In a city that is so defined by its history, antiques have always had a major presence in Bath’s shops and auction houses. Here we meet Lawrences Auctioneers in Crewkerne who are one of the UK’s major Fine Art Auctioneers, regularly holding sales that exceed over £1 million and with a team of specialists whose combined expertise covers 400 years in the industry.
Free valuations and home visits are offered throughout the West Country and beyond and the company oversee the entire auction process from the initial visit and valuation through to research, cataloguing, marketing and sale. Auction sales are marketed to a global network of collectors through various online auction platforms to ensure the best possible price.
The company was set up by Simon Lawrence around 50 years ago and was bought by Helen Carless in 1992, who ran Lawrences for 30 years. In 2022, when Helen retired, Lawrences was bought by Swedish company Auctionet.
Matthew Lacey is a senior valuer with 40 years’ experience as an Auctioneer and General Valuer for auction houses. He visits clients; looks at their treasures; gives the clients information; provides an estimate price; advises them on a reserve; and, when everything is agreed, puts the items into a suitable sale. The valuer’s role also deals with managing people’s expectations. “You might see a Chinese bowl and have established its potential value. However, on closer inspection it has a hairline crack, which can diminish the price dramatically,” says Matthew.
While online auctions are crucial to the way that Lawrences operate, people can still view the sale items ahead of the auction in the company’s Crewkerne saleroom. Online auctions, allowing buyers to view and bid online, take place every day with each online promotion lasting 6-10 days. Traditional hammer sales still take place for specialist areas including militaria, medals, coins and banknotes, pictures and furniture, silver, jewellery, clocks and rugs.
While 90% of the items seen by valuers are worth between £25 and £5000, they often encounter items that are worth far more. Matthew recalls a visit to a property in the New Forest. He walked in and saw a small pewter panel on an ebonised base. He told the homeowner that he thought it could be by the sculptor and letter-cutter Eric Gill. Research established this was the case and it sold at auction for around £40,000.
Many people sell items when clearing an estate after someone has died, or when downsizing. Because buyers’ tastes are constantly changing, the valuation process can bring both uplifting and disappointing results. A good example of an antique bureau twenty years ago might have achieved £800, Matthew explains, but now the same bureau might only achieve £100. “People live different lives today and many do not seek the Downton Abbey look where the whole house is dressed up in period furniture – they prefer to have one or two interesting pieces.”
Current trends for buyers include mid-century modern, named pieces and modern British art. Collectors also like small items such as novelty silver, spoons and 18th-century glass and ceramics because they are easy to store. Impractical pieces such as a teepoy (a three-legged stand holding a tea caddy) or a workbox do not sell well because they take up space but do not have a purpose.
For Matthew, who travels around constantly visiting people’s homes to value items, the rewards of his role are driven by the interesting people he meets. “I enjoy going to new properties because you never know what you are going to see. But it is about the people because everyone has a story. We can learn so much about the items from the owners’ recollections.”
Lawrences Auctioneers, The Linen Yard, South Street, Crewkerne, Somerset TA18 8AB; Tel: 01460 73041; lawrences.co.uk
To learn more about Bath’s best antique specialists and auctioneers, read the full article at thebathmagazine.co.uk