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The party pad where EVERYTHING must go! – dailymail.co.uk
May
By STEPHANIE LINNING FOR MAILONLINE
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From the outside, Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire looks like your typical English stately home. But inside the property is an explosion of eccentric sculptures, artwork and objets d’art, all of which are being sold as part of a landmark auction.
The 17th century Palladian country house was bought in 2006 by self-made millionaire James Perkins and has become an exclusive wedding venue and party pad loved by celebrities including Kate Moss and Stella McCartney.
Now Mr Perkins and his wife Sophie are selling the contents of the ostentatious property as they prepare to move on to other projects, namely the restoration of Parnham Park, in Dorset.
Animal magic: Owners James and Sophie Perkins are selling the contents of Aynhoe Park, Oxfordshire, at auction next month. Among the items for sale is this moulded bronze resin model of a head and shoulder mount of a White Rhino (£3,000-£5,000) and the full-body mount of a royal Danish white stag, which is expected to go for as much as £12,000
Bedroom two: This cosy bedroom is decorated with framed flags (£400-£600), a reindeer or caribou antler and skull mount (£400-£600) and a large Victorian pond yacht (£400-£600)
A collector’s paradise: Among the most well-known pieces at Aynhoe is the ‘Flying Giraffe’, left, by owner James Perkins (£10,000-£15,000). Right, items for sale in the Dining Room include the set of 16 Regency style dining chairs (£4,000-£6,000) and a fibreglass model of a British racing car (just seen), which is expected to fetch between £1,500-£2,500
Moving on: Sophie and James Perkins on one of two yellow upholstered ‘castle chairs’ expected to sell for £1,500-£2,000
Stunning: The 17th century Palladian country house was bought in 2006 by self-made millionaire James Perkins and has become an exclusive wedding venue and party pad loved by celebrities including Kate Moss and Stella McCartney
Highlights of the sale, which will be held by Dreweatts next month, include a £15,000 ‘flying giraffe’ sculpture and a £8,000 unicorn that is currently displayed on top of a piano.
Aynhoe Park was remodelled by the eminent Baroque architect Thomas Archer (1668-1743) who created adjoining wings to form the dramatic forecourt to the North façade.
The interiors at Aynhoe Park were laid out in c. 1800 by Sir John Soane (1753-1837), for William Ralph Cartwright (1771-1847). Soane added grand arch screens, linking the house to Thomas Archer’s newly created wings.
The estate remained in the Cartwright family for generations until it became too expensive to keep. In the 1950s it was reconfigured as a retirement home for landed gentry.
It was later taken on by the Country Houses Association until the organisation’s dissolution in 2004. After two years in decline, it was bought by Mr Perkins who set about restoring the property to its former glory.
Mr and Mrs Perkins will remain involved in the property going forwards but will be focusing their attentions elsewhere.
Eclectic: The collection in the library was described as a mix of ‘Darwin meets art collector meets James Bond baddie’ and includes a model of Mr Punch (£600-£800) and a preserved shark’s head (seen on bookcase, £400-£600)
Bold and beautiful: One of the most recognisable rooms in Aynhoe is the Soane Orangery (left), which features a zebra head mount (£1,200-£1,800) and a green settee designed by Dame Zaha Hadid. Right, the Great Kitchen featuring a stained refectory table (£800-£1,200) and a large model of a First World War biplane (£600-£1,000)
Incredible offering: Among the star pieces is this skull of a triceratops, which has a guide price of £180,000-£250,000
The sale includes conceptual works created by Mr Perkins, a highly rated designer and artist in his own right. Amongst his creations is the original The Aynhoe Moon painting influenced by the clear nights at Aynhoe, the famous, ‘flying giraffe’ from the Orangery and the giant bird’s nest with the golden egg.
There is also an amazing collection of plasterwork sourced from iconic museums comprising of almost 4,500 pieces. The sale will feature some of the key pieces from this impressive assemblage including a huge plaster cast of a section from the Erechteion, Athens (on the north side of the Acropolis) that is expected to fetch £10,000-£15,000.
Commenting on the sale, Mr Perkins said: ‘Aynhoe Park is evocative of the modern Grand Tour, hence the auction title. It is furnished with a collection of iconic objects and curiosities from our travels across the globe. It has been my passion, as well as a family home. We have enjoyed carrying on the tradition of Aynhoe Park by sharing and hosting our home with the most respected people from the world of business, film, fashion, art and music.’
The library: The red leather armchair (£2,000-£4,000) is thought to have belonged to a judge and has a gilt ‘ER’ embossed in the back. On the windowsill behind is an oversized chess set made from carved oak and ash (£2,000-£3,000)
Sleep like a king: A stained pine painted armorial panel (£500-£1,000) and a Victorian Gothic revival four poster bed (£4,000-£6,000), left. Right, the zebra mount in the Soane Orangery
Joe Robinson, Head of Sale, said: ‘This is a truly distinctive collection, unapologetic for its eclecticism and range and emblematic of a life’s enthusiasm for the architectural, the intriguing and the quirky.’
Will Richards, Deputy Chairman of Dreweatts added: ‘Aynhoe Park really is an Aladdin’s cave of beautifully-chosen works, from the academic to the more eclectic and from the ancient to the contemporary. Appropriately titled The Celebration of a Modern Grand Tour is the realisation of a lifetime’s passion and a contemporary take on a tradition that would have been originally reserved for the upper echelons of society.
‘However, at Aynhoe this fascinating collection is available to all and we are delighted to be presenting the sale, reinforcing our position as leaders in handling single owner collections. In line with James’, Sophies’ and Dreweatts’ pioneering spirit it may also be the first ever ‘virtual’ house sale!’
The West Corridor: A continental carved limed oak and markble topped pier table (£1,500-£2,500) and a painting by Frederick Walters Watts (£1,000-£1,500)
There look to be some nice pieces there, worth hav…
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