ADVERTISEMENT Calling all Downton Abbey devotees – now’s your chance to own a piece of the beloved period drama.
From the bell wall in the servants’ hall to the Grantham family’s 1925 Sunbeam Saloon, dozens of props, costumes and set pieces from the show are going up for auction, with proceeds supporting the children’s charity Together for Short Lives.
One of the standout items is a pale apricot chiffon wedding dress worn by Michelle Dockery as Lady Mary Crawley in her on-screen marriage to Matthew (Dan Stevens). The outfit, complete with ivory satin Mary Jane shoes, a paste tiara, veil and bouquet of prop lilies, is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000 (€3,500-€5,800).
Fans of the Dowager Countess will be thrilled to learn that a dress worn by the late Dame Maggie Smith, who portrayed Violet Crawley, is also on the block.
The show’s instantly recognisable 1925 Sunbeam Saloon – first seen in season two and appearing throughout seasons three to five and all three films – is estimated to sell for between £25,000 and £35,000 (€29,000-€40,500). According to Bonhams auction house, it is one of just 45 surviving examples of the vehicle.
Other lots include lady’s maid and footman uniforms, Mr Carson’s silver pocket watch, and a large refectory table used in the servants’ hall. A script from the very first episode, signed by cast members including Dame Maggie, Hugh Bonneville and Samantha Bond, is expected to sell for £600 to £800 (€700-€900).
The items are on display in a free exhibition at Bonhams on London’s New Bond Street, London until 16 September, with online bidding also open until then.
Executive producer Gareth Neame said the auction was a fitting way to honour the series’ legacy while supporting Together for Short Lives, which provides support for children living with life-limiting conditions and the families who care for them.
“The world of Downton Abbey is beloved around the globe for its rich, timeless storytelling,” he said. “These iconic set items hold a special place in that history, and we are proud to see them help support the vital work of Together for Short Lives.”
See the full selection of items up for auction here.
