This week, Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers experienced one of its best attended auctions since the rise of internet bidding, thanks to a consignment of furniture and ornaments from local rock star, Sir Rod Stewart.
This week, Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers experienced one of its best attended auctions since the rise of internet bidding, thanks to a consignment of furniture and ornaments from local rock star, Sir Rod Stewart.
The singer, who has a mansion in Sheering, near Harlow, was in need of a good old-fashioned clear out and approached local firm Sworders with the collection of items earlier in the year. The media went wild for the story and it didn’t take long for die-hard fans to hear about the sale.
Realising they could be in with a chance of owning some of the glitzy items belonging to the star, fans flocked to the Stansted Mountfitchet Auction Rooms to get in on the action. The 37 lots were certainly in-keeping with the star’s flamboyant style. People were queuing up for their turn to sit in his leopard print armchair! The chair received the highest number of pre-auction bids on record for the firm and eventually sold for a staggering £4,670 including premium.
As well as a jam-packed sale room throughout the day, the sale generated three times the number of online registered bidders for its kind. Most bidders came from the UK but there was also interest from the US, India, Greece, Singapore and Malaysia.
Among the 37 lots, which all sold well over estimate, were a pair of gilt bronze-mounted side tables, snapped up for £6,200, a pair of late 19th Century pier mirrors, which sold for almost double the guide price at £5,000, and a set of four gilt bronze two-branch wall lights, which went under the hammer at £2,800. A pair of Victorian leather armchairs were most popular, with the hammer coming down at £7,600.
Autographed auction catalogues were sold at the sale to raise money for local Children’s charity Tom’s Trust.
To view the full results of the sale, please click here.
A remarkable collection of 177 lots of rare and historic Bibles feature in our timed auction of Books, Manuscripts and Maps from 17-27 April, offering collectors, scholars and history enthusiasts a unique opportunity to own some of the most significant early English translations of the Holy Scriptures. The collection showcases centuries-old editions that played a pivotal role in shaping religious thought, language and culture.
15 April 2025
Ahead of his upcoming ‘retirement sale’ on 13–14 May, we caught up with the ever-charismatic Paul Atkinson to uncover some of the captivating stories behind the lots on offer.
11 April 2025
With styles and silhouettes endlessly evolving during the Victorian period, the continuous advancements in fashion offered women more choice and freedom regarding their attire. Sworders are delighted to present a collection of Victorian clothing in our upcoming Jewellery, Designer Handbags & Accessories sale, taking place on Wednesday 23 April.
9 April 2025