Ending 25th Jan, 2026 18:00
The Georgian Group | Charity Auction
37
Rory Fraser
Moving house, looking for a special gift or illustration/ invitation? Let Rory capture the spirit of your building through his crisp, colourful paintings, which have been described as 'exquisite' by 'The Times'. These have ranged from cottages and country houses to churches, universities, town houses and villas.
Rory, an exhibited and published artist, will prepare a bespoke A3-size architectural painting of a house or building of your choice. This may follow a visit, if in London, or can be prepared from photographs should you live further afield.
The subject of the work is to be decided following the auction. The example illustration is a previous commission of Albany Piccadilly, 2024, pencil and watercolour on cotton, A3, unframed.
Notes:
Rory Fraser is an award-winning historian, podcaster, presenter and painter.
Rory is fascinated by how architecture encapsulates ideas and, as the most accessible of art forms, acts as the best vehicle through which to explore history. After studying English at Oxford, Rory explored this in his first book, that he also illustrated Follies: An Architectural Journey (2020).
The book was described as a ‘compendium of joy’ by The Times, compared to Evelyn Waugh’s travel writing by The Wall Street Journal and featured on the BBC as well as the LRB’s book of the week. A five-part documentary of the book written and presented by Rory was released on the global platform ‘Shelter’ in 2022. It won a Silver Telly Award and was recommended by Bloomberg and The Sydney Morning Herald.
Rory then gained an MPhil in Art and Architectural History at Cambridge on the English Baroque and its relationship with the Mughal Empire. He now divides his time between writing a forthcoming book with William Collins, co-hosting the Country House Podcast, and drawing commissions. Rep by Andrew Nurnberg.
Sold for £610
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Auction: The Georgian Group | Charity Auction, ending 25th Jan, 2026
Celebrating Georgian Heritage | Sworders' Auction in Support of The Georgian Group
Sworders were delighted to partner with The Georgian Group for this special fundraising auction which raised £19,000. The Group are delighted by the results, which exceeded expectations and underlined the passion that people feel for this particularly precious part of our cultural inheritance.
Founded in 1937 in response to growing threats to Georgian architecture, proceeds from the auction will go directly towards The Group’s conservation and education initiatives, supporting their vital advisory role in protecting 18th- and early 19th-century buildings across Britain. Funds will also contribute to the refurbishment of the Group’s Fitzroy Square headquarters, and to nationwide outreach and educational programmes marking the charity’s 90th anniversary in 2027.
Curated by Sworders' Chairman, Guy Schooling, the sale featured items generously donated by Georgian Group members, collectors and institutions. Sworders waived all selling costs for the event – with no vendor’s commission and no buyer’s premium – ensuring that every pound raised will support The Georgian Group’s vital work.
Please note that this item is not suitable for a pre-sale automated shipping estimate due to the items weight/size.
The below table shows indicative shipping costs for larger items being delivered within the UK mainland. Please note that all the below costs are purely for indicative purposes and are to be used as a guideline only. If you purchase multiple large items, we will combine deliveries to reduce the shipping costs.
Should you be successful in buying this item, a specific shipping estimate will need to be requested after the sale using the link in your invoice email; this also includes all requests for international delivery.
If you would like further information about shipping and collection please see here.
Buying a pre-loved, antique, or vintage item not only provides you with unique style and value for money but it also helps to reduce landfill, and the annual emissions of an antique or vintage piece can be as little as one sixteenth of those of its new equivalent!
Sworders is proud to be supporting the work of Antiques are Green - the movement that was founded in 2009 to promote “a greener future created from the past”. Read their fascinating carbon footprint study of a Georgian chest of drawers versus a modern equivalent here
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