Sworders

About Sworders

Sworders is a fine art auction house based in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, less than an hour from central London. The firm describes itself as one of the most esteemed fine art auction houses in the UK, with an international reputation. It holds around 50 auctions a year and also has an office in Hertford and a gallery in central London.

The house is a useful option for collectors in the East of England and the London area who want a long-established regional saleroom with a broad specialist offer. Its sales run from single-owner collections and house sales to themed specialist auctions.

History

Sworders was established in 1782. Its forerunner started out in Bishop's Stortford, Hertfordshire, where the business began in agriculture and property sales before developing its fine art side. The firm later moved a few miles north across the county border to Stansted Mountfitchet, and in 2008 it moved into purpose-built auction rooms there.

That history of more than two centuries makes Sworders one of the older auction businesses in the region. Today the firm combines its traditional saleroom with a live online bidding platform and a separate site for timed online sales.

What Sworders sells

Sworders runs specialist departments covering most areas of the fine art and antiques market. Its departments include:

• British and European paintings
• Modern and contemporary art
• Fine furniture and works of art
• Asian art
• Jewellery
• Design and glass
• Fine wine and spirits
• Classic cars and automobilia

Alongside these specialist sales, the firm handles house sales and private collections, and runs themed auctions such as its Fine Interiors sale. Results for each auction are published on its website after the sale.

Buying and bidding

Buyers pay the hammer price plus a buyer's premium, which Sworders charges on a sliding scale. VAT is added to the premium at the standard rate, except on books. Different rates apply to some categories, as set out below.

• Standard rate: 27% on the first £20,000 of the hammer price, 25% from £20,001 to £500,000, and 20% above £500,000, all plus VAT
• Fine wine and spirits: 20% plus VAT
• Cars and motorcycles: 12.5% plus VAT

Online bidding is available through Sworders' own live platform, which carries audio and video feeds and charges no extra online bidding fee. Timed online-only auctions run on a separate Sworders timed site. For live sales, buyers can also place competitive bids before the auction and receive email updates on their bid status.

Condition reports and extra images can be requested from the auctions team by email. The firm notes that reports may take several days to prepare, so requests should be made well before the sale.

Location and viewing

The main saleroom is in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, which is where most auctions take place and where lots can be viewed ahead of each sale. Sworders also has an office in Hertford and a gallery in central London, both of which can be contacted for valuations and consignments. The Stansted location is convenient for buyers travelling from London, Cambridge and Hertfordshire.

Frequently Asked Questions

When was Sworders founded?

Sworders was established in 1782. Its forerunner began in Bishop's Stortford before the firm moved to Stansted Mountfitchet in Essex, where it opened purpose-built auction rooms in 2008.

What is the buyer's premium at Sworders?

The standard premium is 27% plus VAT on the first £20,000 of the hammer price, 25% plus VAT from £20,001 to £500,000, and 20% plus VAT above that. Fine wine and spirits carry 20% plus VAT, and cars and motorcycles 12.5% plus VAT.

Can I bid online at Sworders without paying extra?

Yes. Bidding through Sworders' own live platform carries no additional online bidding fee. Timed online-only sales are run on the firm's separate timed auction site.