Contents of Bute’s Ascog Old Manse go for over a quarter million

When the Ainslie Collection was sold earlier this week at Lyon and Turnbull in Edinburgh, it saw the contents of the Bute home of antique dealers Gilbert and Lillian Ainslie go under the hammer.

Interest was intense with telephone bids coming in from Europe and America and bidding was competitive. The auctioneers estimated that about 50 of the 250 present were dealers. The Ainslie’s chose not to be present to see their possessions go as part of their preparations to retire to Perth on the mainland.

They had evidently tried to retire once before – on moving to Bute. But the interests and habits of a lifetime don’t go away so easily and they soon found themselves edging back into business.

Although the Ainslie’s had decided and the auctioneers had advertised that no item would carry a reserve, when it came to it this policy deserted them.16 items were not sold because bidding had not reached their value. These included the two most expensive items: Bal Costume – a Demetre Chiparus art deco group of figures estimated at £30k-£50k; and a pair of huge Japanese cloisonne vases estimated at £25-k-£35k. The Ainslie’s now intend to keep these for their new home.

The sale total came to £275k including the 25% buyers’ premium.