from Rome in 1817, by the present Duke of Buckingham.

The Fourth Day’s Sale

Friday, August 18

Tapestry Drawing-room

China, &c.

423. A rosary of tortoiseshell, with saints in relief; and a gold enamelled figure of a saint, with a brilliant in the breast suspended. Marquis of Chandos. 3 5 0.

440. A necklace and earrings, of coloured glass—curious specimens of antique jewellery. Marquis of Chandos. 5 0 0. This curious necklace was taken from round the neck of a skeleton found in an excavation made at Rome, in 1817, by the present Duke of Buckingham.

441. A figure of a mounted knight armed for the tournament

451. A beautiful cinque-centro jewel of gold and enamel, with a phoenix and flowers

458. A blue and gold oval enamelled snuff-box, with a miniature, set round with brilliants, and two clusters of brilliants, and sprigs underneath. Zimmerman. 12 15 0. The miniatures were taken out of these boxes and retained by the Marquis of Chandos: they were very beautiful likenesses of the late Duke and Duchess of Buckingham, at the time of their marriage in 1796.

The Fifth Day’s Sale

Saturday, August 19

State Drawing-room

China

618. A pair of modern enamelled oriental jars—48 inches high, covered with Chinese figures—very highly finished. S.M. Peto, Esq., M.P. 25 4 0. These jars were presented to the Duke of Buckingham, by Captain Willes Johnson, R.N., who brought them from Macao. Their cost in China was eighty guineas.

Majolica, or Raffaelle Ware

641. A magnificent cistern, with festoons and lions’ heads

The Sixth Day’s Sale

Monday, August 21.

Antique Sculpture

697. The Marine Venus

Grenville Drawing Room—Marble Busts

757. Richard Duke of Buckingham, by Trentanova, on dove marble pedestal. A. Robarts, Esq. Sholebroke Lodge, Towcester. 11 11 0. This bust was sculptured when the late Duke of Buckingham was in Rome in 1828. Mr. Robarts, we believe, purchased it for the present Duke.

758. The Right Hon. George Grenville, in robes, by Nollekens, on dove marble pedestal. Bryant. 15 15 0. This is a fine bust of the celebrated minister of George III.

759. Lord Nugent, by Trentanova, on marble pedestal. Harrison. 4 4 0. This bust is a very fine likeness of the noble lord; it was sculpted we belive from a cast of the bust executed by Mr Charles Moore. The price at which it was knocked down would scarcely pay for the marble from which it is cut. An impression prevailed at the time that it was bought for Lord Nugent; but this was not the fact.

760. William Wyndham Lord Grenville, by Comolli. Marquis of Chandos. 6 6 0.

761. The Right Hon. Thomas Grenville, by Comolli. Earl of Ellesmere. 10 10 0.

762. The late Duke of Gloucester, by Comolli. Marquis of Chandos. 7 10 0.

762*. Captain Jervoise. H. Smith, Esq. Morton Lodge. 4 14 6.

The Seventh Day's Sale

Tuesday 22 August 1848.

Music Room

824. A beautiful vase, formed of a noble block of rock-crystal

Large Library

881. A microscope, by Pritchard, in a mahogany case; and a small cabinet of objects. S. Horse, Esq. Buckingham. £17 10s 0d. This microscope was always used by the late Duke of Buckingham in his favourite study—natural history. His Grace, when at Stowe, generally devoted two or three hours daily to the dissection and examination of insects of various kinds; and made many thousand specimens of microscopic objects.

885. A very curious clock, by Raingo, showing days of the week, and surmounted by an orrery, which is attached to the works of the clock.. H. Beaufoy, Esq. £66 3s 0d. This clock is a very elaborate piece of mechanism, and was purchased of the maker, by the late Duke of Buckingham, for 300 guineas. It indicates, with utmost regularity, the hours, the minutes, and the seconds; the day of the month, the signs of the Zodiac, the days of the week, the common, or leap years; the inequality of the days and nights, the seasons of the year, the movement of the moon around the earth, and of the earth around the sun; the phases of the moon, its age, and its eclipses. The orrery can be disconnected from the clock, and worked by hand, in order that the earth and the moon can be placed in any particular relative position with the sun. Only three of these clocks were made; one was formerly at Carlton House; another in the Tulleries (where is it now?), and the third, the Duke of Buckingham was fortunate enough to secure. Mr Nathan purchased it to-day for Mr Beaufoy.

The Eighth Day’s Sale

Wednesday, August 23.

State Dressing-room

This apartment was called the Green Drawing Room before the visit of Her Majesty the Queen to Stowe, in 1845.

Furniture, &c.

1012. A beautiful oval toilet-glass

Print-Room

981*. A plinth, or curious wood—mounted with or-molu, and panelled with ebony inlaid with ivory. Owen. £63 0s 0d. This extraordinary “bowl and cover” as described in the catalogue, was in reality a censer used by the Chinese in their religious exercises. It was brought to England, and presented to the Duke of Buckingham, by Captain Willes Johnson[1], R.N., who purchased it at Amoy. There can be no doubt that it had been stolen from some Imperial joss-house, as the vendor was in great alarm lest it should be discovered by the authorities; and, in order to obtain possession of it, was obliged to remove it at night on board his ship, the Wolverine. As will be seen above, Mr Owen, of Bond Street, purchased it at the sale, but he has since resold it to Captain Johnson for £73.

[1] Captain John Samuel Willes Johnson. born at South Stoke, Bath, 3 July 1793. Entered Royal Navy 1 February 1807, served at the capture of Algiers 1816, promoted Commander 6 February 1821, served First China War 1841, promoted Captain 9 November 1846. Died at Hannington Hall, Highworth, Wiltshire, 25th July 1863.

The Ninth Day’s Sale

Thursday, August 24 1848.

State Bed-Chamber

1082. A beautiful vase of rock-crystal

1087. A cup, of crystal, engraved in panels

1089. A pair of exquisite taper-candlesticks, of agate

State Dressing-Room

1111. The state bedstead—most magnificently carved and gilt, with yellow silk tabaret curtains and hangings; the lining of crimson silk, the canopy with a network of gold and rich scrolls at the angles; the columns formed as Roman fasces: at the head are the arms of Chandos embroidered; with two hair mattresses, a wool mattrass, [sic] a down bolster, two down pillows, a Marseilles quilt and a white satin quilt cover. Walesby. £90 6s 0d. This bedstead was made for the Prince and Princess of Wales, upon their visit to Stowe, in 1737, and formerly stood in the apartment now called the Duchess’s Drawing-room, at the extreme end, on the dais. During the past century, it has formed the resting place of very many royal personages; among whom we may mention George IV, when Prince of Wales in 1805, and Louis XVIII, in 1808 or 1809. In 1845, the bed-stead was re-gilt and varnished, on the occasion of Her Majesty and the Prince Consort visiting Stowe. The hangings are of red silk, and the fittings altogether of a very costly character. It is covered with a quilt of white satin, embroidered in gold; and at the head of the bed are the royal arms embroidered upon the bag of state, which held the seals of office when Earl Temple was keeper of the privy seal, in the early part of the reign of King George III. To these have since been added the Chandos arms, also beautifully embroidered, which were obtained from a state bed belong to the Duke of Chandos, at Chandos House. Considerable interest was occasioned by the disposal of this lot. The first bidding was fifty guineas, from which amount it proceeded languidly up to eighty guineas. Mr P.D. Pauncefort Duncombe, and Mr Walesby, of Northampton, were the only competitors after it had reached this price, and the lot was ultimately bought by the latter for eighty-six guineas. Its cost from first to last will probably have been ten times that amount. We believe the bedstead is still in Mr Walesby’s possession, and at the disposal of any parties anxious to possess themselves of such a piece of furniture.

The Tenth Day’s Sale

Friday, August 25

Ante-Library

Antique Bronzes, Marbles, Etruscan Vases, &c.

1205. Mars—in bronze antique. Hertz, of Great Marlborough Street. 9 19 6. This is an exquisite antique bronze, about 9 inches high, executed at the finst period of Greek art. It is in a high state of preservation, and possess a beautiful patina. Mr Hertz purchased it in Paris, about ten years ago, for £80 and subsequently sold it to the Duke of Buckingham. […]

1240. An exquisite oviform vase

1258. A cinque-centro bronze lamp

1266. Theseus—a beautiful antique bronze figure, 35 inches high. Messrs Herring. 53 11 0. This bronze is said to be from the Villa Adriana. We believe it cost the Duke of Buckingham upwards of 200 guineas.

East Corridor

Ancient Greek Pottery

1275. A beautiful two-handled vase, of fine clay, with a priestess mounted on a bull, on the front and the reverse—found at Canino—18 inches high. Purnell B. Purnell, Esq. 14 0 0. This vase was presented to the Duke of Buckingham by Lucien Bonaparte, by whom it was discovered during the very extensive and most interesting excavations at Canino, the Prince’s estate in Etruria. The Duke of Buckingham was on a visit to the Prince at the time, and brought the vase to England himself, with several others which were also given to him by the Prince.

The Thirteenth Day’s Sale

Buckingham Rooms

Bed-rooms

1356. An inkstand... formerly belonging to Pope Sixtus V

Sitting-Room

1381. An octagonal table, of pollard oak—the border, pillar, and plinth inlaid. Rev. E.A. Uthwatt. 9 5 0.

1382. A silk patchwork table-cover. J.B. Graham, Esq. 3 0 0. This table-cover was made by Mrs Uthwatt, the wife of the purchaser of the preceding lot, and presented by that lady to the Duchess of Buckingham. Its future destination, it appears, will be South Australia; the purchaser Mr Graham, being the gentleman who has shared so largely the smiles of fortune in that colony, and who is visiting England only for a short time.

Chapel Passage

1398. A superb group, in or-molu, in honour of the Duke of Wellington—modelled by the celebrated sculptor Schadow. In the centre is a sitting figure of Britannia, holding a spear in one hand and a winged Victory in the other; at her feet are female figures, emblematic of the four rivers, Tagus, Ebro, Garonne, and Seine, victoriously passed by the Duke of Wellington; on a bronze plinth is inscribed—“Georgio Regnante—Wellington.” Russell. 46 14 6. There is not much taste or elegance in the design of this group. It formerly occupied a prominent position at one end of the State Dining Room.

Vestibule to Grenville Drawing Room

Thursday 31 August

1404. The companion armoire. Walesby. £19 8s 6d. These armoires, on the authority of the late Right Hon. Thomas Grenville, once contained the whole of the Stowe library. The right honourable gentleman used to describe, among the reminiscences of his boyhood, the please with which he first ransacked their contents.

The Fourteenth Day’s Sale

Friday 1 September

Vestibule to the East Colonnade: Ancient Chinese Bronzes

The whole of the following very curious bronzes were brought from Amoy, by Captain Nevill, R.R., of H.M.S. Serpent, and presented by him to the Duke of Buckingham.

[Lots 1437 to 1448. Vases, figures, etc. ]

1449. A noble bronze kylin, of unusual size—on a rosewood stand. A. Robertson, Esq. £14 0s 0d. This was a very large specimen of the fabulous monster called a kylin, which is something between a lion and a dragon; the head of the former being combined with the claws and tail of the latter. The Chinese have a particular veneration of this figure, and worship it in their religious exercises. The figure is so formed as to admit the placing of incense inside, which being lighted, smoke issues from the mouth of the monster. Captain Nevill had great difficulty in obtaining the present specimen and in order to secure its possession, it was for some time thrown overboard and afterwards “fished up.”

1493. A Dresden two-handle cup and cover, with handles beautifully painted with Venus and Bacchus, and trophies. Agent. 19 19 0. This vase was bought by a commission agent for a gentleman who was present in the room. As will be seen, it was knocked down for nineteen guineas. After the hammer fell, Mr Emanuel publicly stated that he sold the very vase to the Duke of Buckingham for five pounds. This was one of the very many instances in which the parties attending the sale suffered by making their purchases through brokers. During the sale, scarcely any respectable persons could enter the mansion without being importuned to entrust their commission to persons of this class: you were told that the applicant belonged to the “London Society of Brokers”—(one of the clique was stated to have been a very recently retired policeman, and another was said to have been employed in a much less honourable mode of obtaining a livelihood); that it was no use to offer personal biddings, as the brokers attended for the purpose of buying, and would outbid any private individual. By these tales, speciously told, many persons were imposed upon, and instances of very much more than the value of articles being given were of common occurrence. The villany [sic] of the system will be judged when we add that four or five of these men generally work together; and in cases where one has obtained a commission to purchase an article at a certain price, it is a common thing for the party so employed to forewarn his colleague not to be let down for a lower sum than his commission mounts to, in order to increase the per centage. [sic] The only safeguard the public have against such a state of things, in cases where they cannot personally attend, is to entrust their commissions to men of known and respectable character, of whom there are always many attending almost every important sale.

The Seventeenth Day’s Sale

Tuesday 5 September

Silver Table Plate

279. A powder-flask—chased with sportsmen; and a shot-belt—silver mounted: 10oz. Lady Glamis. £12 10s 0d. This lot excited particular observation. It consisted of a powder-flask and shot-belt, presented to the Duke of Buckingham, when Marquis of Chandos, under circumstances which surely might have occasioned their withdrawal from the general wreck. The flask bore the following inscription: “This powder-flask and shot belt were presented to the Marquis of Chandos, in remembrance of a pleasant shooting excursion to the moors of Auchlyne, in Perthshire, in August 1837, by his obliged friends, J.W. Chase, of Cosgrove; T.B. Rose of Haddenham; J. Hoare of Wendover; J. Bailey of Shenley.”

The Nineteenth Day’s Sale

Thursday 7 September

Dishes

570. A lamp stand, with pierced rim

Toilette Plate

630. The Chandos Testimonial

Tankards-Gilt

638. A tankard—carved, with battle between the Centaurs and Lapithæ

641. An ivory tankard... with a battle between the Austrians and Turks

644. A noble tankard, with the triumph of Neptune

657. A magnificent ewer... presented by the Bucks Militia to the Marquis of Buckingham

The Twentieth Day’s Sale

Friday, September 8

Silver Table Plate

768. The death of Sir Bevil Grenville, at the battle of Lansdown Hill [...]

Oriental Fillagree, [sic] &c.

815. A salt-cellar, of silver gilt, in the form of a pedestal, with busts of Vespasian and his Empress

The Twenty-First Day’s Sale

Tuesday, September 12.

After a brief interval of forty-eight hours—a most welcome relief to many who were compelled to attend daily—the sale of the first division of the collection of Pictures was commenced this morning, the auction taking place, not as hereto in the Library, but in the Saloon, where an admirable light was afforded for the display of the various subjects. The attendance was very numerous; many of the buyers of the last week were absent, but their places were supplied by connoisseurs and others learned in the fine arts, of whom a large number were present. The general company included a great many ladies, for whom accommodation seats were provided in the centre of the Saloon.

The Duke of Buckingham’s pictures, although including several very fine works, could scarcely be designated “a gallery.” The collection has been formed out of the accumulation of several families; from Gosfield, the seat of Earl Nugent, in Essex; from Minchendon House, near Southgate, the seat of Mr Nicoll, whose only daughter and heiress married James Marquis of Carnarvan, afterwards third Duke of Chandos; and from Avington, another seat of the Chandos family, in Hampshire. When the present Duke of Buckingham succeeded to the title, he made a complete clearance, and sent various pictures of various sizes and qualities to Messrs. Christies rooms, where they were subsequently sold by auction, producing about £600—a fact tolerably indicative of their degree of merit. For some weeks after this sale, it is said the shops in Wardour Street and the neighbourhood were lined with old pictures—many of them sufficiently large to cover the side of a room. There were no pictures by recent artists at Stowe, neither the late nor the present Duke ever having bought modern paintings. The only exception to this on the part of the late Duke, was the commission given by him to Martin for his picture of the “Destruction of Herculaneum and Pompeii.” We believe the late Duke paid £800 to the artist for it; the picture having been for some years removed from Stowe to Buckingham House, Pall Mall; and at the recent sale of effects from that mansion at Messrs Christie’s rooms, it realised little more than one-eighth of that amount. Stanfield’s painting of the “Wreckers off Calais” was bought at the sale of Mr Watson Taylor’s pictures by the present Duke, and this was the only instance in which his Grace purchased any valuable work by a modern artist. The collection contained few or no pictures of what is called high art—that is, of the Italian School. The Rembrandts, the Cuyps, the Teniers, and some other works of the Dutch and Flemish schools, were among the best in the collection: there was also a Salvator Ross and a Domenichino, which realised under the hammer—the former one thousand and the latter seven hundred guineas.

The portraits were generally of considerable interest, and some of them were capital specimens of the several masters.

Galleries

42. George Marquis of Buckingham—small whole length—(west) A. George, Esq. 5 5 0

Chandos Bedroom

82. Maria Temple, daughter of Sir R Temple (Richardson). Gamblin, Esq. 5 15 0

83. Viscount Cobham (Van Loo). S.M. Peto, Esq. M.P. 10 10 0. This is a very good portrait of Lord Cobham.

84. Richard Earl Temple (Hoare). S.M. Peto, Esq. M.P. 8 8 0.

85. Sir William Wyndham, in robes (Kneller). J.G. Uppleby, Esq. 19 8 6. This remarkably fine specimen of Kneller was privately engraved for the late Lord Grenville.

86. Lady Catherine Wyndham (Kneller). J.W. Lyon, Esq.Misorden Park. 10 10 0. This was daughter of Charles, the “proud” Duke of Somerset.

87. The Hon. Mrs. Grenville (Hoare). Mrs W.E. Gladstone. 17 6 6. The Honourable Mrs Grenville was great-grandmother of Mrs W.E. Gladstone.

102. Susannah Grenville. Withdrawn.

State Drawing Room

138. Lady Grenville. H. Smith, Esq. 4 4 0. Anne, only daughter of Thomas Pitt, first Lord Camelford, and sister and heiress of Thomas, second and last Lord, married to William Wyndham Lord Grenville, who died in 1834. This portrait was painted by Mary Marchioness of Buckingham.

139. Earl Temple, when a boy. H. Smith, Esq. 1 15 0. The late Duke of Buckingham, when Earl Temple; painted by his mother.

141. The late Duke of Buckingham (engraving p.p.). D.P. King, Esq. 5 10 0. A proof impression of a private plate, engraved by R. Cooper, from a miniature by George Saunders.

The Twenty-Second Day’s Sale

Buckingham Rooms

174. Lady Wyndham—oval. Evans. 6 6 0. Catherine, another daughter of the “proud” Duke, afterwards married to Sir William Wyndham.

179. William Pitt, Earl of Chatham—in crayons. A. Robertson, Esq. 14 14 0.

181. Sir Bernard Grenville (Zucchero). Duke of Sunderland. 9 9 0. Sir Bernard Grenville was the father of Sir Bevil Grenville, who was killed at the battle of Lansdown Hill.

182. Richard Grenville, 1609, and his wife. Duke of Sutherland. 8 18 6. This portrait represents Richard Grenville, of Wotton, and his wife. The former died in 1609, aged 39.

183. Mary, wife of Sir R. Temple. Campbell, Esq. 3 13 6. Mary Knapp, daughter of Henry Knapp, of Weston in Oxfordshire, Esq. and wife of Sir Richard Temple—1670.

184. Mary, wife of Sir Richard Grenville. Duke of Sutherland. 6 16 6. Mary, daughter of Sir John St. Leger, of Aumery, in Devonshire, and wife of Sir Richard Grenville—1590.

185. Sir Peter Temple (C. Jansens). Frank K. Lenthall, Esq. 11 11 0. Sir Peter Temple, Bart. of Stowe—1622.

190. George Dodington, Esq.; and another of the family—(Lely). R. Berkerley, Esq. 2 12 6. The Right Hon. George Dodington, of Eastbury, Dorset, Uncle to Viscount Cobham—1670.

191. George Marquis of Buckingham, in fancy dress (Coates). H. Smith, Esq. 6 6 0.

192. Elizabeth Wyndham—in crayons. Agent. 1 8 0. The lady was the wife of the Right Hon. George Grenville. A drawing by herself.

193. Hester Lady Rous—whole length—(Vandyck). T Rutley. 21 0 0. This lady was the daughter of Sit Thomas Temple, of Stowe, and wife of Sir John Rous, of Rous-Lench, in Worcestershire.

194. Christian, wife of Sir T. Littleton; Michael Nugent, Esq.; Mrs Knight, of Gosfield (Kneller). S.M. Peto, Esq. M.P. 15 15 0.

196. Elizabeth Wyndham, wife of George Grenville (of Wotton). 21 0 0. This portrait was privately valued to Mr Gore Langton, son-in-law to the present Duke of Buckingham, for twenty guineas.

197. Catherine Lady Braybrooke. The Dean of Windsor. 2 12 0. Catherine Grenville, sister to George Marquis of Buckingham, and wife of Richard Aldworth-Neville, afterwards first Lord Braybrooke. Mrs Neville died before her husband became Lord Braybrooke; therefore the description in the catalogue is a misnomer. The Dean of Windsor—the Hon. and Rev. George Neville-Grenville—who purchased the picture is the son of this lady. It was an unfinished sketch, painted by Mary Marchioness of Buckingham.

198. Martha Temple Lady Peniston (Zucchero). H. Rodd. 5 15 6. Martha, daughter of Sir Thomas Temple, of Stowe, and wife of Sir Thomas Peniston, Bart, of Leigh, in Sussex. The lady died in 1629, and lies buried in the church at Stowe, where there is a plaster effigy of herself and infant, recumbent on a marble monument.

199. Elizabeth Temple Lady Gibbs (Zucchero). Rev. C.F. Wyatt. 8 8 0. Elizabeth, daughter of Sir Thomas Temple, of Stowe, and wife of Sir Henry Gibbs, of Hunnington, in the county of Warwick—1605. Mrs Wyatt, the wife of the reverend gentleman who purchased this picture is lineally descended from this lady.

200. Dorothy Lady Temple (Jansens). — Campbell, Esq. 8 8 0. This portrait represents Dorothy, daughter of Edmund Lee, of Stanton Bury, in the county of Bucks, and wife of Sir John Temple, Knight.

201. John Temple, of Stowe (Zucchero). Lord Say and Sele. 10 10 0. John Temple, Esq. of Stowe, son of Peter Temple, who built the original mansion at Stowe in 1560. He was the father of Elizabeth, wife of William Viscount Saye and Sele, both of whose portraits are now in the possession of the present holder of that title. Their remains lie buried in Broughton Church, near Banbury.

202. Penelope Temple (Kneller). T. Grissell, Esq. 8 18 6. Penelope, daughter of Sir Richard Temple, and wife of Moses Berenger, Esq.—1719.

203. Edward Grenville (Jansens). The Dean of Windsor. 6 6 0. The portrait represents Mr Edward Grenville, of Foxcote, in the county of Bucks.

204. Hester Lady Temple. Frank K. Lenthall, Esq. 13 2 6. This portrait represents Hester Sandys, daughter of Miles Sandy, Esq., of Latimers, in the county of Bucks, and wife to Sir Thomas Temple, Bart. She was the mother of four sons and nine daughters, who lived to be married, and so exceeding multiplied, that she saw seven hundred persons descended from her. The fact is affirmed by Dr. Fuller, in his “Worthies of England,” who relates that he bought the truth thereof by a wager lost on the subject. She died in 1656. Mr. Frank K. Lenthall, the purchaser of the picture, is a descendent of the lady in question, through Bridget, daughter of Sir Thomas Temple, and wife of Sir John Lenthall.

205. Richard Lord Cobham. [Mr. Gore Langton.] 15 15 0. Richard Lord Viscount Cobham—1736.

206. Ann Viscountess Cobham (Kneller). [Mr. Gore Langton.] 12 12 0. Anne Hasley, wife of Richard Lord Viscount Cobham—1723.

207. Ann Countess Temple (Hudson). [Mr. Gore Langton.] 26 5 0. Anna, daughter of Thomas Chamber, Esq., of Hanworth, in the county of Middlesex, and wife of Richard Earl Temple, K.G. She died in 1777.

These last three family portraits were privately valued to Mr. Gore Langton, respectively at fifteen guineas, twelve guineas, and twenty-five guineas.

208. The Hon. James Grenville (Coates). The Dean of Windsor. 9 19 6. The Right Hon. James Grenville—1740.

209. Margaret Banks, wife of Henry Grenville. Banks Stanhope, Esq., Revesby. 11 5 0. Margaret Banks, wife of the Right Hon. Henry Grenville, Governor of Barbados, 1754. This lady was the “Peggy Banks” of Walpole’s letters.

225. Right Hon. Thomas Grenville (after Richmond). 5 5 0. This is an engraving by Lewis, after Richmond. It was privately valued to Mr. Gore Langton at the sum quoted.

Grenville Rooms

339. Hester Grenville Countess of Chatham (Hudson). Farrer. 52 10 0. Lady Hester Grenville, daughter of Richard Grenville, of Wotton, and wife of William Pitt, first Earl of Chatham. Walpole, writing to George Montague, Esq. under date Nov. 16 1754, says:—“Solomon and Hesther, as my Lady Townsend calls Mr. Pitt and Lady Hester Grenville, espouse one another to day.” Viscount Mahon has since become the purchaser of this beautiful portrait of the mother of Pitt, in which the marked and classical features of that celebrated statesman are strongly developed.

340. Sir Thomas Temple (Van Somer). Rev. W. Andrewes 11 11 0. Thomas Temple, eldest son of John Temple, of Stowe, 1584. Ætatis suæ 23. He was afterwards created a baronet by James I, and died in 1625. This portrait was bought by Mr Harrison, of Buckingham, for the Rev. W. Andrewes, vicar of Stowe, who is lineally descended from Sir Henry Andrewes, who married one of the daughters of Sir Thomas Temple.

341. Richard Grenville Earl Temple, in robes of the Garter—half length (Sir J. Reynolds). 168 0 0. Richard Grenville, first Earl Temple, K.G. Obiit 1779. This portrait was privately valued to Mr. Gore Langton, at the price quoted. It has been admirably engraved by William Dickenson.

342. Mary Marchioness of Buckingham, with her son the late Duke—whole length in a landscape (Sir J. Reynolds). The Dean of Windsor. 136 10 0. Mary Nugent Marchioness of Buckingham, with her son, the late Duke of Buckingham, when a child.

343. Lord Grenville, seated at a table (Hoppner). Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P. 68 5 0. William Wyndham Lord Grenville. Obiit 1834.

344. The Right Hon. G. Grenville, in robes (Sir J. Reynolds). 168 0 0. The Right Hon. George Grenville. Obiit 1770. This portrait was privately valued to Mr Gore Langton, for 160 guineas.

345. Sir Richard Temple, 1686—in classical costume (Mignard). The Dean of Windsor. 11 0 6.

347. Robert Earl Nugent, seated—whole length (Gainsborough). Lord Nugent. 106 1 0. Robert Earl Nugent, father of Mary Marchioness of Buckingham; a very beautiful and characteristic portrait. This nobleman, as already stated, was President of the Beef-steak Club, he was also celebrated as the Lord Clare of Goldsmith. The latter in the “Haunch of Venison,” says:–

“To-morrow you take a poor dinner with me;
No words—I insist on’t—precisely at three:
We’ll have Johnson and Burke—all the wits will be there,
My acquaintance is slight, or I’d ask Lord Clare…
What say you—a pasty—it shall and must,
For my wife—little Kitty—is famous for crust,” &c

Lord Nugent purchased this portrait for his venerable kinsman, Field-Marshall Sir George Nugent, Bart., who is grandson of the Earl. The noble lord was opposed for its possession to the last guinea by a broker, who was purchasing for Mr Gurney, of Norwich. We believe we are correct in stating that the moment the latter gentleman understood the latter gentleman was bidding, he desired his agent to desist.

348. Hester Countess Temple (Kneller). Wells. 12 12 0.

349. Mary Lady Arundell (Hoppner). Goldring. 27 16 6. Lady Mary Grenville, daughter of George Marquis of Buckingham, and wife of James Everard Lord Arundell de Wardour. This portrait is now the property of Lady Doughty, of Tichborne Park.

350. Sir Richard Temple, 150 (Lely). Sir Robert Peel, Bart., M.P. 10 10 0.

351. Sir Bevil Grenville. 15 15 0. This portrait of the gallant Sir Bevil Grenville was privately valued to Mr Gore Langton. The picture bears the date—“1639, Ætat. 40.” It was engraved for the late Duke of Buckingham for private circulation.

352. George Marquis of Buckingham, holding his son Richard Earl Temple, whom the Marchioness, seated in the foreground, is about to draw a portrait of—in a landscape—whole length (Sir J. Reynolds). 210 0 0. This fine picture was also withdrawn for the family, at the price quoted.

Twenty-Third Day of Sale

Thursday 14 September 1848.

Grenville Rooms

380. Minchenden House, Southgate, with extensive landscape and water, and figures in the foreground (Wilson). Lord Leigh. £204 15s 0d.

This beautiful landscape was purchased by Mr Redfern for Lord Leigh [Chandos Leigh 1791-1850], who, as before stated, is a lineal descent of the Chandos family. Minchendon House was of the favourite seats of the late Duke of Chandos, and this picture—in which the fine champagne near Southgate is exquisitely depicted—was painted expressly for the Duke by Wilson, the celebrated landscape painter. The view is taken from an elevated position at some distance from the mansion, which is seen in the centre of the picture, seated among ambrosial woods and pastures. The Duke paid Wilson £70 for the picture, and the painter’s receipt for that amount is still preserved. Minchendon House was built by John Nicoll, Esq., and is situated on or near the site of the ancient mansion called Arnold’s, which belonged in the last century to John Weld, Esq. ancestor of the Welds of Lulworth Castle. It passed into the Chandos family by the marriage of Margaret, sole heiress of Mr Nicholl, with James Marquis of Carnarvan, afterwards the last Duke of Chandos. It was for many years the residence of the Duchess Dowager of Carnarvan, and on her decease in 1813, it passed to the Marquis of Buckingham, in right of his lady, daughter and heir to the last Duke of Chandos. The estate was sold by the Duke of Buckingham, in 1829, to a gentleman named Walker, for £14,000.

Source: Forster 1848.

382. The celebrated Chandos Portrait of Shakspeare.

The Thirty-Eighth Day’s Sale

Thursday 5 October

Ward Room

201. A printing press; and a large quantity of type. R. Chandler. 8 18 6. This press was frequently used at Stowe, by the late Duke, for printing compositions of his own in prose and verse, of which a very small number of impressions, never exceeding twenty-five, was taken for distribution among his friends. These productions of the Stowe press are consequently of some rarity; and upon the occasion of some theatrical amusements at Stowe, in 1838, the play-bills were printed there. On that occasion the ante-library was fitted up with the scenery, which, with an extensive wardrobe of dresses, was purchased, many years since, at the sale of the late Margravine of Anspach’s [2] effects at Brandenburgh House.

[2] Elizabeth (Berkeley), Margravine of Anspach (1750-1828), dramatist.