The Butler Hoard - A Lifetime's Research

19th June 2025

Antique dealers, Roderick and Valentine Butler’s fastidious approach to research saw them become established as leading authorities in the field of antique metalwork. Roderick joined his family’s antiques business based at Marwood House in Honiton in 1957, meeting his wife and business partner Valentine when she joined the firm after training as a cabinet maker at the London College of Furniture.

Their collection of early candlesticks, mortars, cauldrons, skillets and other domestic metalwares formed over seven decades showcase the finest examples with items invariably carrying identifiable maker’s marks or distinctive design features in the best, unrestored condition. Once purchased, work began in earnest for the Butlers who set about tracing when, where and how each object was made.

The Butlers’ fresh approach to research has widely been considered ground-breaking. They scoured trade directories to track down makers, undertook chemical analysis to help establish the age and origin of each piece and even went to the lengths of recreating production processes at home.

Oak specialist and Butler Hoard sale curator David Houlston said;

“The Butlers saw objects in their collection as teaching aids. Studying them helped establish stylistic development as well as developments in construction. While chemical analysis helps pinpoint an item, the Butlers were also able to work out 16^th century techniques. Knowing how something is made helps hugely in dating it.”

Roderick became a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and a member of the Antique Metalwork Society and, as well as various museum consultancies, staged several notable exhibitions at Marwood House. The Butlers have been generous in sharing their knowledge built over decades with curators, archaeologists and professionals from the National Trust, The Antique Metalware society and West Dean College.

With objects dating from the 14th century, The Butler Hoard showcases over 300 rare and historic pieces. Highlights include Lot 53, an exceptionally rare pair of large and fine English 'chalice and paten' brass candlesticks, dating from c. 1550 that carry a pre-sale estimate of £30,000-£50,000 (before fees). Lot 47 A rare bronze English candlestick that is part of a small group recognised as the earliest stable form of copper-alloy candlesticks manufactured in England in the late 14th and 15th century with an estimate of  £4,000-£6,000 and Lot 16, the Carnforth Posnet, an exceptional English leaded bronze cooking vessel dating from 1200-1300 with a pre-sale estimate of £4,000-£6,000.

Furniture specialist Mark Yuan-Richards said:

“This collection celebrates the Butlers’ decades-long dedication to preserving the best of Britain’s metalworking heritage and demonstrates their exceptional knowledge and devotion to quality and history.”

The Butler Hoard sale is on 1^st July, with viewing from Friday 27^th June and takes place alongside A Connoisseur’s Eye: The personal collection of the late Michael and Margaret Susands on 2^nd July and Furniture, Works of Art and Clocks on 3^rd July.