ABOUT US

The Magellan Centre is a small auction and study centre located within the Swinton Park Estate in North Yorkshire and its current growth and development schedule is designed for completion in 2021.

Swinton Park Castle is the ancestral seat of the Earl of Swinton and its history dates from the late 1600 and includes that of Lister Mills — one of 19th century Europe’s largest silk factories.

The Magellan Centre is a division of The Centre for Early Furniture and Art Ltd, and was inspired by the visions of furniture historians Louise Forster and the late Victor Chinnery, author of ‘Oak Furniture, The British Tradition’. Victor's work at the initial stages of the business helped Louise to create the foundations of the Centre, and his books and scholarly works in relation to early English furniture continue to provide important reference points for its experts.

Louise is a well-regarded furniture historian with extensive knowledge in relation to the impact of silk route trade on Western art. Louise studied fine art and art history at Newcastle and graduated in 1982. Having worked as an independent expert for over 30 years, building valuable private collections of early furniture and art for corporate and private clients, much of Louise’s work has involved finding, appraising and successfully purchasing, extremely rare items at auction at a national and international level. Louise is the senior director of The Magellan Centre.

Dr Philippe Smolarski is head of The Magellan Centre's Asian Arts department and brings to the team performance 25 years’ experience within the oriental market.