Bonhams launches the Downton Abbey Auction, offering fans the chance to own original costumes and props from the beloved British period drama.
Downton Abbey, the global television success that first aired in 2010, is drawing to a close. With the release of its third and final film set for September, fans of the show will have one final opportunity to engage with the world of the Crawleys, not on screen, but in person.
Bonhams has unveiled plans for a landmark auction dedicated to the series. Running from 18 August to 16 September, the Downton Abbey Auction will feature a significant collection of costumes, props and set pieces used throughout the production, offering collectors and fans the chance to acquire a piece of the show’s legacy.
The End of a Major British Series
Created by Julian Fellowes and produced by Carnival Films, Downton Abbey became one of the most successful period dramas of the past two decades. Broadcast in more than 250 territories and with an audience exceeding 120 million, it received critical acclaim as well as major industry awards including Golden Globes, Emmys and BAFTAs.
The final instalment, Downton Abbey: The Grand Finale, brings the story to a close after six television series and two feature films. Produced by Carnival Films, with Focus Features and Universal Pictures International handling distribution, the film is expected to provide a conclusive farewell to a series that has defined modern British period drama.
A Global Sale with Local Access
The Bonhams auction will be held online and will coincide with a public exhibition at Bonhams’ New Bond Street gallery in London. The exhibition will be free to attend and will run throughout the auction dates. This dual format makes the sale accessible to collectors around the world while giving UK visitors the chance to view key pieces in person.
Supporting Children’s Palliative Care
The sale has a charitable dimension. Carnival Films will donate its proceeds from contributed items to Together for Short Lives, a UK charity supporting children with life-limiting conditions and their families. Funds raised will help provide care at home, in hospitals and in hospices across the UK.
This aspect adds a further layer of significance to the sale. Buyers are not only investing in cultural artefacts but also supporting families going through some of life’s most difficult circumstances.
Highlights from the Collection
Among the standout pieces is Lady Mary’s wedding outfit from Season 3, worn by Michelle Dockery. Complete with her bouquet, the costume is expected to fetch between £3,000 and £5,000.
Jessica Brown Findlay’s harem pants, worn as Lady Sybil in Season 1, carry the same estimate and reflect the series’ attention to historical detail and character development. Sybil’s decision to wear the trousers was one of the show’s early statements about shifting social attitudes.
Costumes worn by Dame Maggie Smith as the Dowager Countess also feature prominently. Two of her day dresses from Season 6 carry estimates of £1,500 to £2,000, offering a rare chance to acquire pieces associated with one of the show’s most recognisable characters.
Additional items include Lily James’s debutante ball gown, Laura Carmichael’s halterneck dress, and a script from the pilot episode signed by the cast. There’s also a production-used clapper board from Downton Abbey: A New Era and kitchen costumes worn by Lesley Nicol as Mrs Patmore.
A pair of white leather gloves worn by Rob James-Collier in his role as Thomas Barrow is estimated at £100 to £150. While small in scale, items like these provide a more affordable entry point for collectors interested in tangible links to the series.
One-of-a-Kind Set Pieces
Perhaps the most historically resonant object in the sale is the Downton Abbey bell wall. Valued at £5,000 to £7,000, the installation was central to many scenes, representing the servant hierarchy that defined life in the fictional Yorkshire estate. It is a physical embodiment of the structure and symbolism that shaped the drama’s core themes.
Industry Insight
Charlie Thomas, Bonhams UK Group Director for House Sales and Private & Iconic Collections, described the series as “an example of the very best of British television and filmmaking” and highlighted the attention to period detail. “The costumes and props show the impressive attention to detail that brought the world to life on screen and made it so beloved by millions across the globe.”
Gareth Neame, Executive Producer and CEO of Carnival Films, noted the emotional resonance of the collection: “These iconic set items hold a special place in that history, and we are proud to see them help support the vital work of Together for Short Lives.”
Writing in Bonhams Magazine, Philippa Stockley placed the show in historical context, observing that it reflected major societal changes from the Edwardian era through the aftermath of the First World War. “Downton’s Crawley family adopted them all,” she writes, from electricity and cars to social reforms and fashion shifts. “Beautifully crafted throughout, spellbound viewers were immersed in a crucial period and emotional upstairs-downstairs saga.”
Final Thoughts
The Downton Abbey Auction is more than a commercial event. It is a curated retrospective of a show that redefined period drama and influenced public interest in British heritage and history. For fans and collectors alike, the sale offers a chance to own part of a cultural phenomenon that has become firmly embedded in the fabric of British television.
The pieces on offer reflect not only exceptional craftsmanship but also the layers of research, storytelling and performance that gave Downton Abbey its distinct character. Whether bound for private homes, institutional collections or display, the items sold will continue to carry the story of a series that has left a lasting mark on the industry.
