Valuation Day at The Bloomsbury Hotel, with BBC expert Lars Tharp

Sworders specialists will host their first valuation day at The Bloomsbury Hotel in London on Thursday 22 March. The BBC’s "Antiques Roadshow" expert Lars Tharp will be among those waiting to meet members of the public curious to know the auction value of their art and antiques. Lars has enjoyed a multi-faceted career as a curator and museum director but it is expertise in ceramics and Oriental art that has made him one of the longest-serving and most respected of all the Roadshow specialists. He brings his deep knowledge to the Bloomsbury Hotel alongside Sworders head of department  Yexue Li.

Joining the Asian art department in Bloomsbury will be Shane Xu (Modern and Contemporary Prints), Catriona Smith (Jewellery and Watches) and Prudence Hopkins (Designer Handbags and Couture).

Once laying unworn in the bottom of the jewellery box, the strong and daring designs of the 1960s and 70s are now back in vogue says Catriona Smith. “I’d love to see work by British goldsmiths such as Andrew Grima, Charles De Temple and Alan Martin Gard, now performing exceptionally well at auction.”

^{An Andrew Grima ‘Pinkerton’ gold, tourmaline and diamond bracelet watch, hallmarked 1969, from the 'About Time' collection sold for £19,500 at Sworders in 2016.}  

Prints specialist Shane Xu was enthused to see work by Banksy and other contemporary printmakers at an equivalent event last year. “The market for Banksy remains as strong as ever. A copy of ‘Turf War’ was brought to our valuation day in Camden Passage by a collector who had purchased it when Banksy was just starting to make a name for himself. It sold for £6,300 in our November 2017 auction.”

_{Turf War by Banksy sold for £6,300 in Sworders’ November 2017 sale of Modern and Contemporary Prints.}

Accessories specialist Prudence Hopkins is on the lookout for timeless classics and limited edition statement pieces. “A classic handbag really never goes out of style. Luxury designer handbags such as the Hermès 'Birkin' and the 'Kelly' are achieving exceptional prices at auction. Chanel accessories are also performing well. I’d be delighted too to see anything from Mulberry and Alexander McQueen to Balenciaga and Chanel.”

The event will run from 10-4pm.

For more information or to book an appointment please contact us on 01992 583508 or appointments@sworder.co.uk

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