‘Best year yet’ for Honiton auctioneers

Chilcotts Auctioneers is starting 2023 on a high after sales soared last year.

During 2022, Chilcotts’ auctions saw an unprecedented rise in sales from 2019, the previous full year of trading pre-Covid, with figures showing an impressive increase of 50 per cent.

Auctioneer, Duncan Chilcott said: “It was our best year yet, and we have no doubt that this can be attributed to one main significant factor, our move to the Dolphin Saleroom in Honiton High Street.

“As well as having a smarter premises in which to display auction items and run our sales, the location has made us more visible to potential customers.”

The move also provided the opportunity to install the facilities required for running an auction house in the age of internet bidding, including ultra-high-speed broadband and an internal packing and posting department. It represents a major investment for the business, one which has paid off.

Duncan feels there has been a tangible step change in the items most sought after in the past few years. “We’ve seen a real move towards 20th century design, such as the lighter style Ercol furniture, plus more contemporary works of art, from paintings to ceramics and glass.” 

As an example, Chilcotts’ April auction included Heals Art Deco Furniture on the market for the first time since the 1930s and 40s, which achieved £13,400. In November, the Lawson Rudge Studio Collection of ceramics and pictures, many of which had never been seen before, fetched 30 per cent over the estimates supported by a strong marketing campaign that reached buyers far and wide.

“Good and period antiques continue to excite bidders, with buyers particularly seeking quality and unusual pieces,” Duncan explains. This was highlighted in Chilcotts’ most successful single sale in September which featured two historic pieces from Sand House - a 17th century carved sideboard and 18th century portrait, which both realised £15,000. In the same sale, 15 lots of Robert ‘Mouseman’ Thompson furniture dating from early to mid-20th century sold extremely well. Coincidentally consigned by five different vendors, the oldest pieces were most in demand, including a small stool which sold for £980.

“Jewellery, watches, gold coins and silver performed consistently well during the year, with continued growth in interest in classic mechanical watches, especially Omegas. It’s a fascinating, unexpected trend in what’s become a digital-focused society.”

In response to these developments, for 2023 Chilcotts has introduced quarterly standalone specialist sales of jewellery, watches, gold coins and silver with the first on March 11. ‘Good Antiques & 20th Century Design’ featuring furniture are scheduled every eight weeks whilst the biannual ‘Collectors Sales’, including medals, militaria, stamps, toys and models continues in the same format. Chilcotts is one of the few auction houses to hold sales on a Saturday –  useful for buyers as weekend auctions can be more convenient.

As a result of the growth in sales and changing needs of the business, Chilcotts has appointed a trainee furniture cataloguer to the team and introduced a new comms and social media role.

Liz Chilcott adds “Along with our people and our building, we’ve invested in our branding, including professional photography by Andrew Butler. He’s photographed of some of our collections such as Lawson Rudge’s ceramics and 1960s clothing from broadcast trailblazer Patricia Bernie. Andrew’s work also features on our new guides to buying and selling at auction.”

In addition to serving private customers from the wider South West including individuals downsizing their homes, the company works for other professional firms and has seen an increase in B2B business with solicitors and estate agents with professional valuations, such as for probate, up 63 per cent.