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Descendants of the immensely wealthy de Rothschild family have raised £1.4 million by selling some of their mansion’s incredible contents.
The exquisite array of art and antiques was collected by the de Rothschild dynasty, including Alfred, who was considered one of the greatest art collectors of the 19th century.
All items sold can be traced back to the families of wealthy bankers for the past 150 years before ending up at Exbury House in the New Forest.
Lionel de Rothschild acquired the house in 1919 and moved in with his family, including his wife Marie-Louise.
He renovated the place, focusing mainly on creating beautiful gardens.
Lionel died in 1942 and Exbury House is now owned by his grandson David de Rothschild, who is also called Lionel, his middle name.
Young Lionel has cleared some of the contents of the 18th-century mansion anticipating an interior change.
Over 200 works of art, ornate furniture and gold antiques were sold by Woolley & Wallis Auctioneers of Salisbury, Wilts.
The most valuable item for sale was the Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table.
The most valuable item for sale was the Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table (pictured). It has a lapis lazuli center surrounded by Egyptian alabaster and rings of decoration with scrolling leaves and flowers
All items sold can be traced through the family of wealthy bankers for the past 150 years before ending up at Exbury House (pictured) in the New Forest
Included in the sale were a pair of 16th century silver figures of a crossbowman and a swordsman that fetched £21,000 when they went under the hammer
It has a lapis lazuli center, surrounded by Egyptian alabaster and ornamental rings with leaves and flowers.
The beautifully crafted table rests on a Siena marble base and is 3ft high and 3ft wide.
It was valued after Alfred de Rothschild’s death in 1918 while kept in the Winter Garden at Halton House in Buckinghamshire.
In 1918 it was valued at the equivalent of £3,500, but after a bidding war it fetched £200,000, three times its estimated value.
Also included in the sale were a pair of 16th-century silver figures of a crossbowman and a swordsman that fetched £21,000 when they went under the hammer.
Chloe Davie of the Woolley & Wallis sales room is depicted holding a French Ormolu mantel clock and a French Louis XV clock, while three parade shields stand in the background
Descendants of the immensely wealthy de Rothschild family have raised £1.4 million by selling some of their mansion’s incredible contents. Pictured is a gilt bronze glass and rock crystal chandelier
The current owner of the 18th century mansion (pictured), Lionel de Rothschild, has cleared some of its contents prior to an interior change
The collection crammed into the Woolley & Wallis sales area. Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards (pictured) said: ‘The collection was so special because of the range of items on sale and the history of the items that passed through the family’
A South German gilt cooper table case, which is engraved with a scene of Adam and Eve next to the Tree of Knowledge in the Garden of Eden
Another notable piece was the Milanese gunsmith’s cabinet with late 16th century plaques mounted on the 11 drawers around a central hinged drawer.
The plaques depict scenes from Roman history, including satyr masks, soldiers and the hero Gaius Mucius Scaevola who was known for his bravery.
It sold for more than double its expected value when it went under the hammer, for £40,000.
Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards said: ‘The Rothschild family has long had a well-deserved reputation for sourcing exceptional pieces from high quality and talented artisans.
Over 200 works of art, ornate furniture and gold antiques were sold by Woolley & Wallis Auctioneers of Salisbury, Wilts
A rare Italian wine barrel model that sold for £19,000. The beautiful array of art and antiques was collected by the de Rothschild dynasty
The Rothschild Raffaelli mosaic table (center). The beautifully crafted table rests on a Siena marble base and is 3ft high and 3ft wide
One of a set of 14 mahogany dining room chairs that belonged to the Rothschilds and were up for auction. The family is currently estimated to be the richest family in the world, valued at £450 billion
A pair of Rothschild Lapis Lazuli Tazze. Auctioneer Mark Yuan-Richards said: ‘It is becoming increasingly rare to come across such a historical collection and such an extensive provenance is like gold dust’
‘That is illustrated by the mosaic table, a finely detailed piece of craftsmanship by one of the leading artists of the time.
“The collection was so special because of the range of items and the history of the items that passed through the family.
‘It is becoming rarer to come across such a historical collection and such an extensive provenance is like gold dust.
“Some of the items that went on sale have been passed down through the family for generations.”
The de Rothschild dynasty rose to prominence in Frankfurt, Germany, during the 1760s with Mayer Amshel de Rothschild founding the banking business.
His five sons managed to expand and were the beginning of the family’s international banking empire.
The de Rothschild family is currently estimated to be the richest family in the world, valued at £450 billion.