One of the most enjoyable aspects of working with fine art and antiques is discovering the stories and connections that elevate objects beyond being merely a piece of household furnishing. Looking back over another busy year at Tennants, 2025 was marked by important and fascinating lots that link us with the past, with people and stories, and figures integral to our cultural history.
The two top lots from the picture department this year provided a fascinating contrast, both emerging from private family collections in North Yorkshire. A previously unrecorded early sketch by one of the most significant figures in British art history, John Constable, sold in March for £320,000 (all figures exclude buyer’s premium). Dedham Vale looking towards Langham, executed circa 1809-14, is an impressive and vigorous early plein-air sketch of the countryside surrounding Constable’s childhood home on the Suffolk/Essex border that represents the seismic changes Constable effected in the landscape of British art.
In contrast was a rare depiction of a boxing match by an unknown artist, which sold in November for £42,000. The subject matter was key in this charmingly painted naïve-style picture, which depicted the fight that took place between Carter and Oliver on 4th October 1816 at Gretna Green.
Across the specialist collectors’ sales, notable pieces of historical and cultural interest piqued the interest of buyers, such as a DCM Group of Four Medals awarded to Lance Sergeant Donald Charles Randall, who took part in Operation Chariot, one of the most pivotal operations in World War II and a remarkable example of bravery and audacity of Allied forces (sold for £22,000). Randall was shot during the operation and was one of the 215 soldiers to be captured.
In the summer Tennants was delighted to offer for sale what was thought to have been the largest private collection of Vivienne Westwood to be sold outside London in a single-owner sale. Westwood, the iconic British designer, broke the rules of fashion and had an extraordinary influence on British culture and design. Leading the sale was the two-piece Harlequin Mini-Crini from the Voyage to Cythera Collection, A/W 1989, inspired by figures from the Italian ‘Commedia Dell’Arte’ and the paintings of Jean-Antoine Watteau, which sold for £13,000. It is believed to have been a runway piece, never in production, and had been purchased from someone who worked in Westwood’s studio.
Throughout the year, the Jewellery department has continued to go from strength to strength, handling nearly 3,000 lots and achieving a total hammer price of £2m. The jewel of the year was a magnificent and exceptionally rare pink diamond necklace, signed and numbered by Cartier, which sold for £190,000. When the 8.62 carat diamond was first inspected, Tennants’ Jewellery Specialist Jessica Fall thought there could potentially be some colouration in the diamond, and following consultation with the Gemmological Institution of America (GIA) the gem was officially graded as very light pink with a clarity grading of VVS1 which is defined as ‘just below flawless: of high clarity’.
The Silver department has seen an outstanding year, too, selling an equal volume of lots for a total hammer price of £1.5m. November alone yielded a hammer total of £550,000 and a 97% sold rate, aided by a collection of ecclesiastical gold and silver. Two of the most eagerly sought-after lots were good early George II Irish Provincial Silver Chalices by Richard Joyes of Galway, dated 1730 and 1731, which were presented to religious houses by Edmond Bourk, Parish Priest of Killereran and sold for £27,000 and £22,000. Like the Silver department, the Coins and Banknotes department has benefitted from wider market forces elevating the prices of silver and gold, notably in two exceptional single-owner sales of gold coins. However, continued demand by serious coin collectors has contributed to an extraordinary 99% selling rate for the department and a total hammer price of £1.3m.
The year also saw the continued success of educational and cultural events hosted in The Garden Rooms at Tennants, with an exciting programme including a preview and fashion show ahead of the Vivienne Westwood Sale, a Mouseman dinner and talk, an exhibition celebrating the Art Deco centenary and a series of talks by external lecturers on subjects from the Staithes School of Art to Royal Jewellery.
Going into 2026, the year will get off to a flying start with three single-owner sales alongside the regular programme of auctions – a Single Owner Sale of Gold Coins, The Neville Blakey Lock Collection and the Corby Castle sale. The latter alone will offer over 1,100 lots across a three-day sale from one of Cumbria’s most historically important mansion houses.
Jane Tennant, Director, says:
“Looking ahead to 2026, we will continue to build relationships and partnerships that go beyond the standard auction transaction. Tennants’ is more than just an auction house; our unique facilities incorporate galleries that are open to the public daily, and event spaces to hold lectures and workshops alongside auction viewings. We are delighted that over 100,000 visitors come to Tennants each year and thrive on having the room packed with bidders on sale days.
As a family business, we are proud to foster a personal approach, whilst adapting to and engaging with new technologies, helping to streamline processes and enhance the client experience both online and in person. We will continue to offer a diverse auction schedule, handling lots across the spectrum, which is invaluable to families and professional service providers when dispersing whole house contents.”
2025 at Tennants
- 84 Auctions
- Five Single-Owner Auctions
- 35,163 Lots
- Total hammer price of £13.5m
- Average selling rate of 90%.
