A Season of Distinction

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Over the past six months, Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers has delivered a remarkable series of single-owner sales, further cementing our reputation for curating and conducting auctions of the highest calibre. Drawing on expert market insight, meticulous presentation and tailored client service, we have brought to market a succession of extraordinary collections - each with its own compelling narrative and outstanding results.

A particular highlight was Holkham | The Attic Sale - a rare opportunity to offer items from one of Britain’s most iconic stately homes. Conducted on-site at the Estate in February - the first-ever auction held at the house in its long and distinguished history - the sale attracted significant national and international interest. Buyers responded enthusiastically to both the provenance and quality of the pieces, and the event stood as a testament to our team’s skill in sensitively handling historically significant collections while achieving strong prices across the board.

^{Holkham | The Attic Sale - © Grahame Mellanby}

I would not hesitate to recommend Sworders to anyone contemplating a general sale. It really was a very comprehensive service they offered from the off. Their enthusiastic and very experienced team came with great knowledge and integrated well alongside the modest team at Holkham to minimise disruption to my family and visitors to the estate. There was a huge amount of work to do in preparation for the sale. The Sworders team selected items from the attics and cellars that my wife and I had already sifted. They then created the lots and produced a beautiful catalogue with well-crafted photography using cleverly chosen and differing backdrops within the hall. When the previewing days came, I was confident that our lots were well presented. There was enthusiasm from the visitors, and this continued to the sale day when the relay of auctioneers created a real buzz, which certainly helped things along.

The Earl of Leicester, May 2025

Moving southwards from Norfolk to London, we were honoured to partner with the legendary Guinevere Antiques for a ‘last hurrah’ auction following the closure of their showroom on the King’s Road. Famed for their eclectic, high-end inventory, Guinevere’s loyal clientele - and a new wave of collectors - responded to the flair and individuality of this stylishly curated sale. The result, a 100% sold rate, echoed the enduring legacy of one of London’s most distinctive antiques emporiums.

^{Guinevere | The Last Hurrah - © Nathaniel Davies}

Another standout was Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall, a collection reflecting the refined taste of its most recent custodian. Offering period furniture, paintings and decorative works of art, the sale was meticulously catalogued and widely marketed. A standout moment came with La Belle Mère by Irish artist Sir John Lavery (1856–1941), which achieved a showstopping £468,000 - underscoring the appetite for exceptional works with notable provenance.

^{Better by Design | The Principal Contents of Boden Hall - Sir John Lavery RA RSA RHA (Irish, 1856-1941), 'La Belle Mère' (Sold for £468,000)}

Finally, Paul Atkinson | The Nomadic Collector took us to Mallorca, with a beautifully assembled collection that reflected a lifetime of discerning acquisition. The sale’s success reinforced the continuing strength of the market for distinctive, single-owner collections - especially when shaped by a coherent and captivating story.

^{Paul Atkinson | The Nomadic Collector}

These successes are not only a reflection of the richness and diversity of the collections entrusted to us, but also of the expertise and collaboration across our Private Client, Pictures, and Fine Interiors teams. From initial consultation to the final gavel, we offer a bespoke, discreet service designed to maximise both visibility and value.

If you are considering the sale of a private collection, the contents of a home, or an estate, we warmly invite you to contact our Private Client team. With a proven track record and a passion for storytelling through objects, Sworders is uniquely placed to honour the legacy of your collection.

^{All sold prices shown include fees.}

To find out more, please contact:

privatecollections@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778

HOUSE SALES & PRIVATE COLLECTIONS