London Collections: Ardbraccan House

Why It Matters

The sale demonstrates how provenance‑laden estate pieces can command premium prices, influencing trends in luxury collectibles and reinforcing Christie's role as a conduit between private heritage and the global market.

Key Takeaways

• Serena Williams Ellers showcases Irish estate collection at Christie's spring sale.
• Ferneley horse painting highlights Artramon’s historic stud‑farm heritage.
• Mid‑18th‑century George II furniture exemplifies flamboyant Irish fine craftsmanship.
• Chinese hand‑painted wallpaper carries provenance from Hubert de Givenchy.
• Auctioning personal treasures underscores emotional ties and market demand.

Summary

Christie's spring collection sale opened with a rare glimpse into the personal holdings of Serena Williams Ellers, the Irish collector who has curated a distinctive assemblage from her family estate, Artramon House. The showcase, staged in the gallery’s historic rooms, blends fine art, decorative objects, and period furniture, underscoring the estate’s equestrian roots and cosmopolitan taste.

Among the highlights, a Ferneley horse portrait captures the vigor of Artramon’s stud‑farm legacy, while a mid‑18th‑century George II sideboard illustrates the flamboyant, free‑spirited character of Irish furniture. Equally striking is an early‑19th‑century Chinese hand‑painted wallpaper panel, its vivid birds and flora preserved in near‑original condition, and its provenance traced from fashion icon Hubert de Givenchy to the Ellers family.

Ellers remarked on the emotional weight of parting with cherished pieces, noting, “It’s a mix of nostalgia and excitement to see what I’ve loved over the years go to auction.” The auction house confirmed the panel’s prior sale at Christie's, adding a layered ownership narrative that enhances its market appeal.

The collection’s debut signals robust demand for provenance‑rich, cross‑cultural objects and illustrates how private estates can mobilize high‑value assets in the secondary market, offering collectors and investors a curated entry point into historically significant décor.

Original Description

Collected, lived with and now revealed.

Join celebrated interior designer Serena Williams‑Ellis as she guides us through highlights from the London Collections exhibition — now open to all.

Featuring furniture and decorative objects from Ardbraccan House, Ireland, Serena’s home for over a decade, alongside works from a Sicilian palazzo, the sale spans centuries of exceptional craftsmanship and refined interiors.

Experience remarkable provenance and enduring artistry in person 9–15 May

🔗 Learn more via link in bio

🗓️ Collections: Including Ardbraccan House, Ireland and a Sicilian Palazzo | 1–15 April | London