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...
LOT 363 | WILLIAM AND MARY OYSTER VENEERED WALNUT AND FRUITWOOD INLAID TABLE | LATE 17TH CENTURY
LOT 368 | DUTCH ROCOCO BEECH AND NEEDLEWORK OPEN ARMCHAIR | 18TH CENTURY
LOT 369 | LARGE DUTCH ROCOCO WALNUT BOMBÉ CABINET ON CHEST | 18TH CENTURY
LOT 382 | DUTCH NEOCLASSICAL SATINWOOD, AMARANTH, MARQUETRY, AND JAPANNED FALL FRONT SECRETAIRE | 19TH CENTURY
LOT 399 | MEISSEN FIGURE GROUP, 'THE LUCKY FAMILY' | AFTER KAENDLER, LATE 19TH CENTURY
View The Fairbairn Collection ⇒
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.
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.