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#JamesI #OakCradle #Grotesques #1615 #BrockhallHall #MellorsAndKirk #Antiques #FineArt #AuctionFind #FurnitureCarving #17thCentury #CarvedDate #ThorntonFamily #RareAntiques #AntiqueAuction
A James I oak cradle carved circa 1615 and inscribed “FF 1615” was sold at auction by Mellors & Kirk in Nottingham (Nov 4–5, 2024) as lot 944 for £500 hammer, within its £300–500 estimate. Descended from the Thornton family of Brockhall Hall, the cradle features grotesques and stylised foliage in S-scroll borders. Though originally un-restored, it bears a later zinc liner and minor damage from woodworm, a shrinkage crack, and dog-chewed rockers and knobs. Carving dates into furniture were fashionable from the late 16th century until c. 1730; an authentic inscription like this provides a fixed reference point and enhances historical value.
Brockhall Hall, an early 17th-century stone house probably built by Edward Eyton between 1607 and 1625, was later remodeled in the Gothic style by Thomas Reeve Thornton around 1800. The Thorntons laid out formal gardens in the 1720s–1730s and cleared village houses for parkland before selling the estate in 1969; the Grade II* listed building is now divided into flats.
Separately, Mark Littler, editor-in-chief of Antique Collecting since 2026, brings nearly a decade of auction experience—including roles as general valuer and silver/whisky specialist at Tennants in North Yorkshire. He founded Mark Littler Ltd, advising on art, antiques, and rare whisky; is a regular Forbes contributor; and led the turnaround of The Whiskey Wash following its 2023 acquisition. His writing and media commentary draw on hands-on experience valuing objects and navigating the auction market.
