A Standout Year: Burstow & Hewett in 2025

Our Fine Antiques sales continued to flourish throughout 2025, but one event outshone them all: The Contents of a Sussex Country Manor House. This remarkable auction represented the lifetime collection of a prominent local antiques collector and dealer, whose passing earlier this year brought an extraordinary array of pieces to market. His tastes were refined and wonderfully diverse, spanning Asian Art, Walking Sticks, Fine Furniture, Bronzes, Equestrian Objects, Silver & Jewellery, and many unique treasures seldom seen at auction.

The sale became a true landmark for Burstow & Hewett—a white glove auction in which every one of the 1,166 lots sold, a testament to the exceptional quality of the collection and the enthusiasm it generated among bidders.

Standout pieces included:
• August Kiss (1802–1865), The Amazon With a Panther — a dramatic large-scale zinc sculpture that achieved £9,920.
• A monumental Burmese silver Thabeik bowl, commanding an impressive £10,400.
• A rare Victorian painted cast-iron 'Whippet' dog double stick stand by Coalbrookdale & Co, which sold for £3,800.

An auction of such calibre called for something equally special behind the scenes. Our Head of Photography, Grace, went above and beyond to create a beautifully produced printed catalogue—an exceptional book that perfectly complemented the significance of the sale and served as a fitting tribute to the collector’s legacy.

Other Fine Antiques highlights included a beautifully carved coral Chinese figure of an immortal, which sold for £7,800, and a pair of Russian Gardner figures which made £6,500.

Our monthly Luxury Watches, Fine Jewellery & Silver auction has rapidly grown into one of our biggest and most successful departments—thanks in no small part to our in-house gemmologist, Will Ellin FGA DGA. His expertise continues to attract exceptional pieces and discerning buyers alike.

This year delivered some truly dazzling results. A show-stopping five-stone diamond ring achieved £11,160 in our November Fine & Exceptional Jewellery sale, while an exquisite Art Deco 2.63ct single-stone diamond ring reached £10,780 in our first auction of the year in January.

With gold prices hitting record highs, we also saw extraordinary results in the saleroom. A standout was an Art Deco 18ct gold dressing table set by Asprey, which soared to an astounding £27,730.
See below for more exceptional highlights.

We see hundreds of paintings, sculptures, and prints pass through our saleroom each month, yet some still manage to surprise us. In November, two bronze sculptures by Croatian artist Vojin Bakić far exceeded expectations, achieving a remarkable £21,080 and selling to a bidder from Croatia—the highest hammer price for a single lot in our auctions this year.

April brought another notable moment when a life-size portrait of Thomas Cromwell, Earl of Essex, by Sir Godfrey Kneller, reached an impressive £7,440.

Take a look at more Fine Art highlights below.

Our Homes & Interiors auctions delivered an exciting array of discoveries throughout 2025, with eclectic offerings that delighted collectors, decorators, and curiosity-seekers alike. These sales remain some of our most diverse and characterful, and this year brought several memorable moments.

One of the most remarkable results came from a rare Bru Junior & Co. china doll, collected from a local house clearance. This exquisite example achieved an impressive £11,160 due to its exceptional condition and rarity.

Another highlight was an extensive collection of Robert “Mouseman” Thompson furniture. Revered for its craftsmanship and iconic carved mouse signature, it collectively realised over £26,000.

And in perhaps the most unexpected moment of the year, a taxidermy giraffe head—weird, wonderful, and certainly unforgettable—charged past expectations to sell for just under £4,000. It quickly became one of the most talked-about lots in the saleroom.

From the charming to the extraordinary, our Homes & Interiors department once again showcased the magic that happens when unique objects find their perfect new homes.

Our bi-monthly 20th Century Design auctions featured a stylish array of classic mid-century design. This year’s sales brought a refined mix of Scandinavian furniture, studio ceramics, contemporary design, and modernist treasures—many of which achieved outstanding results.

A highlight was a beautifully crafted set of 1960s rosewood dining chairs by Niels Otto Møller for JL Møller, Denmark. Renowned for their sculptural lines and impeccable joinery, the set drew strong competition and reached £9,750, reflecting the growing appeal of Danish modern design.

Adding charm and character was a delightful studio ceramic by Bernard Moss of Mevagissey, Cornwall—a Rabbi with birds on a rocking base, which sold for £845.