From Italian old Masters to exquisite jewellery and vintage cars – London’s auction houses are renowned throughout the world as a place to find the most desirable antiques and collectibles.
It is a reputation that has been gained through sheer experience as many of the auction houses first began trading over two hundred years ago. Sotheby’s began trading in 1744 from its Bond Street base and has become the largest fine art auction house in the world. Items sold at auction in Sotheby’s include rare diamonds costing millions and art works by Pablo Picasso.
Bonhams is another Bond Street auction house dating back to the eighteenth century. You can book a stay at any of the affordable Aparthotels London and take a look at its regular auction list to find decorative art, antiquities and even vintage cars! It is well known for its high profile car auctions dealing with the likes of Maserati and Aston Martin.
Book your stay at the Presidential Apartments Kensington and explore Christie’s, which is based in King Street, near Green Park. Christies are one of the world’s leading art auctioneers holding regular sales of impressionist, modern and contemporary art. Other items often sold here include photography and jewelry.
Travelers staying in the lovely Aparthotels in Kensington can find out when sales are being held by taking a look at their websites. These usually indicate when public viewing days are being held, so that you can go and see the items on sale before the day of the auction. The ultimate prices reached at many of the auctions can reach millions of pounds.
Although these auction houses are by far the best known, they are not the only ones to be found in London. There are several other places which provide opportunities to buy art and collectibles at prices ranging from a few pounds to several thousand pounds on a weekly basis. Every auction is unique, selling a vast range of items within a few hours. The auctions can include everything from vintage costume jewelry and clothing to toys, books and prints, as well as ceramics, glassware and silverware. Sometimes there may be only one or two people bidding, other times it can involve online bids as well as people in the room. The auctioneers always give an indication in their catalogues as to the potential price range – but this can have no resemblance to what is actually paid on the day.
So where can you find these smaller auction houses? In West London the best places to go are Lots Road Auctions in Chelsea, High Road Auctions in Chiswick and Twickenham and Criterion in Wandsworth. Criterion also has an auction house in islington. Alternatively head down to West Norwood in South London to Rosebery’s, which holds a monthly picture auction in addition to general sales each week.
