The Cheshire Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair 20th – 22nd February 2026
THE PAVILION SUITE, CHESTER RACECOURSE, CHESTER CH1 2LY
A painting by the artist Rosita Marlborough (b.1943), also known as Dagmar Rosita Astrid Libertas, Duchess of Marlborough, will be one of the many rare and fascinating exhibits going on sale at The Cheshire Decorative, Antiques & Art Fair at the Grandstand Pavilion Suite, Chester Racecourse from 20th – 22nd February 2026.
A British artist of Swedish and German descent, Rosita Marlborough was the third wife of John Spencer-Churchill, 11th Duke of Marlborough, from 1972 until their divorce in 2008. Her paintings rarely appear for sale and are now highly sought after.
Her career spans figurative painting, watercolour, and sculpture. Born in Madrid to aSwedish aristocratic family, she studied at Konstfack in Stockholm and the École Nationale Supérieure des Arts Décoratifs in Paris.
Before turning to painting professionally in 1992, in her earlier life she worked in fashion and design, including for Emanuel Ungaro in Paris. She started exhibiting in 1995 and this work for sale at the fair from exhibitor Wigfull Fine Art, titled August Afternoon, dates from the first solo show of her work in that year. She often depicts intimate, figurative scenes rendered in oil. Following her travels to Morocco, her work expanded to include portraits and landscapes inspired by North African themes. Marlborough has exhibited widely in London, New York, and Palm Beach, and her work is held in private collections worldwide. The painting is priced at £1,100.
The February Cheshire Decorative Antiques & Art Fair returns to Chester Racecourse for the first time since 2023. Says organiser Sue Ede from Cooper Fairs: ‘We are delighted to be back in February, our exhibitors have expressed their confidence in joining the fair for a winter fixture for the first time for several years, which marks a turning point. It seems there is a growing demand for a fine quality event, and we are privileged to be able to provide what our exhibitors want.’ The return of the February event follows a very busy fair in October 2025 when sales rose on previous years.
The Cheshire fair is widely respected for offering a connoisseur’s range of fine quality antiques, works of art and decorative pieces from the 16th to 21st century. Connoisseurs and collectors from across the Northwest have been flocking to the fair at the Racecourse Grandstand Pavilion since 1989.
Among the many more unusual pieces on sale will be an Edwardian poachers’ ferret box. With doors at each end, the ferrets could be accessed in a ”roll on, roll off” fashion and put to work. Made from pine, and still in its original paint, the box stands on four little feet, has six breathing holes, is topped by a leather carrying handle, and is a glimpse back to a rustic and very different way of life. The box stands 28cm tall, 35cm long and is 16 cm wide. It is in good solid condition and priced at £120 from new exhibitor Vicky Thomas Antiques from Manchester.
Vicky Thomas will also be showing a Gothic Revival period top section of an ecclesiastical stained-glass window. Described as beautiful and bright, the lead forming the outline of the image with a mixture of pot metal glass with rich ruby reds and cobalt blues, the panel depicts church buildings amongst green foliage and golden scrolls.
The panel stands 72cm high, 55cm across the base and 34cm across the middle section. It is in good condition and has remained untouched since it was
removed from the church. It is priced at £850.
Among other exhibitors from the Northwest will be well-known furniture specialists Mike and Margaret Melody, showing a wide range of town and country pieces and unusual collectables. Solo Antiques from Lancashire return with Art Nouveau and Art Deco glass and bronze sculpture, including figurative works. And from Ludlow, will be Mark Rowles Fine Art with fine late 19th and 20th century paintings, watercolours and contemporary sculpture. Prices range from less than £20 for small items of silver and unusual collectables to more than £50,000 for the finest works of art.
The fair runs daily and includes a restaurant for light lunches and refreshments. The Chester Decorative Antiques & Art Fair
Grandstand Pavilion, Chester Racecourse CH1 2LY
Times: Friday-Saturday 11.00am-5.00pm, Sun 11.00am-4.30pm.
Entry £5.00 in advance from Eventbrite – https://www.eventbrite.com/e/1850926223159?aff=oddtdtcreator
The fair is organised by: Cooper Events, Somerset TA8 1BU. Tel: 01278 784912.