Bonhams to auction contents of The Decorator Source antique shop

The contents of ‘The Decorator Source’, the well known antique shop in the heart of the Cotswold town of Tetbury, will be sold in a single owner sale of antiques and decorative furniture at Bonhams Knightsbridge on 8th October.

The sale will include over 500 lots made up of the contents of the large Queen Anne townhouse from which The Decorator Source has operated for the past 20 years. The building is now in need of refurbishment and the entire collection of stock, belonging to The Decorator Source owner Colin Gee, is to be sold.

Prices range from £100 for a French tobacconist sign, to £12,000-£18,000 for a pair of globes.

Colin Gee comments: “I will always be an antiques dealer, but I’m keen to focus my efforts on working even more closely with interior designers and decorators, as well as my private clients. I plan to return to the fray with a new venture in the autumn.”

Many of the items have been sourced from private houses on the Continent and include furniture, decorative arts, ceramics and works of art from the 18th and 19th century as well as a collection of animal skulls and antlers.

Among the highlights are an impressive and rare pair of 19th century library globes mounted on regency stands. Standing at over 1 meter tall and beautifully restored to their former glory, the globes are offered for sale with an estimate of £12,000-£18,000. “Globes have always been extremely valuable,” said Colin. “In the past, only the wealthiest houses would have been able to own a globe, meaning a limited number were created. Their rarity means that they hold their great value today”.

Another noteworthy lot is an 18th century French ‘Aubusson verdure’ tapestry valued at £6,000-£8,000 depicting a wooded scene with chateau and lake, enclosed by vine and leaf borders. Tapestry manufacture at Aubusson in central France was of the highest quality. The conventional ‘verdure’ background is evident with its stylised foliage and plants through which castles and towns can be glimpsed.

Other highlights are a pair of Victorian giltwood library armchairs in the manner of Gillows expected to sell for £3,000-£4,000 and a collection of plaster casts including a pair of simulated terracotta Sphinxes estimated at £2,000-£3,000.

Colin Gee’s personal collection of over 40 black basalt ceramic pieces, gathered together over the past 20 years, and a collection of white Wedgewood, Creil and Montereau ceramics are included in the sale on 8th October. The collection began as Colin looked for pieces to fill an empty bookshelf, and grew as the block color pieces stood beautifully together in black and white pure form silhouette.