The picadilly residence of the dukes of devonshire was designed by William Kent in 1733 as an austere brick Palladian mansion concealing opulent rooms that became a hub of social, cultural and political activity in London. It was for almost 200 years home to the noble Cavendish family, and when the house was razed in 1925, they removed priceless pictures and furnishings to Chatsworth in Derbyshire (see AD, December 1979, June 1985 and November 2007). They also had the foresight to salvage architectural elements, such as exuberant Kent-designed ornamentation-all of which have been rediscovered in attic rooms at Chatsworth. "The sale will provide a unique opportunity to acquire examples of the work of one of England's greatest architects," said Harry Dalmeny, deputy chairman of Sotheby's UK, which will auction these rare artifacts, "an opportunity that is unlikely ever to be repeated, as Kent's work is otherwise confined to major listed buildings."
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