Bridehead: Auction of the Contents

Bridehead, an exceptional manor house in West Dorset situated amongst picturesque chalk downland, has been the home of seven generations of the Williams family for over 220 years. The lands of Littlebredy were first documented as Brydian in the Domesday Survey, having been gifted to Cerne Abbey by the Duke of Cornwall in 987. After the Dissolution of the Monasteries in the reign of Henry VIII, the estate passed through various owners until the Mellor family built the first manor house beside the source of the River Bride in about 1600. The Mellors became absentee owners as time went on, and the house was neglected by farm tenants until the estate was purchased by Robert Williams in 1797.

Robert was descended from a younger son of the Williams family at Herringston, just outside Dorchester, and had made good as a cabinet maker, ship’s upholder, East India Company trader and banker in London before moving back to be closer to his family’s Dorset roots. He and subsequent generations transformed the old farmhouse into a Regency manor house and landscaped the surrounding grassland into a park, damming the river source to form a two-and-a-half-acre lake beside the house, as well as converting Littlebredy into a model village, providing its mediaeval church with one of Dorset’s few spires, and extending the house westwards in a distinctive Gothic Revival style.

Changing family circumstances have resulted in the sale of the Bridehead Estate in 2025, and the forthcoming auction sale of many of its contents and chattels promises a glimpse into a world of interiors evoking the passage of time. Among the items on offer are oil paintings by Richard Ramsay Reinagle (1775 – 1862) and Adriaen Van De Velde (1636 – 1672). A still life of flowers in a basket by Jacob Marrel (1614 – 1681) dated 1636 can now be found in the drawing room and was once exhibited in the Holburne Museum, Bath.

The furniture on offer includes works by George Bullock and other leading early 19th century designers of the highest quality. In the first case an impressive oak and pollard oak dining table, some 4.5 metres long, is reputed to be after the design commissioned by the British Government for Napoleon’s home in exile on St. Helena.

The family’s eighteenth century trading interests enabled the acquisition of a stunning collection of oriental ceramics, much of which survives for sale in June. Upon entering the hall, the eye is immediately drawn to a captivating sight: a striking pair of Chinese porcelain Famille Rose fish bowls, their vibrant colours and intricate designs a testament to masterful artistry. Elevated with an air of regal sophistication, they rest upon a pair of Regency ebonised and parcel-gilt jardiniere stands. Many smaller items will also be presented, all redolent of the history of a landed family throughout the past two centuries.

The dispersal of a vast family library, encompassing over 1,000 books, represents a significant event for collectors and institutions alike. Among the literary treasures destined for sale are notable botanical and political rarities. A second edition of ‘The Vegetable System’ by the acclaimed English botanist John Hill offers insight into the scientific advancements of its time. Further adding to the historical significance of the collection are volumes 1-9 of "Political Sketches" by the Irish cartoonist John Doyle, whose satirical portrayals of prominent figures are also held within the prestigious National Portrait Gallery and the Victoria & Albert Museum, making these volumes highly sought after pieces.

Duke’s will be conducting the auction sale in their Dorchester saleroom on Thursday 12th and Friday 13th June, with viewing at Bridehead during the preceding week, offering a rare opportunity to experience these remarkable pieces in their original context.

All enquiries about the auction should be referred to [email protected] or on +44(0)1305 265080.