The romance of the Romany lifestyle rolls into Cirencester this month with the auction of a very special gypsy caravan. One lucky auction bidder will soon become the proud owner of a mini palace fit for a gypsy king or queen.
The traditional gypsy caravan is the star of this month’s Pictures, Antiques and Interiors sale at The Cotswold Auction Company in Cirencester.
Prior to sale, the caravan had been an eye-catching landmark in the garden of Dunkirk Manor, Amberley, near Nailsworth for the last 20 years. This type of caravan is also known as a ‘bow-top vardo’ and features a log-burner to keep its occupants warm on cold winter nights.
The Cotswold Auction Company have recently been selling the remaining contents of the property, and the caravan was the very last item to be removed.
Auctioneer Lindsey Braune says, ‘The Romany lifestyle has always held a romantic appeal to those of us caught up in the hustle and bustle of everyday life. And who wouldn’t fall in love with this little gem?
The charm of a traditional gypsy vardo (Image: cotswoldauction.co.uk) ‘This charming gypsy caravan is one of the most unusual lots we have sold in recent years, and we are expecting lots of interest from bidders far and wide.
‘Specialist winching equipment was needed to retrieve the caravan from the top of a hill,’ she adds. ‘We are delighted that it’s now accessible to view at our Cirencester auction rooms.’
The auction takes place across Tuesday and Wednesday, January 21 and 22, 2025, at The Cotswold Auction Company’s Cirencester Bankside saleroom.
A life on the open road in style (Image: cotswoldauction.co.uk) The estimate is £2,000 to £3,000, although it does need some restoration.
Traditionally burnt at gypsy funerals, relatively few vardos of this vintage and quality have survived, so this beauty should have enormous appeal.
The Cotswold Auction is based at Bankside Trading Park, Love Lane, Cirencester, GL7 1YG. Tel: 01285 642420, or email: ciren@cotswoldauction.co.uk
The vardo features a log-burner to keep its occupants warm on cold winter nights (Image: cotswoldauction.co.uk) The beautiful detailing in the gypsy vardo (Image: cotswoldauction.co.uk)