The Derek Duggan Collection to auction on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 April 2026

Bellmans is delighted to bring the Derek Duggan Collection to auction on Monday 13 and Tuesday 14 April 2026.As a collector Derek was well known to Bellmans as a great client and friend.Derek’s collection has been left untouched in his large Regency Brighton apartment for the ten years since his death; the vastness of the collection and the eclectic array of objects clearly reflect the flair and panache of a seasoned and passionate collector, and represent his lifetime’s work. If ever there was an Aladdin’s den of the curious, the exotic, the bizarre and the beautiful, Derek’s Brighton apartment was it.The eldest of three sons, Derek was born in 1941 in Cork City but after completing his education he set sail for London where his remarkable life’s journey of travel and discovery took off.First employed by the Irish Tourism Board, he left to join BOAC, with whom he would remain throughout his long and distinguished career, and which provided him with the platform to travel the globe and develop his interest in different cultures, histories and peoples. His passion for the exotic and the unusual was cultivated by these travels and undoubtedly shaped his life and his collection.Stand out sculptural pieces evoke the spirit of the Antique and include the Farnese Hercules and Silenus holding the infant Dionysus, intermingled with those inspired by the Renaissance, such as the contrapposto form of St George Slaying the Dragon. Curiosity is piqued throughout - objects from every corner of the globe provide colour and interest, such as the Namji Fertility dolls (illustrated), whilst more obscure pieces attract an academic eye (single carved heads / check the one on a spike).Derek was an avid collector, too, of Staffordshire pottery figures. Notable amongst this collection is a large group of portrait figures dating from circa 1840 to the early 1900’s. Subjects include British and Foreign Royalty, figures from naval and military history, politicians and characters from the theatre. Also featured amongst the collection are many Staffordshire pottery animals including plentiful spaniels, zebras, sheep, a pair of large cockerels and a leopard. The collection totals over 300 individual pieces!Derek built this collection over his lifetime with his Australian partner, Richard, with whom he bought the apartment in Brighton as a bolt hold from their life in London. They soon doubled the apartment’s size buying the apartment next door and knocking through which allowed the collection to grow to the enormity we see today.Of keen interest to Brighton residents is the collection of prints, ceramics, curios and more representing different vistas of Brighton and different aspects of its history, including representations of the two piers, Volks electric railway and Brighton’s chain pier.Whether close to home or traversing the globe with his partner, Derek had a sharp eye for the exotic, the bizarre and culturally significant; if a curio was blessed with an unusual appeal it was of interest and collected.Together with his partner, Derek recorded a lifetime of travel and curiosity with passion, building a stunning collection encompassing glassware, ceramics from across continents, pictures, prints, curios, classical representation and local interest.Other items from the collection not included on these dates will be offered on 18 February as part of our Asian Ceramics & Works of Art Auction.

Contact Information:

Bellmans Fine Art Auctioneers

Newpound
Wisborough Green, West Sussex RH14 0AZ
United Kingdom

Anthony Grech-Cumbo
+44 1403 700858
https://www.bellmans.co.uk