Piers Motley

Piers Motley Auctions are based in Exmouth, Devon. They offer specialist antiques and collectors sales as well as general auctions on a monthly basis. 

Sourcing from across Devon, Dorset, Cornwall, Piers Motley also hold occasional onsite sales and offer valuation and house clearance services.


Arthur Devis portrait

Arthur Devis portrait soars over estimate in Devon auction

10 April 2024

Following the major sum for a rare picture painted in India by Arthur William Devis (1762-1822) at Gorringe’s, another work by the artist flew over estimate a fortnight later in Devon.

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West Country painter Michael Morgan's work offered en masse for first time

12 February 2024

Core group of 14 works by the artist on offer could represent significant moment in secondary market

Michael Morgan painting

Artist Michael Morgan makes presence felt on auction market

18 January 2024

West Country painter Michael Morgan’s (1928-2014) career as an artist took off rather late in life.

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You’ve got the hook: Maori jewellery

10 July 2023

The best-known type of Maori jewellery is the pounamu (greenstone) hei tiki pendants, the figural carvings representing ‘the first man’ that were typically worn by women.

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Three figure Matchbox auction buy without a an actual car

26 June 2023

Matchbox can sell well even when there isn’t an actual vehicle in sight.

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Chests from four centuries apart

20 June 2022

These two oak boarded chests, made to similar techniques four centuries apart, were offered for sale recently.

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Polish para auction pick

13 June 2022

A selection of Second World War ephemera with a distinctly Polish flavour estimated at £60-100 sold instead for £7600 at a Devon auction.

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Jersey silver comes at a premium

13 December 2021

This late 18th century Channel Islands silver coffee pot has marks for the Jersey silversmith Jacques Quesnel I.

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Pelham Puppets galore appear at Devon sale

25 January 2021

An extensive selection of Pelham Puppets came up on the first day of the Piers Motley (18% buyer’s premium) auction in Devon on January 18-20.

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White Star Spode now in Devon

31 August 2020

At the very beginning of July, Adam Partridge in Liverpool sold an early 20th century Spode cup and saucer to a highly desirable ‘liner china’ pattern for £8400.

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Auction previews: issue 2446

08 June 2020

Sixteen upcoming lots from auctions taking place around the UK.

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Making mechanical music play and pay off at auction

25 June 2018

A sophisticated disc-playing music box brought one of the highest recent prices for mechanical music at Thimbleby & Shorland (12% buyer’s premium) in Reading.

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John Nash is flavour of the months

05 March 2018

The Buckinghamshire countryside, with its rolling hills, fields, hedgerows and trees, inspired much of the art of John Nash (1893-1977), the younger and less well-known brother of Paul Nash.

Dinky Toys 935 Leyland Octopus Flat Truck with Chains

Dinky diecast toy collection fetches £120,000 at Devon auction

23 June 2016

A vast collection of nearly 3500 diecast models fetched £120,000 at west country auctioneers Piers Motley. The lifetime collection of John Kinchen had been “well known in the Dinky world for decades”.

Motley takes over in Exeter

06 September 2010

PIERS Motley has taken over the Bicton Street Auction Rooms in Exmouth from Martin Spencer-Thomas who has retired after 25 years as an auctioneer and valuer in Devon.

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