Derbyshire is renowned for its magnificent county mansions but not all of them have survived – a fact we were reminded of when this beautiful object was uncovered.
This hand-painted Derby porcelain armorial plate shows Barrow Hall in Derbyshire – a fact revealed by an inscription on the back. The elegant hall once stood in the village of Barrow upon Trent and, as the plate shows, boasted glorious gardens.
The plate, dated 1916, was discovered at a free valuation event at Hansons’ Banbury saleroom in Oxfordshire by Head of Curated Ceramics Dr Richard Halliday – and thanks to a Derby porcelain artist at least we know what this long-lost property looked like in its heyday.
Sadly, the centuries-old hall was burnt to the ground nearly 70 years ago, a priceless piece of Derbyshire’s heritage lost forever.
According to Barrow upon Trent Parish History Research Group’s website: “Barrow Hall was a very pleasing and elegant house in English baroque style, probably erected in c. 1717 and sensitively re-cased and altered internally in 1808-9.”
For decades it was home to the Beaumont family, who were related to the royal families of France, England and Scotland, albeit through illegitimate birth, according to historical research. John Beaumont first bought land in Barrow in 1551 but later disgraced himself due to embezzlement.
Members of the Beaumont family lived at the hall until the 1880s when it was sold to James Eadie. It later became home to Second World War refugees. A fire in 1956 destroyed the hall and housing now occupies the land.
The plate, estimate £200-£300, will be offered in Hansons’ September 14 Curated Ceramics Auction. Catalogue due live September 1 at www.hansonslive.co.uk
Free ceramics valuations
Dr Richard Halliday offers free ceramics and glass valuations, by appointment, at Hanson Holloway’s Ross saleroom in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 10am-noon. To book, please call 01295 817777 or email [email protected]
