Chorley's

About Chorley's

Chorley's is a fine art and antiques auction house based at Prinknash Abbey Park in Gloucestershire, near Gloucester. It sells to national and international buyers through live auctions held at its salerooms in the grounds of Prinknash Abbey, supported by online bidding. The firm also offers free auction valuations and professional probate and insurance valuations.

The business is led by directors Thomas Jenner-Fust and Werner Freundel. Thomas joined in 2007 after working at Bonhams and Christie's. Werner studied at the Courtauld Institute and the V&A and specialises in carpets and furniture.

History

Chorley's traces its origins to 1862, as the art and antiques division of Bruton Knowles. In 2006 the business moved to Prinknash Abbey Park and was renamed Chorley's Auctioneers. It has continued to hold its sales there since then.

What Chorley's sells

Chorley's focuses on higher-value antiques and art, with a calendar of specialist live auctions and timed online sales. Its main sale types are:

• Fine Art and Antiques
• Modern Art and Design
• Silver
• Jewellery
• Country house sales

The firm highlights past discoveries and sales including a Samuel Johnson letter, the Thrale-Piozzi correspondence, a painting by Antonio Joli, a rare Dutch laburnum chest, stone lions from the Palace of Westminster and an Anatolian Ushak carpet.

Selling at Chorley's

Chorley's offers free auction valuations for anyone considering a sale, as well as formal probate and insurance valuations. Items accepted for sale are offered either in the live auctions at Prinknash or in the timed online sales. Enquiries can be made to the office on weekdays. Sellers with carpets, rugs or furniture can draw on the specialist knowledge of director Werner Freundel in those fields.

Buying and bidding

Chorley's charges a tiered buyer's premium on the hammer price:

• 25% plus VAT (30% including VAT) on the first £100,000
• 15% plus VAT (18% including VAT) on the balance from £100,000.01 to £500,000
• 12.5% plus VAT (15% including VAT) on the balance from £500,000.01 to £1,000,000
• 10% plus VAT (12% including VAT) on the balance above £1,000,000

Live online bidding through the firm's own Chorley's Live platform carries no additional charge. Bidding through the-saleroom adds a 6% fee including VAT. Timed auctions are run on a separate Chorley's timed site.

Payment is accepted by bank transfer or by card through a secure system, with a card limit of £1,000 per auction. Cash, cheques and banker's drafts are not accepted. Lots must be collected by 5pm on the Friday one week after the auction, after which storage is charged at £2 per item per day. A limited packing service starts at £15 per package plus postage, but fragile items are excluded, and the firm keeps a list of recommended couriers.

Location and viewing

The saleroom is at Prinknash Abbey Park, Gloucestershire GL4 8EX, and the office is open Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm. Viewing usually takes place on the Sunday from 10am to 4pm and on the Monday from 9am to 4pm before a sale. The setting in the grounds of Prinknash Abbey makes viewing days a pleasant visit for buyers from Gloucestershire, the Cotswolds and beyond.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Chorley's based?

Chorley's is based at Prinknash Abbey Park in Gloucestershire, near Gloucester. It moved there in 2006, when it was renamed Chorley's Auctioneers.

What is the buyer's premium at Chorley's?

The premium is 25% plus VAT on the first £100,000 of the hammer price, with lower rates on higher bands down to 10% plus VAT above £1,000,000.

Is there a fee for bidding online at Chorley's?

Bidding through Chorley's Live has no additional charge. Bidding through the-saleroom adds a 6% fee including VAT.