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.


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Doulton delights packed in floor to ceiling

03 June 2023

A remarkable Nautilus Clock sold for £7000 when Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) offered the first part of the Ann Turner collection of Doulton pottery.

Norwich silver

Get a taste of silver from the Colman collection coming to auction in Essex

29 May 2023

Sworders’ next Fine Interiors sale includes a collection of Norwich 17th century silver assembled by one of East Anglia’s best-known families.

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Interview: 'Bawden prints are a bit of fun'

08 May 2023

Amy Scanlon, head of Modern and Contemporary art at Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet, discusses her affection for Bawden prints

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Edward Bawden: Printmaker at the cutting edge

08 May 2023

A lively market has emerged for the linocuts of Great Bardfield artist Edward Bawden

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A rural Essex man who loved the city

08 May 2023

'Cattle Market, Braintree' from 1937 is a trademark Edward Bawden image. But it is also the artist’s only pre-war editioned print.

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Lewis Carroll’s ‘child friends’ photographs sell to French dealer

01 May 2023

A series of photographs taken by Charles Lutwidge Dodgson (1832-98) – aka Lewis Carroll – has sold for £94,400 as part of a timed online auction at Sworders.

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Owned by a London connoisseur, gentleman collector and agent to Victor Rothschild

01 May 2023

This pair of 10in (25cm) famille verte and ormolu vases has a provenance to Arthur Tite (1904-84), the London connoisseur, gentleman collector and agent to Victor Rothschild, 3rd Baron (1910-90).

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Pressing engagement in Essex

01 May 2023

The oshi-e technique, meaning ‘pressed picture’, involves folding and pressing scraps of fabric, such as kimono cloth, and washi paper to create an image.

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South American funerary urn stands-out as private collections galore come to Essex auction

17 April 2023

Among the highlights of Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest Fine Interiors sale was a remarkable anthropomorphic funerary urn from Ecuador.

Military costume

Pick of the week: Old Romantics who loved to dress up

03 April 2023

This military tunic was worn by the English soldier and friend of the Romantic poets Edward John Trelawny during the Greek War of Independence.

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Surrealist carpet designed comes with heart and sole

27 March 2023

Footprint design telling a story of lost love stars among a selection of ‘out of the ordinary’ collectables lots sold at auction

George I architect’s desk

A grand design: George I architect’s desk in demand

20 March 2023

This exceptional George I walnut and feather-banded architect’s desk was hammered down at seven times its low estimate.

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Musician's Doulton Lambeth collection comes to Essex auction

20 March 2023

On May 16 Sworders is offering the first tranche of a fine collection of Doulton Lambeth ceramics.

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Angelica Kauffman counted royalty among her patrons

27 February 2023

Angelica Kauffman (1741-1807) was one of the most recognised artists of her day with her reputation spreading across Italy, France, Poland and Russia.

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Jones of the Stones and Nipper of the Yard

20 February 2023

A group of five autograph letters sent by Brian Jones of the Rolling Stones to a Miss Megan Jones in the years 1965-66 brought a bid of £4500.

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Vulcan cameras on buyers’ radar

20 February 2023

The prototype B1 Vulcan first flew in 1952 and it is a sign of the design’s longevity and durability that the last of these bombers was taken out of service only in 1984.

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Poignant reminder of home front perils in the Second World War

23 January 2023

A rare Second World War helmet worn by members of a little-known unit of the UK home front comes for sale at Sworders on February 7.

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Sword makers and armourers forced to turn to peaceful pursuits

02 January 2023

The Komai family of sword makers and armourers were among the many Japanese metalworkers courting a new clientele during the Meiji period (1868-1912).

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Asian art: Look through a lens of Tibetan Buddhism

02 January 2023

Creative examples featured in recent UK auctions show the influence of religion and culture on the Manchu rulers of the Qing

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Ugly, venomous but proves so precious

12 December 2022

Found by head of department Catriona Smith in a box of mixed jewellery, this rare 16th or 17th century gold ‘toadstone’ ring came for sale at Sworders (25% buyer’s premium).

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