Art & Antiques in aid of The Sussex Snowdrop Trust

We are delighted to share a very special initiative by Arundel Eccentrics, based at The Old Brewery Antiques Warehouses in Fitzalan Road. They have created a one-of-a-kind decorated chest to raise money for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust – a unique local charity providing nursing care at home for children with life-threatening or terminal illness.

The Story Behind the Chest

As Brenda Nassarian of Arundel Eccentrics explains:

“We wanted to do something for The Sussex Snowdrop Trust… a unique local charity providing ‘Nursing Care at Home’ for local children who have a life-threatening or terminal illness. We mulled over a few ideas, chatted it through with the Snowdrop Trust and their patron The Duchess of Norfolk, and decided on our signature style of decoration – a take on 19th century lacquerwork.”

Using a beautiful English 19th century chest as the base, the team hand-painted, decorated with decoupage, and

finished with lacquer to create a striking piece of art.

Symbolism in the Design

The images chosen for the chest each carry deep meaning connected to the Snowdrop Trust’s philosophy:

• Snowdrops – new beginnings, hope, and resilience.
• Butterflies – the soul.
• Ladybirds – hope and protection.
• Dragonflies – transformation, adaptability, and spiritual clarity.

The chest was painted black with delicate touches of gold, framed by a vibrant floral border to evoke

the beauty of an English country garden.

A Very Special Signature

A space was left for The Duchess of Norfolk, patron of The Sussex Snowdrop Trust, to add her signature in gold.

As a final flourish, a handwritten and signed message from the Duchess on Arundel Castle notepaper has

been placed in one of the drawers — making this chest entirely unique.

Where to See It

This one-off chest will be on display at the Arundel Eccentrics warehouse and will be sold at auction later this year,

with proceeds going to The Sussex Snowdrop Trust.

If you would like to be notified when auction details are released, please email: hello@arundeleccentrics.com.

Win a meal as part of our Antiques valuation and trail on Sunday 24th August

Visit the workshop and enter via  button above - can you guess how many Butterflies, Dragonflies and Ladybirds there are on the chest? Closest guess wins a meal including wine up to the value of £200 at a venue of your choice in Arundel.  In the event that there is more than one guess of the closest value then the winning entries will be put into a draw to select the winner.  The winning entry will be announced at our closing ceremony on 25th August at the Lido.

Visit Arundel Eccentrics

You can explore their collection at The Old Brewery Antiques Warehouses, 2A Fitzalan Rd, Arundel BN18 9JS - (Access by foot -

over the bridge into Queens Street and the warehouse can be found just behind the Co-op or by going down the alley next to the Vethouse, turn left and then sharp left again)

Special Festival Opening: 20th, 21st, 23rd & 24th August, 12 noon – 3pm

or Open every Saturday - Other times by arrangement (message ahead to confirm)