Lady Pidgeon started selling antiques in the 1960s from the back of her Morris Minor and went on to build a successful business with an international clientele. She used Great Brampton as the country house setting for her classic English and French furnishings.
There will be a broad price range at the auction from £100-80,000 with many lots offered without reserve. Highlights include an ormolu-mounted Japanese lacquer commode by François Linke guided at £60,000-80,000 and a portrait of The Marchioness of Donegal estimated at £40,000-60,000.
This was painted by Francis Coates in 1760, but a new more fashionable hairstyle was added 16 years later by Thomas Gainsborough at the sitter's request.
The sale will also include two of the fleet of chauffeur-driven cars that Lady Pidgeon used to transport her clients from the station: a 1988 Rolls Royce Silver Spur saloon and a 1997 Bentley sports saloon.
