Archbald Moffatt House

Archbald Moffatt House, in Moffat, Dumfries and Galloway, was built in 1751, and is a rare survivor that predates Moffat’s redevelopment in the latter part of the 18th century as Scotland’s most significant spa town. At the time the house was built Moffat was at the height of its fame. Archbald Moffatt was a weaver and Kirk Elder, and the vernacular two-storey-plus-attic townhouse he built on a prominent part of Townhead, on what was then called the Kings Highway, reflected the social standing and occupation of the owner. The reason the house escaped demolition and redevelopment was because, unlike most of the town, it was not part of the Annandale Estate which came under the control of the 2nd Earl of Hopetoun in 1758. The house and its outbuildings have undergone few changes since their construction having had three owner-occupiers since 1751,
the building being let from the late 18th century until 1986.

In recent years the house has undergone a program of sympathetic restoration and conservation, and its interiors furnished to reflect the period origins of the property. For further discussion on the history of Archbald Moffatt House, see Scottish Vernacular Building Working Group, National Museums of Scotland, Vernacular Buildings 43 (2020).

Here we take a look at just a few of the highlights from the select property of Archbald Moffatt House included in our February 2021 Five Centuries auction...

LOT 89 |  EARLY GEORGE III WINE TABLES

LOT 89 | MATCHED PAIR OF EARLY GEORGE III WINE TABLES | MID 18TH CENTURY

the square tops with wavy galleries above blind fret carved friezes with cup slides, raised on slender turned legs joined by turned cross stretchers

(Qty: 2) 25.5cm wide, 64cm high, 25.5cm deep | Sold for £1,625 incl premium

View Lot 89 ⇒

LOT 90 | GEORGE III CHEST OF DRAWERS | ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM BRODIE

LOT 90 | SCOTTISH GEORGE III MAHOGANY CHEST OF DRAWERS, ATTRIBUTED TO WILLIAM BRODIE | 18TH CENTURY

the top with a moulded edge over three short drawers and three long graduated drawers, raised on shaped bracket feet

112cm wide, 102cm high, 55cm deep | Sold for £875 incl premium

View Lot 90 ⇒

LOT 91 | GEORGE III FOUR POSTER BED | LATE 18TH CENTURY

LOT 91 | GEORGE III MAHOGANY FOUR POSTER BED | LATE 18TH CENTURY

the straight moulded cornice raised on turned and faceted end posts with tapered block feet

208cm long, 205cm high, 147cm deep | Sold for £3,250 incl premium

View Lot 91 ⇒

LOT 97 | SCOTTISH GEORGE III CAST IRON HOB GRATE | 18TH CENTURY

LOT 97 | SCOTTISH GEORGE III CAST IRON HOB GRATE | 18TH CENTURY

cast with thistles, harps, and roses, with a relief portrait of George III flanked by a pair of heraldic lions

89cm wide, 60cm high, 29cm deep | Sold for £1,375 incl premium

View Lot 97 ⇒

Auction Information

Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art

Wednesday, 10th &  Thursday, 11th February 2021

View the auction results ⇒ 

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