Tennants

Tennants is a longstanding family-run auction house with a saleroom in Leyburn, North Yorkshire and offices in Harrogate and London. It also has representatives across the country.

The major expansion to its Leyburn premises in 2014 means that, in addition to its purpose-built salerooms, it also has catering, conference and events facilities.

Tennants’ sale calendar includes Fine Art Sales, Country House Sales, Modern Art and Interiors Sales, fortnightly Antiques and Interiors Sales, and other specialist sales in a range of collecting fields.


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Rare Christopher Wood drawing of Paris footbridge walks into North Yorkshire sale

04 November 2024

In 1920 the artist Christopher Wood (1901-30) came to Paris, having been invited by the French collector Alphonse Kahn.

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The Ravilious handkerchief not to be sniffed at

04 November 2024

A rare version of Eric Ravilious' Child’s Handkerchief print and a scarcely seen Doulton figure emerged in North Yorkshire

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Handsome silver fox with a Cunard connection emerges in North Yorkshire auction

28 October 2024

Silver works by Sir Bache Cunard, Bt (1851-1925), legendary huntsman and scion of the Cunard shipping family, are incredibly rare – he presumably made items only for his family and friends.

Child’s Handkerchief by Eric Ravilious

Rare version of ‘Child’s Handkerchief’ continues strong run of Ravilious prices

23 October 2024

Early in February 1941, Eric Ravilious (1903-42) wrote to EM O'Rourke Dickey at the Ministry of Information regarding a new commission. ‘I've just had a long visit from a Mr. Gerald Holtom who seems very much to want designs for textiles for some Cotton Board. It would make a change to do this for a bit, and he assures me the whole thing is urgent and necessary.’

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Board game joins the range of Mont Blanc merchandise

14 October 2024

As a reminder that merchandise is nothing new, take a look at this board game offered at North Yorkshire saleroom Tennants (24% buyer’s premium).

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Swinton estate sale brings a flavour of Le goût Rothschild to Yorkshire

30 September 2024

The Swinton Estate, which spans approximately 20,000 acres of North Yorkshire, has been in the Cunliffe-Lister family since the 1880s.

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Seals of the Duchy

30 September 2024

Of numismatic interest in the Swinton sale were two George VI silver seal matrices made for the County Palatine and the Duchy of Lancaster.

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ATG Letter: Duria Antiquior plate was reason for £6000 bid

30 September 2024

Dear Sir, I read with great interest Roland Arkell's account on page 41 of ATG 2660 of the geological books which sold for £6000 at Tennants on August 23.

Irish fruitwood penal cross

18th century Irish penal cross brings demand in North Yorkshire auction

24 September 2024

Penal crosses take their name from the series of laws the restricted the rights of Roman Catholics and other nonconformists.

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Groundbreaking and influential works uncover Yorkshire geology

16 September 2024

The most eagerly contested lot of the Books, Maps and Manuscripts Sale at Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) on August 23 was one comprising two volumes containing influential works on geology and palaeontology by John Phillips (1800-74) and William Buckland (1784-1856).

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More orphanage samplers in demand as hand-worked textiles prove sought-after

27 August 2024

Tennants’ Fashion, Costume and Textiles Sale held on August 16 provided many hammer highlights.

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Lock from Florence Nightingale encapsulates the diverse lots in a North Yorkshire auction

12 August 2024

One of the more unusual items on offer at Tennants’ (20% buyer’s premium) Summer Fine Sale was a lock of hair from the 19th century nursing pioneer Florence Nightingale (1820-1910). It was thought to have been cut in 1883 when she was 63 years old.

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Sir Alfred Munnings work trots back to rostrum 20 years later

12 August 2024

Oil sketch appears at auction two decades on but overall the artist’s premium works are in short supply

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Vendor chuffed as collection of British Railways photos pulls into Tennants

27 May 2024

'Large and comprehensive' was the apt description used by Tennants (24% buyer’s premium) for a collection of British Railways photographs and slides offered on April 3.

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Polyphon music box and cello in tune at auction

27 May 2024

“An impressively sized fine and rare” coin-operated upright 22in Polyphon Disk Musical Box-on-Discbin sold for £5500 in Tennants’ (24% buyer’s premium) Scientific & Musical Instruments Sale on May 15.

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Fantin-Latour roses rise to a regional high point

06 May 2024

Oil on canvas showing favoured subject of the artist takes top spot so far in UK sales outside London

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Cistern used for wine doubles up as racing trophy

22 April 2024

A substantial piece of Edwardian silver which has served both as a wine cistern and a racing trophy was the most expensive piece of silver in Tennants’ (24/20% buyer’s premium) dedicated auction of jewellery, watches and silver.

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Right time and place for Lowry

08 April 2024

A strong provenance is always desirable on the secondary market, but it is essential when it comes to selling works by LS Lowry (1887-1976) - arguably Britain’s most faked artist.

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Bravery of mine defusers recognised by George medals and crosses

01 April 2024

George Medals were awarded to military recipients for bravery not in the face of the enemy, so bomb or mine disposal is a classic reason.

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Mouseman wedding gift shows the attraction of early pieces

25 March 2024

Two sales of the classic furniture include items featuring direct family history

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