Sir Donald Sinden Collection to be sold at Cheffins Fine Art Auction

Donald Sinden was particularly established in the West End and was a leading man in many British films made from the 1950s to 2012. He was well-known as a Shakespearean actor and also appeared in a series of TV series such as Two’s Company, Never the Twain, Judge John Deed and more.

There are nine lots in total including a set of twelve mahogany chairs which Donald Sinden was known to have had in the family home in Hampstead Garden Suburb, London and in Tenterden, Kent. The chairs have an estimate of £1,500 - £2,000. There is also a late Georgian mahogany longcase clock which was placed on the staircase at Tenterden and is being sold with an estimate of £500 - £700.  

Other items include theatrical ceramics, a large portrait from the Circle of Michael Dahl, a pair of marble vases and a series of Derby figures.

A spokesperson for the Sinden family comments: “Donald was a wonderful actor and a great raconteur.  He was also a trained carpenter so had a keen interest in furniture and beautiful objects.  His passion was for history, especially anything to do with the theatre or our family. At home, he told many stories and we were enraptured by his explanations of all the trinkets, paintings and objects around the house - all of which had their own histories. The whole family clearly remember Donald sitting at the carver dining chairs at Christmas or during long dinners and lunches where he told hysterical stories and kept guests amused and enthralled. He always sat at the same end of the table on the same chair and in later years he would have the occasional doze in this spot too. He always sat upright, he was not a sofa sitter and these chairs feature heavily in our family memories both in their homes in London and in Kent. It would be lovely to think that some of the pieces would go on to have another life with a new owner.” 

Jeremy Sparks, Consultant, Cheffins comments:“We are pleased to be selling various items on behalf of the family of the late Sir Donald Sinden. Sir Donald was a wonderful character who was a well-known figure and often to be seen in Tenterden, where there is a theatre named after him. Not only was he a fine actor in his own right but he was also very interested in theatrical history. One of the key lots of the collection is the fine set of chairs on which he would have no doubt sat and regaled his companions with wonderful anecdotes. We are sure that this wonderful provenance will help to find these pieces a good new home.”

The total estimate for all of the lots is between £3,070 and £4,600.

The Fine Art Sale takes place on 13th & 14th September at Clifton House, 1-2 Clifton Road, Cambridge CB1 7EA,  from 11am onwards.  Viewing Times are from Sunday 10th September 10am – 12pm; Monday 11th September 10am – 5pm; Tuesday 12th September 10am – 6pm.

For more information please email the Fine Art department or call 01223 213343.