The Fairbairn Collection

Elizabeth Fairbairn, a prominent supporter of the Arts in Edinburgh, was the daughter of the 13th Lord Reay, chief of the clan Mackay. Her mother was Charlotte Younger, daughter of the brewing scion William.

The ancient clan Mackay has its origins in Sutherland. They were great soldiers, Donald Mackay becoming the first Lord Reay in 1628 thanks to his loyal military service to Charles I. As highly effective soldiers for hire, the Mackays fought across Europe, some settling in Holland. When the Scottish line came to have no heirs, the title passed back to the Dutch line. Elizabeth’s father Aeneas was wholly Dutch and Kasteel Ophemert, the gracious 18th century house near Tiel, still belongs in the family. That much of the furniture in this sale is Dutch in origin reflects Elizabeth Fairbairn’s rich family heritage.

Here, we're shining a spotlight on a few select pieces from the collection to be offered in our September auction...

WILLIAM AND MARY INLAID TABLE

LOT 363 | WILLIAM AND MARY OYSTER VENEERED WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD INLAID TABLE | LATE 17TH CENTURY

with label 'Art Treasures Exhibition 1928, No. 49' to the drawer | 81cm wide, 73cm high, 57cm deep | £1,000 - £1,500 + fees

View Lot 363 ⇒

DUTCH ROCOCO NEEDLEWORK OPEN ARMCHAIR

LOT 368 | DUTCH ROCOCO BEECH AND NEEDLEWORK OPEN ARMCHAIR | 18TH CENTURY

in gros and petit point needlework upholstery | 66cm wide, 108cm high, 55cm deep | £1,000 - £1,500 + fees

View Lot 368 ⇒

DUTCH ROCOCO BOMBÉ CABINET ON CHEST

LOT 369 | LARGE DUTCH ROCOCO WALNUT BOMBÉ CABINET ON CHEST | 18TH CENTURY

195cm wide, 239cm high, 71cm deep | £2,000 - £3,000 + fees

View Lot 369 ⇒

DUTCH NEOCLASSICAL FALL FRONT SECRETAIRE

LOT 382 | DUTCH NEOCLASSICAL SATINWOOD, AMARANTH, MARQUETRY, AND JAPANNED FALL FRONT SECRETAIRE | 19TH CENTURY

118cm wide, 163cm high, 51cm deep | £1,500 - £2,500 + fees

View Lot 382 ⇒

MERCURY AND THE BIRTH OF BACCHUS

LOT 387 | SÈVRES BISCUIT FIGURE GROUP ON STAND, MODELLED AS MERCURY AND THE BIRTH OF BACCHUS | STAND DATED 1913

impressed SÈVRES FRANCE with an S within a leaf, incised CV; the cobalt base with red DORE A SÈVRES mark and green date mark, with further incised marks | 44.5cm high, 37cm wide | £600 - £800 + fees

View Lot 387 ⇒

MEISSEN FIGURE GROUP, 'THE LUCKY FAMILY'

LOT 399 | MEISSEN FIGURE GROUP, 'THE LUCKY FAMILY' | AFTER KAENDLER, LATE 19TH CENTURY

underglaze blue crossed swords, incised 604 | 19cm high, 25cm wide | £700 - £1,000 + fees

View Lot 399 ⇒

View The Fairbairn Collection ⇒

Auction Information

Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art

Lot: 1 to 361 - Wed, 1st Sep 2021 10:00

Lot: 362 to 639 - Thu, 2nd Sep 2021 10:00

Live Online | Viewing in Edinburgh

View the auction catalogue ⇒

Works of Art & Sculpture

The Works of Art department sells a wide variety of antique items covering nearly 400 years of European and British design. Sold as part of our Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art sale series, items offered at auction range from the esoteric to those of popular appeal and include sculpture, mechanical items, textiles, decorative objects and artworks. Primarily focused on works produced during the 18th and 19th centuries, our team of specialists and consultants are able to value and advise on the current market.

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Fine Furniture

Selling fine antique furniture has always been at the core of our business, ever since Lyon & Turnbull’s establishment in 1826. Today, our specialist Fine Furniture Auctions department conducts four auctions throughout the year both through our beautiful period saleroom in Edinburgh and via our live online auctions. Our specialists’ knowledge of furniture and the current market are essential to the overall success of sales of antique pieces spanning five centuries of design; from 17th century oak through the finest walnut, mahogany, and satinwood examples of the Georgian, Regency and Victorian periods.

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