Bonhams to sell collection belonging to pioneer of Regency style - Thomas Hope

Above: An Empire mahogany and gilt bronze mounted breakfront Library Bookcase in the manner of Jacob-Desmalter. Property from the family of Thomas Hope. 401cm wide, 45cm deep, 260cm high (157.5" wide, 17.5" deep, 102" high). Estimate: £12,000 - 18,000


Bonhams Auction, New Bond Street 26 November 2008 at 2pm

A collection of items relating to the celebrated Regency designer Thomas Hope (1769-1831) will be sold at Bonhams – directly from the Hope family. The collection of heirlooms will be sold on Wednesday 26 November 2008 in the Fine English Furniture and Works of Art sale at Bonhams New Bond Street salerooms.

The collection comprises letters, sculpture, silver and jewellery, which belonged to Thomas Hope as well as his son, Adrian John Hope (1811-1863) and grandson Adrian Elias Hope (1845-1919).

One of the most interesting items in the collection is a group of letters between Thomas Hope and the English sculptor and draughtsman, John Flaxman, estimated at £800-1,200. Other items include a William IV silver table service of flatware, estimated at £15,000-20,000, an Empire mahogany breakfront library bookcase, estimated at £12,000-18,000 and a marble bust of Adrian John Hope by John Henry Foley (Irish 1818-1874), estimated at £5,000-7,000.

Thomas Hope was an innovative designer and major figure in the history of British design. His contributions in the fields of interior design, architecture and the decorative arts helped to define the Regency style, a mode of design which continues to be influential.

Of Scottish decent, Thomas Hope was born in Amsterdam into one of the wealthiest banking families in Europe. Aged 18 he embarked on the Grand Tour which was to last ten years. He moved to London in 1794 and bought a house on Duchess Street which quickly became the epitome of sophistication and good taste. Through opening his house to the public, Hope became the forefather of interior design as we know it today, writing his book Household Furniture and Interior Decoration, 1808.


Bonhams Catalogue