Mitchells is acting in the sale of part of the contents of historic Haile Hall near Egremont, the former home of Lady Mary Ponsonby, who died in 2003, aged 101.

The Hall itself is a house of great antiquity and has been in the ownership of the Ponsonby family since 1290.

The items will be sold during Mitchells next two-day Antiques and Fine Art Sale on Thursday 5th and Friday 6th December.

Of particular historic interest is an eighteenth century Spanish studded leather coffer (image attached) which is believed to have been acquired by Major General Sir Frederick Cavendish Ponsonby when fighting against Napolean Bonaparte during the Peninsular War in Spain and Portugal.

The coffer is estimated to make between £500-£800 but could make much more due to its unique provenance. Sir Frederick Ponsonby (1783 – 1837) was a famous military officer with a very distinguished career.

He led the 12th Light Dragoons at the Battle of Waterloo who, along with the 16th Light Dragoons, charged too far down the slope to support the withdrawal of the Union Brigade of heavy cavalry.

As a result, Ponsonby was wounded in both arms, knocked off his horse by another sabre cut and finally stabbed in the back by a French lancer and lay wounded in the field.

A French skirmisher robbed him as he lay helpless but luckily for Ponsonby, a Major de Laussat of the Imperial Guard Dragoons found him and treated him kindly, giving him some brandy and promising to send help. He was nursed back to health by his sister, Lady Caroline Lamb and went on to become Governor of Malta in 1826.

Other items from the Ponsonby estate include a large nineteenth century partners’ desk estimated at £2,000-£3,000, the former centrepiece of the library at Haile Hall and a very large hunting tapestry with a fascinating provenance, also estimated to make between £2,000-£3,000.

The tapestry is believed to be a late 16th century English copy of a Brussells' tapestry owned by either Cardinal Wolseley or King Henry VIII, which was once hung at Hampton Court and which may still be there.

The family originally owned 12 tapestries emblematic of 12 months of hunting however the one for sale, which is for the month of May, is the only survivor.

Other items from Haile Hall include a Regency brass strung bracket clock and a fine pair of rosewood wall brackets amongst other contents.

An illustrated catalogue, including images and close-ups of all lots to be sold, can be viewed online at www.mitchellsantiques.co.uk.

Alternatively lots can be viewed in person at the saleroom from Sunday 1st December between 11am -3pm, Mon 2nd and Tuesday 3rd between 10am – 5pm, late night viewing from 10am – 7pm on Wednesday 4thh and throughout the sale.

Those unable to attend the sale in person can leave confidential bids in advance by commission or alternatively bid live by telephone or on-line during the sale.

For further information, contact Auctioneer Mark Wise on 01900 827800.