THE entire contents of Luddington Manor, a Grade II listed property near Stratford on Avon, will go under the hammer at auction.

According to Derbyshire’s Hansons Auctioneers, which is handling the sale, people have a rare opportunity to buy hundreds of items, all carefully chosen to enhance a period home.

English and European furniture, paintings, ceramics, silver, glassware and books, as well as a multitude of eclectic items, are among the lots once housed at a property with Shakespearian connections.

Steven Bruce, Hansons’ representative in Warwickshire and the man overseeing the sale, said: “The house was once occupied by relatives of Anne Hathaway, the wife of playwright William Shakespeare.

“This is an exceptional opportunity to own items of pedigree from a British country house, which I am proud to say I know well. It is a property awash with history that has inspired this stunning collection to be amassed over many years.

“Luddington is mentioned in the Domesday Book and the village is reputed to be the meeting place of Anne Hathaway and William Shakespeare. The manor house dates back to the late 16th/early 17th century.”

Lots being offered for sale include a selection of 18th and 19th furniture and numerous items of French furniture and pine.

There are quirky items too, such as an elegant tantalus to serve drinks such as sherry or liqueur, estimated at £300 to £500.

Paintings include a watercolour, dated 1945, of the Guild Hall, Henley-in-Arden, By E A Chadwick, which has an estimate of £200 to £300, and an 18th century portrait of Charles I, estimated £1,000 to £1,500.

There is also an unusually large and rare piece of Scottish Wemyss Tyg pottery, which has an estimate of £1,500 to £2,000.

Wemyss Ware pottery was first produced in 1882 by Czech decorator Karel Nekola and Fife pottery-owner Robert Heron.

It took its name from the Wemyss family, titled incumbents of Wemyss Castle on the east coast of Fife, who were patrons of Nekola and Heron's ceramic creations.

Other star lots include a late 18th or early 19th century elm and oak farmhouse table, which has an estimate of £1,000 to £1,500, and a set of eight elm and Windsor elbow chairs, estimated at £1,000 to £1,250.

Mr Bruce added: “Luddington Manor was sold before Christmas by its owners, who have lived there for 27 years. They have decided to move to a smaller property so, unusually, 90 per cent of the contents are being offered at Hansons’ January Antiques and Collectors’ auction.

“As you can imagine, it was a huge task to clear the residence but we were privileged to do so.”

The contents of Luddington Manor will be sold during Hansons’ Antiques and Collectors’ Auction, which runs from January 18 to 20 and on January 22 to 23.

The furniture will be sold on Saturday, January 20 and the paintings on Monday, January 22.

To find our more, call Steven Bruce on 07778 595952 or email service@hansonsauctioneers.co.uk.