Statement pieces: Contents of Grade I country house Aynhoe Park offered at auction next week

The auction of the contents of a 17th century Grade I country house, Aynhoe Park in Oxfordshire, is being held by Dreweatts with live bidding available on thesaleroom.com.

The full catalogue is now live online and the auction house has produced a promotional video showing many of the items in situ at the house.

The Palladian stately home is the celebrated family residence of James and Sophie Perkins who bought Aynhoe Park, the historic seat of the Cartwright family until 1959, in 2006. James Perkins founded the rave music promoter Fantazia and together with his wife extensively renovated the 28-bedroom home and decorated the interior with art, sculpture, antiques, decorative furnishings and taxidermy (including their own creations). The collection totals more than 4500 items.

The sale is titled ‘Aynhoe Park: The Celebration of a Modern Grand Tour’.

While some lots are predicted to fetch five and even six-figure sums – the highest-estimated lot is a skull of a triceratops (yes you read that correctly) estimated at £180,000-250,000 – below we pick out five more affordably-pitched lots to give a flavour of what’s on offer.

1. Hosting the elite

Driftwood pedestal occasional tables – estimated at £300-400 at Dreweatts’ Aynhoe Park sale.

Aynhoe Park recently received a global accolade after playing host to celebrities from the worlds of music, film, business and fashion. Owner James Perkins said: “Aynhoe Park is evocative of the modern Grand Tour, hence the auction title. It is furnished with a collection of iconic objects and curiosities from our travels across the globe. It has been my passion, as well as a family home.”

Among the striking objects on offer from the property is this pair of pedestal occasional tables, made from driftwood and glass tops. They are estimated at £300-400.

View the catalogue entry for these occasional tables on thesaleroom.com.

2. Make a statement

A studded brass chest – estimated at £300-500 at Dreweatts’ Aynhoe Park sale.

The Aynhoe Park sale includes plenty of ‘statement’ pieces whether they be furniture, taxidermy or sculpture.

This studded brass chest of two drawers by Sarreid is a modern late 20th century piece which certainly has a striking quality.

View the catalogue entry for this brass chest on thesaleroom.com.

3. Lighting the canon

A table lamp formed from a 19th century British military artillery shell carrying case – estimated at £300-500 at Dreweatts’ Aynhoe Park sale.

You won’t find one of these on the high street. This 19th century British military artillery shell carrying case has been converted into a table lamp. It is estimated at £300-500 at the Aynhoe Park sale.

The shell case has a waxed canvas and carries the Royal arms.

View the catalogue entry for this table lamp on thesaleroom.com.

4. His master’s voice

HMV oak wind-up gramophone – estimated at £80-120 at Dreweatts’ Aynhoe Park sale.

While HMV is widely known today as a music and film retailer, the company began its life as a maker of gramophones. The products it produced are now sought not just by specialist collectors but also by buyers who find their decorative vintage look appealing.

This HMV oak wind-up gramophone with a tinplate horn dates from 1925-50 and is estimated at £80-120 at the Aynhoe Park sale.

View the catalogue entry for this HMV gramophone on thesaleroom.com.

5. Sit back and relax

A mahogany ‘county seat’ armchair offered at the Aynhoe Park sale being held by Dreweatts.

A mahogany ‘county seat’ armchair with navy upholstery and brass casters is estimated at £500-800 at the Aynhoe Park sale.

View the catalogue entry for this ‘county seat’ armchair on thesaleroom.com.