Downton Abbey auction: Feel the spirit of the characters

After 15 years of loves and losses, births and deaths, scandals and world events, the doors of Downton Abbey will close with a final film, The Grand Finale, in September but that’s not before Bonhams’ farewell exhibition and auction of props, costumes. Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK Group Director for House Sales and Private & Iconic Collections tells Private Client Director Julie Webb how he ‘felt the spirit of the characters’

“On the morning before our Downton Abbey auction opened, I walked into Bonhams’ showroom before anyone else had arrived and I was stopped in my tracks by the Dowager Countess’s costume, that was worn by Dame Maggie Smith, so beautifully displayed on a mannequin complete with her handbag in one hand, cane in the other.

I really felt the spirit of the characters through the incredible costumes on display so this show is a wonderful opportunity to see Downton Abbey memorabilia before the lots go off for a new life.

The auction takes place at noon on September 16 but from now (August 18) until the sale members of the public can come along to view the lots. It's completely free and everyone is welcome to get behind the scenes of this magical show that has become such an important part of so many people’s lives.

Downton Abbey crosses all generations. It's a show that I watch with my parents and I watch with my children. The Crawley family have become cemented in British popular culture and although we've only known these characters for 15 years, it feels like they've been embedded in British society, that they have been around for generations.

A salute to Dame Maggie Smith

The sad passing of Dame Maggie Smith (Violet Crawley) had an impact on me and in the way I treated items linked to her and I am sure they will particularly resonate with people who loved her character and are interested in the auction.

The Dowager Countess’s ebonised walking cane (estimate £500 to £800) is going to be incredibly popular. It's something that can fit into anyone’s life very easily, and it's an amazing piece of popular culture. That's modern history at its best.

Her hand-sewn and exquisitely embroidered light pink day dress and dark grey day dress worn during Season Six are both estimated at £1,500 to £2,000.

In fact, all of the costumes are so well made, especially the vintage evening gowns with all the heavy beading and embroidery. They are absolutely breathtaking.

Regarding the costumes, the two highest estimates (£3,000 to £5,000) are for Michelle Dockery’s (Lady Mary) wedding prop costume and wedding bouquet from Season Three and Jessica Brown Findlay’s (Lady Sybil) Harem pant costume from Season One.

Estimates of £800 to £1,200 have been put against Lily James’ (Lady Rose) red 'Coming Out' ball dress and Laura Carmichael’s (Lady Edith) stunning peach halterneck dress, both from Season Four.

A stunning silver sequin drop-waist evening dress worn Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary) from Season Six is estimated at £1,000 to £1,500.

Specially commissioned

Several props were specially commissioned for the set including the Downton Abbey bell wall which is a very special lot (estimate: £5,000 to £7,000).

It has been wonderful seeing people walk through the sale room to suddenly come ‘face-to-face’ with the bell wall. It is a huge wall of 20 bells each labelled with the name of room. The bells are beautifully cast, even the springs are made just as they would have been in the late 19th century. It was built under the direction of Donal Woods, who was in charge of decorating the set and it gives a real sense of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into a drama like Downton Abbey.

The dinner gong, too, will appeal to a lot of people's imaginations because that's something I'm sure the buyer will incorporate into their lives. I can imagine grandchildren banging the dinner gong for Sunday lunch, and everyone having a great laugh at the fact that this gong was from Downton Abbey.

Provenance – that’s up to the buyer

Some estimates start quite low because you can't actually estimate provenance. There is an uplift with an auction like this but the provenance is decided on the day of the sale. That’s up to the buyer.

We can estimate items based on comparables, but when it comes to the additional value that bidders will place because of Downton Abbey’s popularity, it's very difficult – so we don't. We leave it up to the bidders to decide.

I would expect that some items will do considerably better than the estimate, especially as it’s really wonderful timing with The Grand Finale film coming out in September.

Presented with sensitivity

We have presented everything with sensitivity and care to do the absolute best for the vendor. And in an extraordinary way, we at Bonhams, have treated the Grantham's – this imaginary family created by Julian Fellowes – as our vendors and we wanted to do the best by them.

The sale is actually on behalf of Carnival Films, the producers, and proceeds, I am happy to say, will go to Together for Short Lives, the UK’s leading charity for children with life-limiting conditions and their families across the UK.

Proud to be a chosen partner

We are Carnival Films’ chosen partner as they needed to empty warehouses and offices of these lovely props. They have put their trust in us.

My specialty is Decorative Arts so I went along to where the items are kept to catalogue everything. Items going into the auction were then transported to Bonhams to be photographed in our studios, catalogued with footnotes such as attributing items to the right series and the right episodes.

It's a been a special production for Bonhams, too. It was very important we supply a condition report of everything so we’ve enjoyed being able to check props.

I am pleased to say the clapper board used in the production of Downton Abbey: A New Era (estimate £1,000 to £1,500) has been tested and of, course, the Dowager Countess’s walking cane, I can confirm is in fully working order!

The Grantham Family Car

We are also particularly excited to include The Grantham Family Car. The 1925 Sunbeam 20/60hp Saloon, Registration number HA 9165, was seen from Seasons Two to Five and in all three films.

It’s a top-of-the range model and one of an estimated 45 surviving examples.
Car enthusiasts will be interested to know it is unrestored apart from a repaint and the only notified modification from factory specification is the concealed flashing indicators.

A set of six period-correct artillery wheels shod with new tyres and tubes is included in the sale.

The car, estimated at £24,000 was rented to Carnival for and cast members were often in the driving seat. trying to drive. It was a much-loved addition to the series and is in generally fine running condition and offered with a UK V5C registration Certificate.”

Downton Abbey: The Auction
New Bond Street, London and bonhams.com
August 18 – September 16, 2025
Visit bonhams.com

The Grand Finale film is released in UK cinemas on September 12.

Insurance advice

If you’re thinking of buying from an auction or already have a collection of interesting film/TV/theatre costumes or props remember the importance of regular valuations. You should review your collection at least every three to five years but always keep an eye on the market. It’s also important to decide upon the basis of valuation, most times it should be for retail replacement, but you may be able insure at auction value. If this is the case do bear in mind that what you agree is what you will get back. Ensure the items are photographed, kept in good condition and your documentation is kept safely which will help in the event of a claim.

We are frequently asked to organise cover for collections, both large and small. To speak to our specialist team, call 020 8256 4901 or email privateclients@howdeninsurance.co.uk