UK NEWS

FOR SALE: MANOR FULL OF ANTIQUES

CUSTOMERS: Opera star Pavarotti and screen legend Ava Gardner

Wednesday August 27,2008

By Nick Fagge

A WOMAN who turned her country mansion into a showroom for her antiques business is selling it all for £5million, it emerged yesterday.

Lady Pamela Pidgeon made her 10-bedroom Regency manor house Britain’s only “antiques mansion” and counted opera star Pavarotti and screen legend Ava Gardner among clients.

She installed a helipad in the grounds and bought a fleet of chauffeur-driven Rolls-Royces to ferry the rich and famous from Heathrow to her home.

But now ill health has forced her to retire at the age of 79 and sell Great Brampton House in Madley, Herefordshire, and its entire collection.

More than 700 lots will go under the hammer for between £100 and £80,000 per piece, while the mansion itself is expected to fetch at least £2million.

The highlight of the sale is a painting of the Marchioness of Donegal, painted by Francis Coates and retouched later by Thomas Gainsborough, expected to fetch up to £60,000.

ady Pidgeon had a very strong eye for classic English furniture and French opulence

The sale on October 1 also includes a 1988 rare Rolls-Royce Silver Spur Saloon and a 1997 Bentley Turbo RT Sports Saloon.

Auctioneer Bonhams said Lady Pidgeon was a businesswoman who recognised the importance of “creating the vision of English grandeur that her clients aspired to”.

Director Harvey Cammell said: “Lady Pidgeon had a very strong eye for classic English furniture and French opulence and there will be some exceptional pieces in the sale.”

Somerset-born, the former Harrods fashion model built her empire from humble beginnings.

She developed an interest in antiques when she followed her first husband, Major Francis Howell, to Malaysia.
Her mother sent her magazines which ignited a love of traditional furniture and priceless artefacts.

When the couple returned, she sold antiques from the boot of her Morris Minor before buying the 18th-century house.

She converted it into an antiques shop and news of the “antiques mansion” spread.

As well as the late tenor Luciano Pavarotti and actress Ava Gardner, clients included former Tory minister Lord Heseltine and Take That singer Gary Barlow.

Following her husband’s death she married businessman Sir John Pidgeon and has now retired with him to Australia.