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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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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Timeless Archipenko and Gormley studies

22 February 2021

A drawing by Alexander Archipenko (1887-1964) will be among the lots on offer at Sworders’ sale of Modern British & 20th Century art on April 20.

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It’s a country house by Bawden, in Essex, but a puzzle otherwise

22 February 2021

Essex auction house Sworders is asking ATG readers to help identify the manor house, also in Essex, featured in this Edward Bawden (1903-89) watercolour.

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More Collingwood microgauze emerges

08 February 2021

Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) sold this 1980s ‘microgauze’ wall hanging by the British artist-weaver Peter Collingwood (1922-2008).

Cabinet and commode by Jules Leleu

Auction fireworks for Jules Leleu Art Deco furniture

01 February 2021

Sworders’ latest Design sale held live online included a collection of work by Jules Leleu (1883-1961).

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European picture highlights in Essex sale include a tranquil river and bustling Rome

01 February 2021

The two-day sale at Sworders at the end of last year included a couple of notable Continental works that drew considerable competition.

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Milan sketch raises Richard Parkes Bonington auction reputation

01 February 2021

In the spring of 1826, artist Richard Parkes Bonington (1802-28) arrived in Milan with his companion and patron Charles Rivet.

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Works by Norwich School artists from single owner bring 'focused interest' at Sworders

01 February 2021

Rare auction appearance of market-fresh group of works by Norwich School artists such as Cotman and Chrome

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New faces and hires in the art and antiques market in the UK and overseas

27 January 2021

An update of moves and other developments from across the art and antiques industry including at Bellmans and Sworders.

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Allan Ramsay portrait deemed ‘a Rolls-Royce of a painting’

25 January 2021

A rediscovered historical portrait by a major name can give a boost to any sale.

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Qing gilt-bronze incense burner sells at 17-times estimate to Hong Kong buyer at Sworders

30 November 2020

Sworders (25% buyer’s premium) latest Asian art sale in Stansted Mountfitchet included this ‘splashed’ gilt-bronze incense burner from the Qing (1644-1911) period.

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Bidding for Ravilious wood engraving underlines demand for leading Mod Brit names

30 November 2020

As time goes by, an almost imperceptible process seems to take place in the art market where certain artists who were once considered avant garde begin to feel like established names.

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Great example of Grand Tour glyphic art sells for over 40-times estimate at Sworders

23 November 2020

Exceptional examples of the glyphic arts – the apotheosis of jewellery collecting during the Grand Tour era – are rising high in the saleroom once more.

‘Dedham Vale’ by John Constable

John Constable landscape emerges at Sworders after being dismissed as a copy by another London auctioneer

17 November 2020

Sworders is offering an oil sketch of the Suffolk countryside by John Constable (1776-1837). It will be offered for sale on December 8-9, estimated at £100,000-150,000.

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Elvis Presley’s 18ct Corum Buckingham watch to be offered at Sworders this month

02 November 2020

A watch worn many times by the king of rock and roll at the peak of his career comes for sale at Sworders this month.

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Peter Collingwood: an artist-weaver who worked wonders

26 October 2020

For the second time in as many sales, Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) 20th Century Design auction on October 13 included a ‘microgauze’ wall hanging by the British artist-weaver Peter Collingwood (1922-2008).

Chanticleer by Eric Ravilious

Rarely seen Eric Ravilious print stars in our pick of five auction highlights sold this week

23 October 2020

ATG’s weekly selection of items that caught bidders’ eyes includes a rare wood engraving of a crowing rooster by Eric Ravilious that sold 25-times over estimate at an auction in Essex.

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