Gorringes

About Gorringes

Gorringes is one of the most established auction houses in the south of England, with a history stretching back to the early 1920s and a reputation built on consistent quality, specialist knowledge, and the handling of distinguished private collections. Based in Lewes, the historic county town of East Sussex, the firm has grown from a local estate agency and auction business into one with a national and international following.

History

The business was founded by Rowland Gorringe, who opened offices in Lewes as an estate agent and auctioneer and held numerous sales in properties across Lewes and its environs. One early consignment put the firm on the map: Gorringe was instructed to sell the contents of Lewes House, the collection assembled by American art connoisseur Edward Percy Warren. The sale attracted international attention, including a notable collection of early furniture and works of art alongside Auguste Rodin's The Kiss (Le Baiser) and Lucas Cranach the Elder's The Portrayal of Adam and Eve.

In 1946, Gorringes moved to its current site at 15 North Street in Lewes, where it has remained ever since, retaining the character of a traditional English auction room. In 1994, the firm expanded further by acquiring Fryer's Auction Galleries in Bexhill-on-Sea, housed in former railway station premises that now serve as both an auction venue and a valuations and storage facility.

Specialist departments

Gorringes holds over 70 sales per year across a wide range of collecting categories. The core business covers antiques and fine art, including:

• Ceramics and works of art
• Silver and jewelry
• Furniture and pictures

The firm also conducts regular specialist sales of stamps, coins, medals, toys, books, automobilia, wine, and pop and film memorabilia. Twice a year, Gorringes holds its Connoisseur Auctions, dedicated sales bringing together the finest consignments of higher-value antiques, works of art, and pictures. The firm's experts have particular strength in English and Continental furniture, silver and jewelry, and fine art, and have handled notable consignments such as a collection of Jane Austen artifacts acquired by the Jane Austen House Museum in 2013.

Selling with Gorringes

Valuations are available at both the Lewes and Bexhill premises, by appointment, or through online submission; for larger collections or estate clearances, the team will visit the property. Gorringes handles all aspects of the sale, including cataloguing, photography, marketing, and post-sale settlement, with commission rates discussed at the time of consignment. The firm also offers ancillary services including insurance valuations, probate valuations, and advisory services for executors and trustees.

Buying and bidding

Buyers can participate in person at either saleroom, by telephone, by absentee bid, or through the firm's online bidding platforms, which partner with major online auction platforms to extend sales to a global audience. A buyer's premium is charged on all lots, at a rate published with each sale's conditions. Gorringes' location in Lewes, long a center for the Sussex antiques trade, draws regular attendance from local and regional dealers as well as private buyers from further afield, while the firm's expanded online presence has broadened the buyer base across the UK and internationally.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where is Gorringes based?

Gorringes is based in Lewes, East Sussex, at 15 North Street, with a second saleroom in Bexhill-on-Sea acquired with Fryer's Auction Galleries in 1994.

What notable items has Gorringes sold?

Early in its history Gorringes sold the Lewes House collection of Edward Percy Warren, which included Auguste Rodin's The Kiss and Lucas Cranach the Elder's The Portrayal of Adam and Eve. More recently it handled Jane Austen artifacts acquired by the Jane Austen House Museum in 2013.

How many sales does Gorringes hold each year?

Gorringes holds over 70 sales per year, including twice-yearly Connoisseur Auctions alongside specialist sales in categories such as stamps, coins, toys, and wine.