Wotton Auction Rooms’ January sale, taking place on Tuesday 21st and Wednesday 22nd of January, features an eclectic range of lots.
One of the most eye-catching is a pair of 17th century ‘dummy boards’ or ‘silent companions’ measuring around one metre tall (lot 1411). They depict a boy and a girl, the boy wearing a red tunic with intricate lace collar and cuffs, holding a rose in one hand and a cane in the other. The girl is wearing a dark dress with lace collar, hands held to side and waist, a small, seated spaniel accompanies her beside her feet.
The boards are from the collection of the 3rd Earl of Cowper, who lived at Pashanger House, Hertfordshire, later by family descent into the collection at Firle Place, near Lewes, East Sussex. It’s thought they could have been cut from paintings and mounted on the boards.

“The paintings would date to around 1620-1640 and I think they became dummy boards in the early 18th century,” explained Joseph Trinder, Auctioneer, Valuer and Managing Director at Wotton Auction Rooms.
“They’re in immaculate condition for the period and very hard to put a price on, and we’ve estimated them at £4,000 – £6,000.”
Other items include a large silver wine cooler (lot 223) made in Sheffield in 1913 by Walker and Hall and is estimated at £1,500 – £2,000.
The sale also features an Arts and Crafts Cotswold School fitted wardrobe by Ernest Gimson (lot 1482) made of pale English walnut which is estimated at £4,000 – £6,000.
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