Specialist auctions add sparkle to sales
The decision to create specialist category auctions has proved a real success for Chilcotts Auctioneers, its vendors and buyers.
Since starting in March 2023, it has led to consistently notable sales and top prices, impressive for a regionally based auction house.
Customers have commented on the polished professionalism that Chilcotts provide, from the detailed, accurate descriptions, attributable to Senior Valuer & Cataloguer Jennifer Bell, to the clear photography of Marketing Assistant, Courtney Round.
Elizabeth Chilcott said: “This attention to detail allows buyers to feel much more confident in making bids based on what they see in our online catalogue. Consequently we’re attracting additional national professional buyers as well as our more regular local buyers; for our sellers, this means their items are going under the hammer for really high prices.”
Of particular note are the quarterly standalone specialist sales of jewellery, watches, coins and silver.
“Some of our recent notable auction sales include a record online bid price of £4,600 for a stunning Murrle Bennett Art Nouveau pendant and £7,260 for an 1866 Hong Kong Dollar, the top price achieved for this item at a provincial saleroom.”
Other high achievers include £5,800 for a Blancpain stainless steel Fifty Fathoms Flyback Dive Watch which sold for £5,800 and an 18ct yellow gold watch chain which achieved £4,100 - significantly above scrap value. One particularly beautiful item of jewellery, a stunning 18ct yellow gold and diamond multi-strand Cartier necklace fetched £9,900. Prices include Buyer’s Premium, a percentage of the hammer price.
Liz added: “The other change we’ve seen with these specialist auctions is a high sell-through rate. This means there’s little that doesn’t reach or better its reserve price, so the vast majority of auction lots are being sold. We even had a spectacular, rare ‘white glove’ sale in March this year, where all 535 lots were sold.”
The next specialist sale of this type is December 7 and Liz suggests it’s an ideal opportunity for people thinking of selling jewellery, watches, gold coins and silver. “The nearest auction to Christmas always does well, with people looking to buy unusual gifts for loved ones. To help potential vendors, we offer a free valuation service, in Honiton on Fridays or at the Cedars Hotel in Barnstaple every third Thursday of the month.”
In addition to jewellery, other specialist sales are: ‘Fine Art, Good Antiques & 20th Century Design’ featuring pictures, ceramics, Asian art, furniture and clocks, which are held every eight weeks and the twice-yearly ‘Collectors Sales’, including medals, militaria, stamps, toys and models.
