House filled with rare 17th Cen furniture discovered in UK

The house was so filled with period furniture that the staff from Charles Hanson auctioneers felt as if they had stepped back in time.

The black and white timbered property near Lichfield, Staffordshire contained furnishings including four poster beds, tapestries, longcase clocks and bible boxes.

The remarkable collection had been collected over many years by the husband and wife, both deceased, who owned the house, the 'Daily Mail' reported.

"They put together a collection of the finest 17th century oak furniture and furnishings I have seen in my career to date," Hanson said.

"The collection felt as though one was wandering around a home in care of the National Trust or English Heritage," Hanson added.

"The quantity and quality of such market fresh furniture will create international interest and will also appeal to collectors who wish to acquire a piece of history from a romantic and turbulent period," Hanson said.

Because of the abundance of oak coffers, oak press cupboards and 14 longcase clocks from the late 17th century, Hanson added it felt like being returned to a period when Charles I was King of England.

Approximately 180 lots will be offered to buyers at auction on January 12.

A four poster bed in walnut, which dates to circa 1620, is estimated to sell for 1,000 pounds to 1,500 pounds.

A fine oak blanket chest dating to around 1580 is expected to fetch between 300 pounds and 500 pounds, while a fine oak and fruitwood dining table crafted in 1630 may sell for up to 1,000 pounds.

A painting found on the landing of the property depicting two young gentlemen, the sons of the Earl of Sussex, which was painted in 1670, is expected to fetch 5,000 pounds.

"The sale will start Hansons' year with a celebration of a period of antiques which we rarely see in private homes now. The beautifully crafted pieces have a degree of patination which coincides with their 400 year history," Hansons' junior valuer Elizabeth Bailey said.

"This is the type of furniture of which so much was lost in the Great Fire of London in 1666," Bailey said.

The items will be auctioned by Hansons at their auction centre in Heage Lane, Etwall in Derbyshire.