A fragment of bedcurtain reputed to have been embroidered by Mary, Queen of Scots has smashed its estimate at auction.
Phone and internet bidders battled to buy the framed crewelwork sample, which bore an inscription attributing it to the 16th century Scottish Queen. It soared to £3,200 at Hansons Auctioneers – more than five times its £400-£600 guide price.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons, said: “It’s an impressive result for a fascinating item linked to a royal figure whose life and times are woven into the very fabric of British history. Two phone bidders faced strong competition from the internet and the item was eventually sold to a bidder online.
“We hoped it would achieve £1,000 but it easily exceeded that. It’s just reward for an item that survived Storm George to make it to auction. We’re delighted for both buyer and seller.”
The embroidery was being stored in a property in the Scottish Highlands which suffered thousands of pounds worth of damage during Storm George in 2020. But, thanks to being carefully boxed up, it survived unscathed.
According to its inscription, the material was embroidered by ‘Queen Mary of Scotland while in prison’ in the 16th Century. However, the item may have been lost forever but for the eagle eyes of the seller, an antiques fan from Northamptonshire. She discovered it by chance at an auction house around five years ago.
She said: “I’ve always been fascinated by antiques. I was looking round a Scottish auction saleroom one day and found the framed piece of embroidery lying upside down on the floor. I lifted it up and couldn’t believe it when I read the inscription.”
The wording, which appears under the framed floral embroidery of a blue flower, reads: ‘From a bed curtain embroidered by Queen Mary of Scotland while in prison. Presented by the Countess of Elgin, a member of the Stuart family, to Mrs Salena C Lynch, nee Girdler, wife of James C Lynch and mother of Dr Henry C Lynch’. The frame includes a picture of Queen Mary and a summary of her life.
The seller bought the item for a relatively modest sum, she can’t recall exactly how much, and stored it away in a family property in Strathnacro. But when she and her husband went to visit their Scottish home in July, 2020, they had the shock of their lives.
“When we opened the doors, the floors were wet, ceilings had come down and there was black mould growing on the walls,” said the seller. “Storm George had caused thousands of pounds worth of damage. The porch roof and gables had been partly blown away.
“Luckily the fragment of material hadn’t been damaged. I’d packed it away in a box and the rain hadn’t got to it. It’s a relief the embroidery survived. I’ve always wanted to find out more about it so took it along to a free valuation event held by Hansons at Kelmarsh Hall in Northamptonshire.”
Mary, Queen of Scots (1542- 1587) was Queen of Scotland from December 14, 1542 until her forced abdication in 1567. She lived through tumultuous times in a royal battle for power and, after an unsuccessful attempt to regain the throne, fled southward seeking the protection of her first cousin once removed, Queen Elizabeth I of England. However, Elizabeth perceived Mary as a threat, confined her in various castles for nearly 19 years and ordered her to be beheaded in 1587.
The embroidery was sold on December 7 in Hansons’ Fine Art Auction. To find out more, or to arrange a free valuation, email Head of Fine Art Isabel Murtough: [email protected]. Entries are invited for Hansons’ 2022 Spring Fine Art Auction.
