Gorringe’s and the Bloomsbury Group

Forward-thinking auction house develops connections with iconic art collective

With a story stretching back to 1929, Gorringe’s has become an integral part of Lewes’ cultural fabric. The auction house is renowned for its expertise, community focus, and ability to blend traditional auctioneering with modern-day innovation. Situated in the heart of this historic East Sussex town, Gorringe’s offers a unique window into the region’s history and artistic heritage, while catering to the evolving tastes and trends of today’s collectors.

The links between Gorringe’s and items of important local provenance has been increasingly highlighted recently, not least because of the number of fine works connected to the celebrated Bloomsbury Group. This loose collective of artists, writers, and intellectuals emerged in the early 20th century, with Virginia Woolf, John Maynard Keynes, and E.M. Forster all being drawn into its orbit at some point.

John Holmes, Managing Director of Gorringe’s, tells me the Bloomsbury Group was part of a movement that shifted away from Victorian traditions and conventions. “As part of this, they played a part in introducing modernism to Britain. They blended art and life with projects like the Omega Workshops, dissolving boundaries between fine art and decorative art, promoting creativity in everyday life. There was an interdisciplinary influence with writers, artists, and thinkers cross-fertilising ideas, making the group a hub for modern thought in art, literature, and philosophy.”

Based primarily in the titular area of London, the Group slowly abandoned urban intensity in favour of the South Downs’ reflective landscape. Prominent members Vanessa Bell and Duncan Grant rented Charleston Farmhouse, the latter working at a local farm to honour his exemption from military service. It was here, just outside Lewes, that the pair began to create a vibrant centre for artistic and intellectual pursuits. 

Searle tells me the Bloomsbury Group had a profound impact on the area, with Charleston today being one of the most celebrated cultural institutions in the area. “They form part of a long-held reputation of Lewes as a centre of rebelliousness and quirkiness which stems from its long history of defiance and creativity. It was home to Thomas Paine, whose radical writings helped shape modern democracy, and it still celebrates a spirit of protest and independence through its famous Bonfire Night, where satire, politics, and remembrance of the town’s Protestant martyrs collide in fiery spectacle.” 

As the nearest market, Lewes was primarily a place where they’d shop. But the town’s deep historical roots, fiercely nonconformist spirit, and the incredible natural beauty surrounding it neatly dovetailed with the Bloomsbury values of individuality and introspection.

It’s no surprise that important works associated with the Group have come through the doors at Gorringe’s. An Art and Design Post-1880 sale in September included Flowers in a Jar by Duncan Grant and George Bergen. This rare collaboration hung for years on Grant’s studio door, commemorating the pair’s passionate love affair.

The artwork was purchased by the Charleston Trust, which was established to preserve the memory of this remarkable creative group. Bringing this painting back to Charleston is part of this charity’s wider effort to preserve the spaces where Grant, Bell, and their circle lived and worked. 

Holmes says it’s fantastic when an item connected to the Bloomsbury Group comes through the doors at Gorringe’s. Most auctioneers would be delighted to have something created by this collective, but to have it happen in Lewes adds another level of excitement. “Often, we can connect to the artist, the subjects, and the places the items were created. 

“Take Flowers in a Jar… It was painted at Charleston, where Bergen was visiting Grant. The two were lovers, and Grant hung the painting in the studio at Charleston until his death in 1978. The jar is on display in the studio at Charleston. Many local people will have visited Charleston and the studio, and I am sure they can all imagine that sunny day in the garden, when the painting was conceived.”

He tells me the auction house has a strong relationship with Charleston. “We are fortunate to be able to ask the team at Charleston questions about the history, authenticity and provenance of items we see, which is a huge benefit for sellers and buyers. When we’re trusted to sell an item connected to the Bloomsbury Group, it feels like selling the best that Sussex has to offer.” As such, Gorringe’s is increasingly being recognised for this expertise around the collective, against an increase in demand for their work.

The Group’s ethos, with all its vivid colours, intimacy, and individualism, is centred on the notion that art and life are inseparable. Their forward-thinking and search for greater knowledge made the Group an inarguable force in shaping the modern world. Since then, the art and antiquities scene has seen huge developments over the last century, with new markets emerging and the most curious of items becoming collectable. 

As humans, we’re drawn to certain objects, often because of their background or beauty. At times, our attachments can be almost magical. Whether an item is a landmark piece of art from a collective that changed the world, a unique item heading to a museum, or a curiosity sought by an amateur collector, Gorringe’s is there to usher them all into the next chapter of their story.

Gorringe’s saleroom is on North Street, Lewes BN7 2PE. For more information, visit: www.gorringes.co.uk