Sworders

Sworders are an auction house based in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. They have a history dating back to 1782 when their Bishop’s Stortford-based forerunner started out in agriculture and property sales.

In 2008 Sworders moved to new purpose-built auction rooms and they also maintain a valuation office in Hertford.

The firm stages regular sales of antiques and collectables as well as other specialist events including dedicated modern art and design auctions and quarterly Country House sales.


Mark Wilkinson

Promotions and new roles – a round up of Movers and Shakers in the UK, US and Europe

01 December 2021

The latest jobs news across the world of art and antiques.

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Super Sèvres selections at separate sales

15 November 2021

Estimated at £200-300 in the belief they were later copies, a pair of Sèvres dishes sold for £9500 at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

Kangxi blue and white brush pot

Chinese brush pot stars in our pick of five auction highlights

12 November 2021

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a Kangxi blue and white brush pot that made over 40-times estimate in Essex.

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Small Peploe view of the Hebrides shines

01 November 2021

A small picture by a giant of the 20th century Scottish art market captivated both domestic and overseas buyers at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Modern and Contemporary art sale.

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Eastern promise: Asian Art in London award nominees announced

18 October 2021

The awards shortlist for Asian Art in London’s East Asian art season have been announced.

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Famous tree, we presume

11 October 2021

A section of wood taken from the tree where Stanley met Livingstone in 1871 sold at Sworders’ September 14-15 Fine Interiors sale for £2400.

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Single-owner collection of insurance company badges forms intriguing part of Essex sale

11 October 2021

It was in the wake of the Great Fire of London in 1666 that the first societies were created to protect against the losses caused by fire.

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Ethel Walker portrait is much-admired at Essex auction

26 July 2021

A high price for Scottish painter Ethel Walker (1861-1951) came at Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) sale of the Sally Hunter and Ian Posgate collection.

Lawrences

Consequences of self-isolation for businesses

22 July 2021

Art and antiques businesses are being impacted by staff shortages due to self-isolation requirements relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

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Early reproductions of French furniture now matching the price of original pieces

19 July 2021

The price gulf that once existed between good 18th century French furniture and very good late 19th century revivalism is no longer visible at auction. A quality reproduction can often outsell its period exemplar.

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Archaeological revival jewellery comes to summer auctions

28 June 2021

These two fine examples of archaeological revival gold jewellery come for sale in the regions in July.

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Photo journalism at forefront of new sale section

21 June 2021

Sworders’ next Design auction on July 13-14 is the first to include a dedicated section devoted to photography.

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Essex sale provides latest market test for Company School ornithological paintings

07 June 2021

Interest in the exquisitely detailed ornithological paintings produced by Indian artists from the late 18th to the mid-19th centuries has grown significantly over the last few decades.

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In the footsteps of Cedric Morris

07 June 2021

The 466-lot sale of the Sally Hunter and Ian Posgate collection at Sworders was a marathon event – taking over 10 hours in all.

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Design writer Fiona MacCarthy’s own collection sold in Essex auction

24 May 2021

Sworders' latest Design sale included a group of Arts & Crafts items from the estate of the design writer and biographer Fiona MacCarthy (1940-2020).

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Printing money: wall power and connoisseurship on a budget

10 May 2021

Modern prints can offer the chance to own interesting and eye-catching works, including those by well-known artists, without needing to invest large sums of money. This makes prints a viable option for collectors on a smaller budget as well as those just starting out.

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Traditional Asian art series takes place over a longer stretch this year

03 May 2021

Schedules for all sorts of auction series have been shaken up by pandemic restrictions, and the Asian art sales reflect this – but plenty is still on offer at the upcoming series

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Tudor connection chewed over

26 April 2021

Armorial head linked to the palaces of Henry VIII when he was married to Anne Boleyn.

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Renowned Pre-Raphaelite beauty caught on camera

26 April 2021

Original photographs of a well-known Pre-Raphaelite beauty – the muse of William Holman Hunt and the mother of Virginia Woolf and Vanessa Bell – sold for £2600 at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

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Grima and Omega – the About Time partnership

08 March 2021

At the peak of his fame in the 1969, the Anglo-Italian jewellery designer Andrew Grima was invited by Omega to create what would become the About Time collection.

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