The Sale of the House and Estate of Thornton 1904-5
In 1878 HENRY CAVENDISH inherited the estate. He spent his time away exploring Africa, became bankrupt and sold Thornton. The sale of the house took place in 1904 and the estate was sold in 1905.

There are two sales catalogues known to have survived, one in the Buckinghamshire Achive Department and the other in the Buckinghamshire Archaeological Society's library. The map of the estate (1905) drawn up for the sale is in the Oxfordshire Diocese Archive Department.

Facing sheet of the Sale Catalogue
Facing sheet of the Sale Catalogue

BY DIRECTION OF THE TRUSTEE IN BANKRUPTCY. To connoisseurs and others.
"Thonton Hall," near Buckingham,
About 4 miles from Buckingham, 6 from Wolverton, and 8½ from Bletchley Junction on the L. & N.W. Ry.
ALEX. H. TURNER & CO.
Are instructed to sell by Auction, on the premises,
On TUESDAY, MARCH 1st, 1904, and the 3 following days
At TWELVE o'clock each day,
THE GREATER PORTION OF THE VALUABLE AND INTERESTING
CONTENTS of the MANSION
INCLUDING
Fine examples of early Jacobean carved oak furniture,
TWO MAGNIFICENT ELIZABETHAN BEDSTEADS
richly carved and inlaid, of Historic Interest.
CARVED OAK BEDROOM SUITES,
OLd English Bureaus and Empire Chests.
CHIPPENDALE SHERATON AND HEPPLEWAITE FURNITURE,
MARQUETERIE CABINETS and CHAIRS of the 17th Century.
MAHOGANY BEDROOM APPOINTMENTS,
TWO ANCIENT ITALIAN CARVED ARMOIRES,
RARE OLD LAC JAPAN CABINETS AND TABLES,
BOUDOIR GRAND PIANOS AND SPINET (by Collard & Collard).
BILLIARD TABLE on Marbled Frame,
ELEGANT BUHL & TORTOISESHELL CABINET; ESCRITOIRES, BOOKCASES,
LIBRARY AND DINING-ROOM FURNITURE
"GRANDFATHER" and BRACKET CLOCKS, a few BRONZES, ORNAMENTAL CHINA and BRIC-a-BRAC,
2 VALUABLE TELESCOPES by Dolland and Adams, and numerous Articles of VERTU, 2 "CAP-A-PIE"
SUITS of ARMOUR
ABOUT 4,000 VOLUMES OF BOOKS,
And Miscellaneous Effects.
On view Saturday 27th, and Monday 29th February, between the hours of Ten and Four.
Illustrated Catalogues (price 6d.) can be obtained of the Trustee, ARTHUR E. PRESTON, Esq,.
55, Cornmarket Street, Oxford, and of the Auctioneers,
69, SOUTH AUDLEY STREET, GROVESNOR SQUARE, W.
NOTE. - The important Freehold Residential Estate (covering an area of about 1621 acres) is for sale. Illustrated Particulars can be had of the Auctioneers.
It seems rather odd that the sale began with the furnishings of the servants quarters.
Thornton Hall, near Buckingham

FIRST DAY'S SALE

TUESDAY, MARCH 1st, 1904,

AT TWELVE O'CLOCK PRECISELY.

CATALOGUE.

Servants' Apartments,

Lot

  1. A mahongany four-post bedstead, alva mattress, wool mattress, feather bolster and pillow
  2. Two painted four-post beds, palliasses and 3 wool mattresses
  3. Two japanned washstands with cupboards and drawers, 16 pieces of toilet ware and a sponge bath
  4. Two japanned dressing tables, 2 mahogany-frame swing toilet glasses and a japanned boot cupboard
  5. An old tapestry carpet and 2 Dutch ditto
  6. A 3ft. japanned wardrobe with 2 shelves and 5 drawers
  7. A similar lot
  8. A 4ft painted garderobe with pair of doors and 2 drawers.
  9. A similar lot
  10. A 3ft. 6in. japanned chest of 5 drawers
  11. A mahogany commode, bidet, pedestal cupboard with marble top, and a towel airer
  12. A similar lot
This is just part of the catalogue of the 100's of items sold. Absolutely everything was disposed of from fenders and carpets to china and blankets.
Lot 299 - ANTIQUE PEDESTAL CHEST
Lot 299 - ANTIQUE PEDESTAL CHEST
Lot 455 - OLD ELIZABETHAN OAK COURT CUPBOARD
"A 3ft. carved antique oak Pedestal chest of 6 drawers having allegorical figures and foliated scrols in relief, with locking stile."
Lot 297 - ELIZABETHAN BEDSTEAD.
Lot 297 - ELIZABETHAN BEDSTEAD.
(Used by Cromwell)
"A 7ft. MAGNIFICENT EARLY JACOBEAN OAK STATE BEDSTEAD, RICHLY CARVED WITH ESCUTCHEON OF PRETENCE DATED 1623 AND CREST DATED RENAISSANCE 1639, DECORATED WITH FINELY SCULPTED PANELS having the Renaissance Arches flanked by Caryatid Figures and baluster shaped supports 11" in diameter.

N.B. - This Historic Bedstead was slept in bu Oliver Cromwell and although bearing the date 1623, it is believed to be of the Elizabethan period.

Lot 301 - ARMOIRE
Lot 301 - ARMOIRE
"A 6ft. 6in. FINE OLD ROSEWOOD & EBONY ARMOIRE with massive panelled doors and drawer beautifully carved in masks and foliated scrolls. (Italian 17th Century)"

(Notice the fleur de lys "Brussels type" carpet pictured)


Lot 453 - ARMOIRE
"A 6ft. 6in. FINE ANTIQUE ARMOIRE of carved walnut and ebony, embellished with finely sculpted oak figures and cherubs and also shell and foliage decorations, massive and quaint steel lock key and chased steel escutcheons. Florentine, 17th century."

Lot 724 - LACQUER PAGODA, Lot 723 - LACQUER CABINET
Lot 724 - LACQUER PAGODA
A 2ft. 8in. unique old Japanese lacquer "PAGODA" CABINET, the interior fitted as a Shrine, fitted with 14 drawers and pair of doors (17th century)
Lot 723 - LACQUER CABINET
A 3ft. 6in. fine OLD gilt lac. Japan CABINET decorated with beautifully embossed birds and trees, and fitted with pair of doors having chased brass hinges and escutcheons and enclosing 10 drawers, on a carved stand of same with cabriole legs (an 18th century piece of exceptional quality).
Lot 721 - OLD ITALIAN EBONY CABINET.
Lot 721 - OLD ITALIAN EBONY CABINET.
A 5ft. 3in. VALUABLE EBONY CABINET with pair of doors and 2 drawers exquisitely carved and incised with representations of "Boarhunt," "Battle Pieces," Allegorical subjects," &c., having a varied marble slab (Italian 17th century)