HISTORY

The castle and the rise of the working class: a timeless look at Downton Abbey

The magic of memories

September 2025

The Downton Abbey auction ©Courtesy of Bonhams

The auction of Downton Abbey props and costumes is more than just a sale – it is a precious historical document of an era in which the boundaries between rich and poor seemed insurmountable. Rising from underprivileged circumstances was nearly impossible, a situation that bears frightening parallels to our present day. Even here at the editorial headquarters of Alethea Magazine in Düsseldorf, the gap between wealth and poverty is widening. While luxury brands erect magnificent palaces on the boulevards, the number of homeless people in the same neighbourhoods is increasing – a painful contrast.

The Downton Abbey Bell Wall. Estimate_ £5,000 - 7,000 ©Courtesy of Bonhams

The ever-turning wheel of fate

But back to Downton Abbey, where we became addicted in the very first episode – set on the day of the Titanic disaster. The wealthy Crawley family, often cold and unsympathetic, contrasts with the lovable, hard-working servants. Who do viewers identify with? With the salon society or the loyal servants? A glimmer of hope shines through when the chauffeur rises in status by marrying the youngest daughter – a romantic heart-throb! The story of the butler, whose life as a homosexual was inhumane at that time, is particularly touching. After an inner struggle, he finally finds happiness. The series weaves these destinies together with such diversity and suspense that you find yourself sometimes up, sometimes down.

‘You look so Downton Abbey Style’

The props, automobiles and costumes – true highlights – shaped an era, so that ‘You look so Downton Abbey Style’ became a catchphrase. The estimated prices, for example for certain items such as Lady Mary's wedding dress, leave us amazed. To be honest, we are saddened that this legacy is being auctioned off. We would have preferred a Downton Abbey museum, similar to the Harry Potter museum in London, where people could make pilgrimages and perhaps meet stars. But the series bosses decided otherwise. So the magic of the castle, the rise of the working class and the ever-turning wheel of fate remain firmly anchored in our memories.

The Downton Abbey auction ©Courtesy of Bonhams

The Downton Abbey auction ©Courtesy of Bonhams

Bonhams and the farewell to Downton Abbey

From 18 August to 16 September 2025, Bonhams is holding a comprehensive auction and exhibition of props, costumes and set pieces from Downton Abbey in London (New Bond Street) and simultaneously online at bonhams.com, with the exhibition open to the public free of charge. The series, which ran for six seasons from 2010 to 2015 and was supplemented by two feature films, is coming to an end with the third and final instalment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale in September 2025. Produced by Carnival Films, part of Universal International Studios, Julian Fellowes created this Golden Globe, BAFTA and Primetime Emmy Award-winning series, which reached over 120 million viewers worldwide and is considered one of the most successful British television productions.

The auction is for a good cause

Proceeds from the items donated by Carnival Films will be donated to Together for Short Lives, the UK's leading charity for families with life-threatening illnesses, which provides care and support to help families through difficult times. In Bonhams Magazine, Philippa Stockley describes the series as a profound portrait of an era that saw the shock of the sinking of the Titanic, the First World War with women's struggle for suffrage, the simplification of men's clothing (e.g. wristwatches instead of pocket watches at the front) and the transition to a post-war era with fewer servants, burgeoning workers' rights and technological innovations such as electricity, telephones, automobiles, aeroplanes, gramophones and sewing machines – all embraced by the Crawley family.

Auction highlights include: Michelle Dockery (as Lady Mary) – wedding costume and bouquet, season 3, episode 1 (£3,000–5,000); Jessica Brown Findlay (as Lady Sybil) – harem pants, season 1, episode 4 (£3,000–5,000). And, of course, the dresses worn by Cinderella aka Lily James, who played Lady Rose in Downton Abbey.

Her ball gown from season 4, episodes 9/10 (£800–1,200) will be auctioned. But absolutely everything is going under the hammer, such as a flap from Downton Abbey: A New Era (£1,000–1,500); – and the iconic bell wall (£5,000–7,000) – a very high bid is expected here.

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