Mellors & Kirk

Mellors and Kirk is one of the most prominent fine art and antiques auction houses in the English Midlands, offering a professional and approachable service from its Nottingham salerooms. Founded in 1993 by Nigel Kirk and Nicholas Mellors, the firm has built a strong reputation over three decades for quality cataloguing, specialist knowledge, and consistent results across a wide range of collecting categories. Based in Nottingham, a central location that is under two hours from London and well-connected to the rest of the Midlands, Mellors and Kirk occupies a strategic position in the UK auction market. The firm serves a broad catchment area that includes Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, Worcestershire, and Shropshire — a region rich in historic houses, private collections, and accumulated family wealth. The auction calendar is structured around two main types of sale. Quarterly Fine Art Sales bring together the best consignments of the season in curated, fully catalogued events that attract serious collectors and dealers from across the country. These sales typically feature fine art, antique furniture, silver, jewelry, ceramics, clocks, and decorative arts of notable quality and provenance. In between these marquee events, Mellors and Kirk conducts regular Antiques and Collectors' Sales, which offer a broader mix of material at more accessible price points, including jewelry, watches, books, militaria, ceramics, paintings, furniture, and vintage toys. The firm's specialist expertise spans several important categories. Fine Art is a core strength, with particular knowledge of British and European paintings from the seventeenth to the twentieth century. The Jewelry and Watches department handles everything from antique pieces and estate jewelry to modern luxury brands, consistently achieving competitive results. Silver and Metalwork, Furniture and Clocks, Ceramics and Glass, and Books and Manuscripts are all well-represented in the firm's sales. Mellors and Kirk has a notable media profile, with sales and valuation days featured on episodes of the BBC antiques program Flog It! This television exposure has raised the firm's profile among a wider public audience and reinforced its reputation as a trusted and knowledgeable valuation resource. For sellers, the consignment process is designed to be straightforward and accessible. Valuations are available at the Nottingham saleroom, at the firm's consignment office in Bridgnorth, Shropshire, or at the regular free valuation days held across the Midlands in Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Leicestershire, Staffordshire, Warwickshire, and Worcestershire. For larger collections or estates, Mellors and Kirk will arrange home visits. The specialist team provides estimates and advises on the most appropriate sale format. Commission rates are competitive and are discussed on a case-by-case basis. Buyers can participate in sales in person at the Nottingham saleroom, by telephone, by absentee bid, or through the firm's online bidding platform, which includes partnerships with the-saleroom.com and other major auction aggregators. A buyer's premium is charged on all purchases, with the current rate published in the conditions of sale for each auction. One of Mellors and Kirk's key strengths is the personal service that comes with a well-run independent firm. The founding partners and their team of specialists are accessible and knowledgeable, and the firm has a reputation for treating consignors and buyers with courtesy and care. This personal approach is valued by private sellers who may be unfamiliar with the auction process, as well as by experienced collectors who appreciate direct access to the specialists cataloguing their areas of interest. The Bridgnorth office extends the firm's reach westward into Shropshire and the Welsh borders, providing a convenient consignment and valuation point for sellers in that area. This two-location model allows Mellors and Kirk to serve a larger geographic region without the overhead of maintaining multiple full salerooms. The firm's catalogues and online presentation are thoroughly professional, with detailed lot descriptions, provenance information where available, and clear photography. This attention to cataloguing detail helps attract serious buyers and supports strong results at auction. The online bidding platform has expanded the firm's reach well beyond the Midlands, bringing national and international buyers into sales that might otherwise attract primarily regional interest. Mellors and Kirk has also developed a strong track record in handling complete estate sales and house clearances, a service that is invaluable for executors and families facing the task of disposing of a lifetime's accumulation. The firm's broad category coverage means that virtually all items in an estate can be handled under one roof, simplifying the process and maximizing overall returns. From fine art and antique furniture to jewelry, books, coins, and collectibles, the team can assess and sell the full range of property. The quarterly Fine Art sales are the highlight of the calendar, bringing together the best consignments in a prestige format that attracts the strongest bidding. These sales are well-publicized in the trade press and through online channels, ensuring broad exposure. Between these flagship events, the regular antiques and collectors' sales maintain momentum and provide sellers with frequent opportunities to bring property to market. For collectors, dealers, and private sellers in the Midlands and beyond, Mellors and Kirk offers an excellent combination of specialist knowledge, regular sale opportunities, and competitive terms. The firm's central location, growing online presence, and 30-year track record make it a reliable and rewarding auction house to work with, whether you are buying or selling fine art, antiques, jewelry, or specialist collectibles.