Scotland – Bonhams is pleased to announce the successful sale of The Contents of Monreith House: A Historical Seat of Clan Maxwell, offered across two auctions in July from our Edinburgh Saleroom. Part I, a live auction held on 8 July, attracted strong bidding and achieved impressive results across a range of historic furnishings, works of art and family heirlooms from the distinguished Scottish estate. Part II, an online auction which concluded on 9 July, continued the momentum, drawing participation from bidders around the world and achieving strong results across the collection. Highlights from both sales were exhibited in Edinburgh ahead of the auctions, generating significant interest from collectors and the public alike.
Monreith House, the elegant Georgian residence overlooking White Loch, was commissioned in 1791 by Sir William Maxwell, 4th Baronet, and designed by architect Alexander Stevens. Built on the site of the earlier Myrton Castle, elements of which were incorporated into the new structure, the house embodies centuries of Scottish history, linking its medieval origins with Georgian architectural refinement. Long associated with the Maxwell family, one of Scotland's most distinguished lineages, Monreith House has been home to generations who have played notable roles in the nation's political, military and literary life, including Sir Herbert Maxwell and the celebrated naturalist and author Gavin Maxwell.
The collection offered at Bonhams provided a rare opportunity to acquire objects from a house that has remained in the same family for generations. Spanning Old Master paintings, Scottish and English furniture, works of art and sculpture, arms and armour, carpets and deeply personal family possessions, the contents reflected the rich history and character of Monreith House. The strong results achieved across both sales demonstrated continued demand for collections with exceptional provenance and a distinguished country house heritage.
The sale achieved an impressive total of £765,543.
Charlie Thomas Director, UK & Europe House Sales, Private & Iconic Collections, and Furniture commented: "The results achieved across both sales demonstrate the enduring appeal of great country house collections with strong provenance and historical depth. Monreith House offered collectors a rare opportunity to acquire objects that had evolved organically within one family collection over generations. From pieces connected to significant historical moments to deeply personal family possessions, the collection resonated with bidders across multiple categories, reflecting both its quality and exceptional coherence."
Charles Graham-Campbell, Director Bonhams Scotland, commented: "We are thrilled with the results achieved across both auctions. The collection attracted interest from a wide range of collectors, reflecting not only the quality of the objects offered but also the enduring fascination with Scotland's historic houses and the families who shaped them. It has been a privilege to bring this collection to market and to see these remarkable objects begin new chapters with new owners."
Standout results from the Monreith House sale were led by a Mughal gem-set jade sheep head dagger hilt from North India, dating to the 18th/19th century, which achieved £48,640, far surpassing its pre-sale estimate of £10,000–15,000.
Another highlight was Robert Harvie's portrait of Sir William Maxwell, 3rd Baronet of Monreith (1715–1771), which sold for £29,440, significantly exceeding its estimate of £3,000–5,000.
Clifton Tomson's The St Leger Stakes on Doncaster Course (British, 1775–1828), presented in an elegant gilt composition frame. Alive with movement and atmosphere, the painting offered a vivid glimpse into one of the oldest and most celebrated horse races in England, bringing together sport, society, and spectacle in a single compelling scene. The work was estimated at £8,000–12,000, and sold for over double the high estimate at £24,320.
Among the sale's other notable highlights was a rare mid-16th century two-hand sword. It was reputed to have been wielded by the Lord Maxwell at the Battle of Dryfe Sands, the final and most decisive clash in a century long feud between Clan Maxwell and Clan Johnstone. The Johnstone's emerged victorious, and tradition holds that the sword was taken as a trophy before being returned to Sir William Maxwell in the 1830s. The sword was estimated at £6,000 – 8,000 and sold for over three times the high estimate at £28,160.
Other highlights included:
- Attributed to John Worsdale (English, 1692-1767) Portrait of Bonnie Prince Charlie, full length standing, in Highland dress, with a targe, sword and pistol, in a landscape by a castle keep. Estimated at £5,000 – 7,000, sold for £7,040.
- Sir Oswald Birley (British, 1880-1952) Portrait of Sir Herbert Maxwell, 7th Bt. of Monreith, KT, PC, FRS (1845-1937), seated half length, in uniform, holding a sword (in late 18th century style gilt composition frame), estimated at £2,000 – 3,000, sold for £5,760.
- Further enriching the sale is one of those curious, poetic survivals one imagines discovered only in the stillness of a country house attic: the noteworthy artificial wooden finger of Lady Jane Gordon, Duchess of Gordon (née Maxwell). Preserved with a letter recounting its curious story; Jane reportedly had a nasty accident as a 14-year-old when playing in the High Street and got her finger jammed in the wheel of a cart as it moved away. Estimated at £300 – 500, sold for £8,960.