White Glove Triumph for Sir Terence Conran’s Personal Collection at Bonhams

Sir Terence ConranThe Contents of Barton Court14 Dec 2022 London, New Bond Street  

Bonhams’ sale of Sir Terence Conran, The Contents of Barton Court, was 100% sold on Wednesday 14 December in New Bond Street, London. The sale, which included furniture, works of art, and decorative design objects from the design titan’s personal collection, made a total of £1,179,500, more than three times the pre-sale estimate.

The top lot of the sale was Sir Allen Jones’s sculpture which stood in the reception area at Conran’s Mezzo restaurant in Wardour Street, London. The polychrome painted steel sculpture of a waiter with a diner made £21,000. Five murals by Allen Jones from Mezzo were also in the sale, sold as separate lots. The top price of the series achieved £20,400.

Sir Terence Conran’s desk, designed by Sir Terence Conran and made by Benchmark Furniture sold for £20,400 against an estimate of £3,000-5,000. Sir Terence Conran’s group of miniature Bugattis, which were sold as individual lots, made a total of £160,267.

Harvey Cammell, Bonhams Global Director, Valuations & Private Collections, commented: “Sir Terence Conran was a legendary figure in the history of modern design, and it has been a real privilege to offer highlights from his personal collection, which all came from his beloved home at Barton Court in Berkshire. The items in this sale demonstrated Sir Terence’s impeccable taste and offered bidders a chance to acquire items of design history. It is no wonder this very special sale achieved such exceptional results.”

Highlights of the sale included:

• A unique wall mounted walnut veneered and geometrically inlaid tool cabinet made by Benchmark Furniture for Sir Terence Conran. Sold for £20,400 (estimate: £3,000 - 4,000).

• ’The Grand Central Station’, The original Bibendum walnut, chromium plated and marble bar from Michelin House. Designed by Sir Terence Conran for the Bibendum restaurant. Sir Terence called it ’The Grand Central Station’. Sold for £17,850 (estimate: £5,000 - 10,000).

• A “Bugatti” pedal car by Eureka, French, circa 1930. Sold for £16,575 (estimate: £1,800 - 2,400).

• René Vincent (French, 1879-1936), Michelin lithographic poster in colours. Sold for £14,025 (estimate: £3,500 - 4,500).

• A Karuselli ’swivelling’ armchair and footstool designed by Yrjö Kukkapuro, made by Avarte. Sold for £11,475 (estimate: £1,000-1,500).

• A large teak ’T’. Sold for £9,562 (estimate: £100 - 150).

• A very large painted tin and wood champagne display model, first half 20th century. Sold for £8,925 (estimate: £1,500 - 2,500).

• A large pine saddler’s model of a pony, French, late 19th / early 20th century. Sold for £8,287 (estimate: £1,500 - 2,500).

• Jason Brooks (British, born 1968), Sir Terence, 2019-20. Sold for £8,287 (£1,000-1,500).

• A white leather and walnut Eames Lounge Chair and Ottoman made by Vitra, from The Conran Shop. Sold for £7,012 (estimate: £800 - 1,200).

• A large model Fokker Eindecker single seat aircraft, first half 20th century. Sold for £7,012 (estimate: £800 - 1,200).

• Pierre Falize (French, 1875-1953), PRUNIER, Livre Vite Et Bien. Sold for £5,100 (estimate: £700 - 1,000).

• A group of Bibendum and Michelin related items and memorabilia. Sold for £2,040 (estimate: £400 - 600).

Sir Terence Conran (1931-2020) was a designer, restaurateur, retailer and writer. He opened his first Habitat shop in Chelsea in 1964, which soon expanded into a chain which brought stylish and affordable design to the masses. By the time The Conran Shop opened its first store in 1973, Conran’s name had become synonymous with good taste. Across his illustrious career, Conran also founded architectural practices, wrote numerous books, and launched award-winning restaurants, including renowned restaurant Bibendum in the converted former Michelin building. In 1989 he founded the Design Museum in London.