With a total of almost £2million -more than doubling pre sale expectations - Duke’s auction at Wormington Grange was a spectacular success.

The huge total was boosted by a world record auction when the top price of £292,500 for the Algernon Newton painting - “ A Dorset landscape “ - originally bought for £420 by the owners great grandmother at the Royal Academy in 1928, came under the hammer.

The viewing attracted high society to the Gloucestershire stately home and according to Guy Schwinge of Duke’s, the high prices were testament to the impeccable taste of the owner John Evetts, one of the prime forces in the Landmark Trust.

The auction was almost a complete sell out with many lots selling for five or six times the pre sale estimate.

Head of sale, Cristian Beadman said: “Good old fashioned English furniture seems to back in fashion with a vengeance.

"The English country house look appears to be a very much in vogue. The interiors at Wormington are the antithesis of minimalism!”

Duke’s orchestrated an impressive event which attracted global attention and plaudits from seasoned art experts. Nicholas Coleridge, chairman of the Victoria and Albert Museum in London and former CEO of Conde Nast, said if he had won the Euromillions he would have bought everything , including the house!

A list of some of the lots that have recently sold at Duke's:

The Algernon Newton painting in the dining room - A Dorset landscape- set a new world record price at almost £300,000 ( estimate £60,000).

Plaster statue £19,500 est £3000

Chandelier £28,6000 est £15,000

Sofa by Howard. £10,400 est £5000

Mirror £5200 est £600

Dolphin chair. £15,6000 est £5000

Regency chairs in the stables £7800 est £800

Pair of box trees in terracotta pots fetched £3900

The star turn in the garden was a bronze statue of General Wolfe which went to a Canadian bidder on the telephone for a staggering £ 46,800 ( lot 1255 estimate £1000-£2000)

The auction was the most followed auction in recent years following extensive media coverage and positive feedback from A list clients on social media.