THE UK’s first specialist centre dedicated to the English country house, early oak furniture and related works of art opens its headquarters and galleries at Swinton Park, near Masham in North Yorkshire, with a summer exhibition and auction from June 19-24.

The Centre for Early Furniture and Art is committed to supplying items predominantly from the so-called oak periods – 16th to 19th Centuries and later revivals.

The establishment has the support of academics, historians and local and international collectors.

Louise Forster, founder and director, said: “England and oak have an exciting and important relationship and it is this core focus that provides the inspiration for the centre.

“Our experts have a shared drive to establish foundations for the appreciation of the English tradition of furniture making that began in the Middle Ages. This tradition used only organic material and produced items that often speak volumes about the lives and thoughts of the craftsman involved in their production.”

The opening at Swinton Park is in two stages. The first follows three years’ work and is complete. There will be regular auctions and offices to process sale entries and make valuations.

Stage two, due for completion next year, will see two more galleries added to enable continuous exhibitions and offering a potential boost to visitor numbers to the region.

The first sale takes place on Friday, June 24, after an opening reception in the castle on Sunday, June 19.

Noteworthy among the lots are a rare 17th Century child’s press cupboard and a George III bookcase/dressing chest attributed to Wright and Elwick after a design by Thomas Chippendale.

The sale will be conducted by auction experts Philip Duckworth and Richard Edwards.