The interest in buying at auction is growing at an increasingly fast rate. Here we discuss the many advantages of buying at auction, including environmental sustainability, extensive categories and departments and varied yet affordable prices
Frustrated by the lack of real choice on the high street – and conscious of the need to end the throwaway society - more and more members of the public are discovering the world of auctions. Buying at auction is a great way to find unique and environmentally sustainable items at a great price.
Fine art auctions can be the place to purchase important works for large sums but they are also the source of more affordable antiques and vintage furnishings. You’ll find everything for your home and garden, from furniture and objects d’art to garden benches, branded handbags and wristwatches.
Most will provide great style and value for money. Whether you have set your sights on Georgian elegance, mid-century Scandinavian chic or a diamond ring for someone special, prices at auction are typically well below those at retail. Remember too that buying second hand has the advantage of sustainability. In addition to quality craftsmanship and a sense of history, research has proved that the carbon footprint of antique furniture is a tiny fraction of its flat pack equivalent.
Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers, based in Essex, Hertfordshire, London and Kent, offer a varied sales calendar from regular ‘interiors' sales to those catering to a range of specialist collecting areas from 20th century design to jewellery. No longer is it necessary to turn up to bid in person. Sworders offer remote bidding via their website, giving buyers the chance to participate from home, ensuring they can enjoy the auction experience safely during this Covid time.
Remember to register well in advance of the sale, check terms of buying, and don’t forget to ask for more detailed images and a condition report to help you make an informed purchase.
A major highlight of our forthcoming 'DREAMS | A Unique Private Collection' sale on 9 July is a remarkable archive of letters and manuscripts by John Ruskin (1819–1900), the celebrated Victorian polymath. This unparalleled group – numbering in the hundreds – is believed to be the largest collection of Ruskin correspondence in private hands and spans a vast range of topics from art and architecture to politics, religion, and personal reflection.
2 July 2025
'The Scented Garden of Abdullah the Satirist of Shiraz' - also known as 'The Bagh-i-Muattar' - quickly caught the attention of our book specialists, when a copy bound in full vellum was brought in by a local client to our weekly valuation day.
2 July 2025
We are thrilled to launch The Glass Sale - a brand-new addition to our auction calendar! The inaugural sale will take place on Tuesday 28 October and will become a biannual fixture in our calendar going forward.
20 June 2025