THE ALTHORP SEAL
A LATE 19TH CENTURY BANDED AGATE AND GOLD DESK SEAL
Estimate: £1,000 - £1,500
Auction: 17 September 2024 from 10:00 BST
Description
The facetted banded agate handle with a domed mushroom terminal, to a fluted gold collar, the white chalcedony matrix engraved ‘ALTHORP’
Dimensions
7.5cm, 1.6cm x 1.85cm
Provenance
The Matrix Collection
Christies London, 8th July 2010. 'The Althorp Attic Sale - Including The Spencer Carriages'. Lot 86.
Footnote
Althorp, in West Northamptonshire, is a Grade I listed stately home, and has been the home of Spencer family for more than 500 years.
Cited as a hamlet in the Doomsday Book of 1086, the site was purchased by John Spencer in 1508, and rose to become one of the most prominent stately homes in England. In 1788 the architect Henry Holland was commissioned redevelop the original Tudor building, with later additions in 1877 designed by John Macvicar Anderson.
Throughout its history the house has played host to numerous notable figures, including Charles I. Georgiana Cavendish, neé Spencer, The Duchess of Devonshire (1757-1806), known for her political influence and love of socialising, was the daughter of John Spencer, 1st Earl Spencer, and was born at Althorp in 1757. It was also famously the childhood home of Diana, The princess of Wales (1961-1997).
Today the house is open to the public, and it's impressive interior is home to an important collection of art, ceramics and furniture.