Property from Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian

Newbattle Abbey, which sits outside Edinburgh in the Midlothian countryside, has origins dating back 900 years. Originally a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century by monks from Melrose Abbey, it was developed in the 16th century as a country house, with expansions and further improvements in the 18th and 19th centuries. The house incorporates some existing elements of the earlier abbey in the south part, with stone used for building the new house as well as a new parish church. Newbattle Abbey is considered a rare example of a Scottish house converted for secular use which retained elements from its ecclesiastical past. It is now a category A listed building due to its national and historical importance.

LOT 15 | OTTOMAN SADDLE, RED VELVET SADDLE-CLOTH, AND TACKLE | LATE 18TH/ EARLY 19TH CENTURY

the saddle covered in yellow silk velvet with a white metal horn embossed with a cartouche and military trophy; the trapezoidal saddle-cloth of red silk velvet with applied gilt metal stars and silvered stud decoration, the central reserve with cut-outs for the the saddle back and horn; with a partial leather and white metal bridle and breastplate

Saddle-cloth 142cm x 208cm | Sold for £70,000*

As a result of the Reformation, the abbey and estate passed into the ownership of Mark Kerr. Son of a local landowner,v he converted to Protestantism and was named lay Abbot of Newbattle Abbey in 1547. Kerr’s son, also named Mark, was created 1st Earl of Lothian in 1604 and several generations later Robert Kerr, the 4th Earl of Lothian was elevated to Marquess. The house and estate played a prominent role in Scottish as well as British history, twice sacked during Henry VIII’s ‘Rough Wooing’, and hosted multiple royal visitors over its 900 years. These included Alexander II in 1241, Edward I of England in 1296, Princess Margaret in 1503, James V in 1526, Mary of Guise in 1557, George IV in 1822, and a visit by Queen Victoria in 1886.

LOT 1 | UNRECORDED ITALIAN MAIOLICA HANDLED SPOUTED DRUG JAR | SIENA, CIRCA 1510-1530

with short cylindrical neck and tubular spout united by a single twisted rope of clay, fitted with a thick handle of flat joined bands decorated with green stripes, above the bulbous body with pharmacy label inscribed SYo. DEISAP. O and a gadrooned urn, decorated throughout with polychrome grotesque decoration of stylised dolphins, birds and flowerheads on an orange ground, within characteristic bands of interlaced ornamental knotwork, incised L6 d ?2 to the base, (for ‘libbre’ (pounds) and ‘once’ (ounces) likely equating to 2095.2gm, its modern weight when empty)

27cm high, 25.5cm wide | Sold for £8,750*

In 1930, shortly after inheriting the estates of Newbattle, Monteviot, Ferniehurst and Blickling, the 11th Marquess of Lothian decided to hand over Newbattle Abbey, its contents and 125 acres of garden and parkland to a foundation that would run an education college. Newbattle Abbey College opened to students in 1937 and, apart from a break during World War II, its educational role continues to this day.

LOT 14 | OTTOMAN SADDLE AND METAL-THREAD EMBROIDERED RED GROUND SADDLE CLOTH | 18TH CENTURY

the saddle with a raised pommel and cantle, covered in yellow velvet with metallic thread embroidery; the saddle cloth of red silk velvet with floral and foliate metallic thread embroidery and gilt metallic thread tassel trim

(Qty: 3) Saddle cloth 112cm x 98cm | Sold for £9,375*

An eclectic collection of pieces from Newbattle Abbey, Midlothian were an exciting opener to our February Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art auction in Edinburgh. Two remarkable Ottoman saddles (Lots 15 & 14), achieved £70,000* and £9,375* respectively, with the collection in total reaching £104,501*. A number of pieces of rare, previously unrecorded 16th century maiolica wares generated international interest  with an Italian handled spouted drug jar, dated circa 1510-1530, selling for £8,750 and a pair of Italian albarellos, from a set of pharmacy jars by Andrea di Marco di Jacopo de le Scine achieving £5,250*. 

View the Full Auction Results ⇒

Auction Information 

Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art

Wednesday 05 February 2020 | Edinburgh

Header image: © Crown copyright: HES

*All sold prices are including premium