Carefully curated over the last forty years, Sworders is pleased to present the selected contents of North Road House, Hertford.
28 August 2024
VIEW COLLECTION REQUEST A VALUATION CONTACT A SPECIALIST
Designed in 1827 by the prominent local architect Thomas Smith, for his own occupation, the house is distinctly Regency with its stucco façade to the front, but with nods to the neoclassical style throughout. After a period of disregard, the house was saved from conversion to flats by the vendor and put back to its former splendour in the early 1980s.
Growing up in a household of collectors, the vendor notes he was influenced from an early age by his father, but cites an exhibition at the Victorian and Albert Museum in the late 1970s on Biedermeier furniture as the greatest steer in developing his daring yet genius taste. North Road offers the perfect expression of this, with its boldly coloured walls and abundance of architectural detail complementing the effortless mix of English and Continental furnishings. Each piece confidently placed with purpose, but without fussiness.
The collection is broad and eccentric, spanning from furniture to porcelain, but throughout is underpinned by a discerning eye for good early 19th-century design. Among the highlights are three striking chandeliers which hung in the principal rooms, to include a Regency colza example. Beyond this, a Biedermeier secrétaire à abattant with architectural interior is particularly notable.
fineinteriors@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778
George Fejér (1912-1996) had a view on how to improve the design of more or less everything in the home, from the kitchen sink to the bedroom cupboard. Discover the story behind Fejér's impactful career, ahead of furniture designed by George appearing in our 28 January Design auction.
9 December 2024
English studio potter Charles Vyse has an exciting and vibrant selection of ceramic works on offer in Sworders 28 January Design sale. Delve into the history of the craftmanship behind these pieces and the career that led to such captivating creations.
4 December 2024
Hidden around the Stansted Mountfitchet site of Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers, we are lucky to have two beehives that have been busily working throughout the year. Jars of honey were offered in return for donations, which went towards to raising money for 'Young Lives vs Cancer', our charity of the year, and we’re hoping that more honey will be on offer in 2025. John Black delves into the apiary...
4 December 2024