By Terence Ryle
Beloved of TV antiques programmes and of bidders knowing the lots are absolutely fresh to market, there are few phrases to stir the blood at an auction as much as ‘from the attic’.
Of course, it helps considerably if the attics in question are the top floors of country mansions such as Sizergh Castle in Cumbria – where fashion specialist Kerry Taylor identified a £60,000, 400-year-old tunic (see facing page) – or Thorne Court in Suffolk, source of much excitement at Lacy Scott & Knight (20% buyer’s premium) on December 9.