Kildwick Hall auction - 1946

John Jeremy, the younger of the Brigg twins who lived at Kildwick Hall, died in 1945; he was the last of the sons of Sir John Brigg. At the end of January 1946 a large auction of personal effects and furniture was held at the hall. It was reported in the Craven Herald (dated 1st February 1946):

There was a large attendance of buyers at the two-day sale of furniture and books at Kildwick Hall, Kildwick, the property of the late Mr. J.J. Brigg J.P., a former alderman of the West Yorkshire County Council and a prominent figure in the public life of the district, which took place on Monday and Tuesday. High prices were realised for many of the antique furnishings, and there was a heavy demand for some of the collection of curious weapons. A number of Yorkshire books were sold at good prices.

The auctioneers were Messrs. Hollis and Webb, of Leeds.

Among the prices realised were:

  • Antique court cupboard, 175 gns;
  • Cromwellian brass court lantern clock, 44 gns;
  • pair of Stewart chairs, 44 gns;
  • antique oak coffer, 48 gns;
  • Spanish treasure chest, 23 gns;
  • antique carved dwarf bookcase, 31 gns;
  • two oak gate-leg tables, 11½ and 10 gns;
  • antique Georgian mahogany clock with dial, by John Hartley, 50 gns;
  • pair of flint-lock pistols, £9;
  • miniature of Lady Amelia Brooke, 11½ gns;
  • a Japanese brass figure of a god, 9 gns;
  • painting of a gentleman circa 1500, 18 gns;
  • an antique oak music chest, 12 gns;
  • a Turkey carpet (24ft by 14 ft), 38 gns;
  • a Vienna oval snuff box, 18 gns;
  • an oak corner table, £7;
  • a hundred-day clock with bras skeleton frame, £8 10s;
  • a Ruskin sketch of Oxford, £3 10s;
  • three various flint-lock pistols and a revolver, 7 gns;
  • two Arab rifles £7;
  • three Leeds pottery openwork dishes and two Don pottery openwork dishes, £3 5s.

It was stated that during the view day one of the miniatures had been stolen.

Note: 1 gn = 1 guinea = 21s = £1 5p.

Does anyone know what happened to the items that were put up for sale ? Who bought them, and are any still in the local area ?

Click to see the full auction catalogue. We also have a letter of condolence sent to Mary Sharpe, John Jeremy's sister.

 

Posted: 26/11/2016
The auction catalogue and letter of condolence were kindly donated to our archive by Helen Waller.