Sworders

Sworders are an auction house based in Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex. They have a history dating back to 1782 when their Bishop’s Stortford-based forerunner started out in agriculture and property sales.

In 2008 Sworders moved to new purpose-built auction rooms and they also maintain a valuation office in Hertford.

The firm stages regular sales of antiques and collectables as well as other specialist events including dedicated modern art and design auctions and quarterly Country House sales.


Portrait of Henry Pelham

Descendant consigns two prime minister portraits to Essex auction

08 May 2026

Portraits of the third and fourth prime ministers of Great Britain are among the highlights of a fine collection of British portraiture that comes for sale at Sworders on May 19.

Richard Burton books

Personal library of a pioneering British scholar of Armenian and Iranian studies comes to auction

28 April 2026

Volumes from the personal library of a pioneering British scholar of Armenian and Iranian studies form part of Sworders’ latest Books and Maps auction.

Florence Nightingale letter

Florence Nightingale opines on the first Geneva Convention

17 April 2026

A letter written by Florence Nightingale in which she discusses the creation of the Red Cross and the Geneva Convention is being sold by Sworders.

Michael Rand at home with family

Collection from former art editor and director of The Sunday Times Magazine comes to auction

26 March 2026

Part of the private art collection of Michael Rand (1929-2025), the art editor and director of The Sunday Times Magazine, will be offered at Sworders.

Beatrice Campi.

Beatrice Campi joins Essex saleroom Sworders

20 March 2026

Indian and Islamic Art specialist Beatrice Campi has joined auction house Sworders of Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex.

Movers

New faces at Sworders and Gorringe's and a promotion at Woolley & Wallis

18 March 2026

The latest Movers & Shakers from around the world of art and antiques

Jade Jagger

Designer and former model Jade Jagger auctions items from her Georgian home in Gloucestershire

16 March 2026

British jewellery and interior designer Jade Jagger, the daughter of Rolling Stones lead singer Mick Jagger and his former wife Bianca, is selling works from her collection at Sworders.

Village School by Robert Tavener

Kent County Council offloads further artworks at auction

26 February 2026

Auction house Sworders is selling a second tranche of artworks consigned by Kent County Council.

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A career of ‘educated gambling’

30 January 2026

Veteran dealer Peter Petrou looks back on five decades in the trade ahead of an auction of items from his collection

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Richardson's view of St Paul’s inspired by Canaletto doubles estimate at Sworders

08 December 2025

If this view of London by William Richardson (1814-99) looks as if St Paul’s Cathedral has been magically transported to the mouth of the Grand Canal in Venice, that might not be too surprising.

2720 AB Crick Diaries

On a winner in the saleroom with lots relating to Nobel Prizes

24 November 2025

A group of manuscripts that featured letters from 12 Nobel Prize-winning scientists was offered as part of Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) Books and Maps timed online sale ending on November 2.

Volvo

Rare Volvo estate – the archetypal antiques dealer’s car – comes to auction

31 October 2025

An exceptional example of the Volvo estate – the archetypal antiques dealer’s car – comes for sale at Sworders this month.

Edward Bawden's Sunday Times print

Great Bardfield property yields appealing group of modern prints to Sworders sale

13 October 2025

A single owner collection from a house in Great Bardfield, Essex provided a number of good quality prints to Sworders’ (25% buyer’s premium) latest sale of Modern and Contemporary art.

The Georgian Group's HQ

Consignment call for charity auction to raise funds for Georgian heritage conservation

09 October 2025

The Georgian Group has teamed up with Sworders Fine Art Auctioneers for a special fundraising auction.

Francis Crick diaries

DNA pioneer Francis Crick’s diaries emerge at Essex auction

26 September 2025

Diaries written by Francis Crick (1916-2004), the English molecular biologist who played a crucial role in deciphering the helical structure of the DNA molecule, come for sale at Essex firm Sworders this autumn.

Gladiateur Mourant sculpture

After the antique: Three sculptures inspired by ancient works bringing demand at auction

19 September 2025

A number of high prices for works modelled on or inspired by ancient sculpture have been recorded at different auctions this month.

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Frink mosaic stands out in Ken Bolan sale

08 September 2025

Ken Bolan, the retired King’s Road, Chelsea, dealer, is having a second post-retirement auction.

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Shackleton and Buffalo Bill show how name association will boost watch value

01 September 2025

A simple Edwardian open face silver pocket watch used on the Trans-Antarctic Expedition sold for £2600 at Kinghams (26% buyer’s premium) in Moreton-in-Marsh.

Livingstone’s coffin attended by his African servant Jacob Wainwright

Faithful servant of Dr Livingstone in focus at Essex auction

11 August 2025

A rare photograph from the funeral of Victorian explorer Dr David Livingstone (1813-73) comes to auction in Essex this summer.

Chris Gollon artwork

Sworders to host first London selling exhibition at its Cecil Court gallery

05 August 2025

Sworders’ London gallery at 15 Cecil Court is to host its first selling show this month.

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