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Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Wednesday, December 10, 2008 10:20 pm by M. in    No comments
The Telegraph publishes more details and several additional pictures about the upcoming audition at Christie's of a doll's house allegedly decorated by Charlotte Brontë:
Described as "unique" by art experts, the cabinet contains four rooms decorated with miniature figures and furniture by the author of Jane Eyre. It was last owned by Roger Warner, the legendary antiques dealer, whose private collection is to be auctioned by Christie's in January.
The "George II grained four-room 'baby' house circa 1750" was redecorated by Bronte in 1839 during her time as a governess for the Sidgwicks, a wealthy family based in Skipton, Yorkshire.
Bronte was deeply unhappy working for the family, who lived in an imposing house known as Stonegappe, which is thought to have provided the inspiration for Gateshead Hall, the house where Jane Eyre's story begins.
Bronte's redecoration of the doll's house is mentioned in a letter she wrote to her sister, Emily, in June 1839: "I said in my last letter that Mrs [Sidgwick] did not know me. I now begin to find she does not intend to know me; that she cares nothing about me, except to contrive how the greatest possible quantity of labour may be got out of me; and to that end she overwhelms me with oceans of needlework; yards of cambric to hem, muslin night-caps to make, and, above all things, dolls to dress."
Mr Warner is thought to have paid around £400 at auction for the doll's house in 1974, which is expected to fetch up to £8,000 when it goes on sale next month.
Andrew Waters, Christie's' director of private collections and country house sales, said the doll's house was an extremely rare example of Bronte's artistic flair away from her quill and ink well.
"I am not aware of any other recorded item that has been decorated by Charlotte Bronte, which gives this piece a unique and charming personal connection with such an iconic figure," he said.
Mr Warner, who died in May aged 95, was one of the most respected and renowned figures in the world of antiques and fine art. For 50 years, he ran a legendary antiques shop in Burford, Oxfordshire, with a client list that included Queen Mary, Princess Margaret, Walt Disney and the actor Peter Ustinov.
He also became a well-known television personality during the 1960s and 1970s, appearing on the BBC's antiques programme, Going for a Song.
Other key pieces that will feature in the auction include a chair once belonging to the poet William Wordsworth and a fragment of 17th century lace which is reputed to have been torn from a church altar by Oliver Cromwell.
The auction at Christie's' South Kensington headquarters on January 20 and January 21 will offer around 700 lots from Mr Warner's private collection, which is expected to raise more than £800,000. (Roya Nikkah)

The bedroom of the doll's house, decorated by Charlotte Bronte. Photo: GEOFF PUGH

The living room in the doll's house, decorated by Charlotte Bronte. Photo: GEOFF PUGH

Jenny Mabire of Christie's holding a doll from the house Photo: GEOFF PUGH

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