Celebrating Georgian Heritage

Sworders is proud to announce a special auction in association with The Georgian Group, supporting the preservation of 18th- and early 19th-century architectural heritage.

Proceeds will help the Group provide vital conservation advice, support the refurbishment of their historic Fitzroy Square headquarters (a landmark Palladian set piece designed by the Adam brothers in 1792) and launch nationwide educational and outreach initiatives in celebration of their 90th anniversary in 2027.

^{Previously Sold Highlights |  Left: A George III ormolu three-light candelabrum, Top Central: A George III mother-of-pearl octagonal tea caddy, Top Right: A pair of George III Derbyshire Blue John and ormolu 'Cleopatra' candle vases, Bottom Right: A Regency black and gilt japanned side cabinet} 

The auction will take place in January 2026 and will be curated by Sworders Chairman, Guy Schooling, with donations generously provided by Georgian Group members, collectors and institutions.

• Donors may choose to give 50% or 100% of sale proceeds to the campaign. 

• Sworders will waive all costs: no vendor’s commission and no buyer’s premium. 

• Entries of Georgian items are invited across the collecting spectrum: from clocks, silver, jewellery, small furniture, paintings, and needlework to Chinese, Japanese, and Asian works of art. 
  

• Events and experiences will also be welcomed as auction lots.
  
  

• Items need not be strictly from the Georgian period; contributions that reflect its spirit and aesthetic are equally encouraged!

The auction will go on public view in Sworders Cecil Court Gallery, London, ahead of the auction, with an invitational evening drinks reception for invited guests of both The Georgian Group and Sworders Auctioneers.

^{The Georgian Group's London headquarters at 6 Fitzroy Square | Image © James Retief}

The Georgian Group was founded in 1937 to protect and promote Georgian buildings in response to the threat then facing Georgian London. The poet and author Sir John Betjeman, the architectural historian Sir John Summerson, the architectural writers James Lees-Milne and Christopher Hussey, the architect Albert Richardson, and the urban planner Trystan Edwards were among its most prominent early active members.

The Georgian period gave us many of Britain’s most beautiful buildings, yet much of our Georgian inheritance remains in danger. Today, the Group has a statutory role in the planning systems in England and Wales providing expert advice to local authorities and to applicants and their architects. It continues to promote understanding and enjoyment of buildings and designed landscapes of this period through a lively programme of educational activities.

Sworders’ Chairman Guy Schooling comments: 

“We welcome the opportunity to work with The Georgian Group, an organisation which plays such an important role in protecting our 18th- and early 19th-century architectural heritage. So many of the works of art that we sell at Sworders furnish properties of this remarkable period in British history. I look forward to hearing from both the Group’s members and others who may wish to contribute items to the sale in a good cause.”

^{The Georgian Group's London headquarters at 6 Fitzroy Square | Image © James Retief} 

Dr Anya Lucas, Director of The Georgian Group, added: 

“We are tremendously excited about this collaboration. The Georgian Group was founded in 1937 to protect and promote our nation’s Georgian heritage, and this partnership with Sworders will help us continue that mission. As well as ongoing fundraising for our vital conservation advice, we are also raising funds for the refurbishment of our headquarters at 6 Fitzroy Square (part of the extraordinary Palladian set piece designed by the Adam brothers in 1792) and for nationwide educational and outreach activities in our 90th anniversary in 2027’. The auction promises to be a hugely enjoyable occasion, bringing together those who care about the remarkable architecture of this period.”

How to Donate 

Sworders welcomes details and images of potential donations to be sent in advance for approval to: guyschooling@sworder.co.uk 

Once confirmed, items may be delivered to Sworders’ offices in: 

• Stansted Mountfitchet 

• Cecil Court, London 

• Hertford

Deadline for entries: 7 November 2025

Help us safeguard Britain's Georgian treasures for generations to come – consign today and be part of this unique celebration!