THE ROGER WARNER COLLECTION
From Burford, Oxfordshire
20 & 21 January 2008, South Kensington
South Kensington – Christie’s announce that they will offer the fascinating private
collection of Roger Warner at South Kensington on 20 and 21 January 2009. One of the
most renowned and admired British antique dealers of the 20th century, Roger Warner
ran his legendary shop in Burford, Oxfordshire for 50 years between 1936 and 1986, and
during this time attracted an impressive list of visitors and customers including Queen
Mary, Princess Margaret, Walt Disney, Peter Ustinov, John Fowler, Bruce Chatwin,
Christopher Gibbs and the Mitford sisters. In the 1960s and 1970s, he regularly appeared
as an expert with Arthur Negus on the BBC’s Going for a Song, the forerunner of The
Antiques Roadshow. The auction will offer approximately 700 lots from the private
collection of Roger Warner, passionately assembled throughout his lifetime, and is
expected to realise in excess of £800,000.
Roger Warner built a reputation for championing regional and vernacular arts, especially
early oak furniture, treen, medieval metalware, Delft pottery, pictures and textiles. He
was responsible for ensuring that an impressive number of rare survivals were placed in
institutional stewardship at The Victoria and Albert Museum, Temple Newsam House in
Leeds and The Ashmolean Museum in Oxford.
Roger enjoyed living with his most treasured purchases and was fascinated with the rare
and unusual. He kept his favourite discoveries at his home in Burford and delighted in
placing a simple domestic candlestick next to the grandest of Elizabethen portraits. He
enthusiastically attended Country House sales and fostered an appreciation of the unique,
the humble and the naïve, always keeping a meticulous record of the provenance of his
purchases.
Andrew Waters, Director of the Private collection and Country House sale
department, Christie’s: “Christie’s is honoured to have been asked to oversee the auction of Roger
Warner’s private collection. Roger’s discernment gave him a legendary reputation and a lasting
importance. This auction will open the doors to an astounding treasure trove of fascinating pictures
furniture and works of art - the very personal and private collection of a modest but remarkable man.”
Highlights of the auction include William Wordsworth’s desk chair from Rydal Mount, a
Dolls House decorated by Charlotte Brontë, a remarkable botanical still life collected by
Lawrence Johnston at Hidcote Manor, a Royal Tudor coat of arms from Gillingham
Castle, rare Lambeth Delft chargers and Reniassance gold-ground portraits of saints.
Further details will be announced at a later date.
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Images available on request
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About Christie’s
Christie’s is the world's leading art business with global art sales in 2007 that totaled £3.1
billion/$6.3 billion. This marks the highest total in company and in art auction history. For the
first half of 2008, art sales totaled £1.8 billion / $3.5 billion. Christie’s is a name and place that
speaks of extraordinary art, unparalleled service and expertise, as well as international glamour.
Founded in 1766 by James Christie, Christie's conducted the greatest auctions of the 18th, 19th
and 20th centuries, and today remains a popular showcase for the unique and the beautiful.
Christie’s offers over 600 sales annually in over 80 categories, including all areas of fine and
decorative arts, jewellery, photographs, collectibles, wine, and more. Prices range from $200 to
over $80 million. Christie’s has 85 offices in 43 countries and 14 salerooms around the world
including in London, New York, Los Angeles, Paris, Geneva, Milan, Amsterdam, Tel Aviv,
Dubai, Hong Kong and Zurich. Most recently, Christie’s has led the market with expanded
initiatives in emerging and new markets such as Russia, China, India and the United Arab
Emirates, with successful sales and exhibitions in Beijing, Mumbai and Dubai.
*Estimates do not include buyer's premium

Christies. London