A “Ruinous Sleeping Princess” is how I described it to Robert and Helen when they came to visit me, many years ago. I had collected them at the airport and on the journey back to my rented house, they had asked hundreds of questions about this sleeping princess. A visit ensued the following day with a picnic in hand. It was love at first sight with the ruined house, despite the uncleared fire damage from 50 years prior. They felt the magic and saw the potential through the tattered and worn surfaces. 

A large job lay ahead, and a united team needed to be forged. I brought a team from America to clean, strip and clear the site. Mary Lou was the English architect and having worked with Robert and Helen before, knew what the ultimate goal would be. The French team took great pride in the project; their many skilled hands put the “Sleeping Princess” together again. Robert packed his lorries of magical things and talented crew set off from England for the South of France. Months of hard work and very skilled hands helped make the dream come true. 

Carpets covered the floors and a big landscape painting was placed on the sitting room wall over a gorgeous Bessarabian carpet and inviting chairs. An enormous mirror was mounted behind a very comfy sofa covered in a floral print in the petit salon where we would watch movies on winter nights. A vast, prehistoric Irish Elk skull with its impressive rack of antlers was mounted above the entrance door in the main hall beside a long framed Mughal column wrap. Fossils, Roman glass, and a collection of exquisitely knitted African hats were just a few of the things you might stumble across on your way to bed.

The walled garden contained its own set of hidden treasures. Roman capitals and giant pots mixed easily with ivy covered sculptures. A 'chemin d’eau' was found and as irises were planted by Robert either side and tree peonies, quince trees and rambling roses found their place, it started to look like it too had always been there. The restored south facing terrace was awash with pots. A marvellous collection of French green glazed pots planted with oleander were used to screen the far end of the terrace. Deep in the Orangery with its passion vine covered walls, was a large 19th century plaster grouping that was deaccessioned from the MET’s collection in New York after years of storage.

All the multi layers of time and place came together. La Gonette was no longer asleep, it was awakened, a haven of comfort and creativity for Robert and his family, looking as if it had always been. Filled with life, understated elegance, secure and protective; saved for generations to come. The magical things from the house are here in this sale, in search of more joy and more memories, on their journey through time.

Take your virtual tour

Explore the beautiful rooms and gardens of La Gonette with the Dreweatts 360 Virtual Tour.

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Auction Details

Day 1: Wednesday 4 October 2023 | 10.30am BST | Warwick Square, London (Lots 1-399)
Day 2: Thursday 5 October 2023 | 10.30am BST | La Gonette, France (Lots 400-746)
Day 3: Friday 6 October 2023 | 10.30am BST | (Lots 747-918)

Auction:
The three-day auction will take place at Dreweatts Donnington Priory salerooms.

On View:
London (highlights): Dreweatts, 16-17 Pall Mall, St James's, London SW1Y 5LU
Friday 8 - Thursday 14 September 2023

Newbury (full sale): Dreweatts, Donnington Priory, Newbury, Berkshire RG14 2JE
Saturday 30 September - Tuesday 3 October 2023     

Further information:
For details on registration, viewing, bidding, payment and shipping, please see the Auction Information Page here. 

General enquiries: + 44 (0) 1635 553 553 | housesales@dreweatts.com
Press enquiries: smaylor@dreweatts.com 

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