OIL portraits of one of Gloucestershire and Wiltshire's oldest and most influential families will be going under the hammer tomorrow.
Portraits of the Estcourt family - who were involved in politics, the suppression of slavery and local events across the two counties from 1300 until 1996 - will be going on sale tomorrow at a fine art and antiques auction at Gloucester-based Chorley’s auctioneers on Tuesday, October 17.
The main branch of the family resided at Estcourt House in Shipton Moyne, near Malmesbury, and owned land and estates in Lasborough, Dursley, Long Newnton, Frampton Mansell, Bowldown, Calcott, Avening, Sapperton, Minchinhampton and Tetbury amongst others.
This rare collection of paintings have come from a descendent of the family and this will be the first time that they have been offered for sale, or have left the family’s collection.
A portrait of one of the original MPs for Gloucestershire Sir Thomas Estcourt, who died of the plague in Cirencester in 1624, will be going under the hammer tomorrow.
This oil painting, which dates from the 17th century, has an estimated sale price of between £800 and £1,200.
The earliest portrait in the collection which depicts Thomas de la Estcourt (1545-1599) is estimated to fetch between £4,000 and £6,000 at auction and his tomb can be found at Shipton Moyne Church.
A painting depicting Sir William Estcourt, who was murdered during a sword fight at a dinner party, dates from the early 18th century and is estimated to sell at auction for £2,500-£3,500.
In addition, a portrait of Matthew Estcourt (1701-1762) by George Allen which dates back to 1735, is estimated to sell at £1,200-£1,800.
The auction will also include a poignant reminder of the magnificent family house, in an oil painting by Bertram Nicholls (1883-1974) showing the house in 1945 which carries an estimate £200-£300.
Commenting on the rare works, Thomas Jenner-Fust of Chorley’s said: “This group of portraits features members of one of the most prominent and ancient Gloucestershire and Wiltshire families.
"The family were active in Gloucestershire and Wiltshire life for some 700 years, though the pictures span a period of about half that.
"We expect competition from museums and other institutions, distant family members and of course the decorative market.”
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