Harrington Antiques

Harrington Antiques We have a passion for the decorative, the exceptional and the unusual.

An exceptional pair of late 19th century gilt terracotta wall brackets in the form of winged sirens. Originally commissi...
12/08/2026

An exceptional pair of late 19th century gilt terracotta wall brackets in the form of winged sirens. Originally commissioned for the important Elizabethan ‘High House’ of Campsea Ashe, Suffolk.

These brackets were sold from the living room of the house in the contents sale of 1949, catalogue lot number ‘1277’. The original auction catalogue is included. Each bracket is inscribed verso, ‘W. Lowther’. William Lowther (1821-1912) purchased High House in 1883, and it remained in the Lowther family for the following 66 years (for more information on William Lowther and High House, please see our website).

Each bracket depicts a fine Greek mythological winged siren. The use of terracotta as a material is likely little coincidence, with the application of gold leaf over fired terracotta being a known ancient Greek method in the creation of luxury reliefs and statues.

Provenance:

- Commissioned by William Lowther for High House, circa.1890;
- Purchased in house contents sale of 1949; and
- Acquired from direct descendant of original 1949 purchaser.

‘Tintern Abbey’ by Hopkins Horsley Hobday Horsley (British, 1807-1890). Titled and signed ‘Horsley’ verso. Exhibition la...
03/07/2026

‘Tintern Abbey’ by Hopkins Horsley Hobday Horsley (British, 1807-1890). Titled and signed ‘Horsley’ verso. Exhibition label verso, reading, ‘No. 15 Tintern Abbey 1851’.

H. H. H. Horsley specialised in atmospheric winter scenes, pastoral landscapes and continental views. He exhibited at the Royal Academy and the Royal Society of British Artists. This work bears a numbered label verso indicating it was exhibited, or certainly intended for exhibition. Whether an atmospheric, pastoral or continental scene, Horsley’s paintings usually incorporate a dog, this work does not disappoint.

Now available via the website.

A rare example of a carved wood penitential brotherhood relic, representing the ‘Skulls Of The Damned’, dated ‘1776’. Mo...
16/06/2026

A rare example of a carved wood penitential brotherhood relic, representing the ‘Skulls Of The Damned’, dated ‘1776’. Most likely originating in the Italian region which was characterised by a strong penitential culture of post-Tridentine Catholicism during the 18th century. The penitential brotherhood was, and remains, a lay Catholic association dedicated to spiritual devotion, acts of penance and charitable works.

Relics of this form are most frequently associated with the Black Pentitents who performed rituals of repentance and meditation on death, especially during Holy Week. Hung in oratories, funeral chapels, or carried processions, these heads were powerful visual instruments to remind the faithful of the brevity of life, the necessity of repentance, and the inevitability of the Last Judgment. In essence, momento mori.

This example consists of two realistically carved skulls back to back but without lower jaws, symbolising the depersonalisation of the human form in death.

A fascinating object. Now available via the website. 💀

1. A ‘Cary-Gould Type’ pocket microscope, London, c.1830. Engraved ‘Cary, London’ to the limb.This type of pocket micros...
14/06/2026

1. A ‘Cary-Gould Type’ pocket microscope, London, c.1830. Engraved ‘Cary, London’ to the limb.
This type of pocket microscope attained enormous popularity in the 1820-1850s. William Cary was a noted instrument maker and an apprentice of Jesse Ramsden. Charles Gould, who worked for Cary, designed this microscope specifically for the amateur naturalist to meet popular demand.

2. A delightful bronze of a cockatoo on a branch, circa. late 19th century. Crisply cast and of fantastic form.

3. A studded tan leather book trough of good proportions, c.1880. From Ballymacarron House, Country Down, Northern Ireland. Likely ‘estate made’.

4. ‘The Class And Orders Of The Linnaean System Of Botany’ by Richard Duppa, published by Longman, Hurst, Rees, Orme and Brown, London in 1816. First edition thus. Complete in three volumes. With 240 engraved plates, 237 of which were hand coloured.

5. ‘Rambles In Search Of Wild Flowers and How To Distinguish Them’ by Margaret Plues, published by George Bell & Sons, London in 1879. Third edition. 

An early 18th century portrait of a gentleman, possibly an actor, within a painted oval resting his hand on a skull upon...
13/06/2026

An early 18th century portrait of a gentleman, possibly an actor, within a painted oval resting his hand on a skull upon his lap, c.1720.

Now available via the website.

An exceptional Neo-Gothic carved oak three-tier hanging shelf of superb proportions, c.1880. The crocketed pierced galle...
11/06/2026

An exceptional Neo-Gothic carved oak three-tier hanging shelf of superb proportions, c.1880.

The crocketed pierced gallery sits above three rectangular shelves flanked by grotesque masks with gothic arched sides.

Now available via the website.

A late 19th century Scottish pine chest of ‘wee’ proportions. The chest has a central brass plaque reading, ‘William Hal...
10/06/2026

A late 19th century Scottish pine chest of ‘wee’ proportions. The chest has a central brass plaque reading, ‘William Hall’s Wee Chest 1893’.

A charming little thing. Now available via the website.

New arrivals…
09/06/2026

New arrivals…

Curios. 👁️
07/05/2026

Curios. 👁️

A 19th century bronze wax seal in the form of a monkey holding a ball in its right hand and poised as if about to throw ...
06/05/2026

A 19th century bronze wax seal in the form of a monkey holding a ball in its right hand and poised as if about to throw bowls, complete with original desk stand. Now available 🐵

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