Antique Special

That unloved chair or vase could be worth a fortune, so we asked a leading auctioneer how to identify and sell your hidden treasures

Bonhams auction house is renowned for its sales of high-profile single-owner collections and prestigious houses. Since joining the company in 2002, Charlie Thomas, now the UK group director for house sales and private and iconic collections, has been involved with many of them.
Stand-out sales at Bonhams over the past 15 years include the auction of the contents of Lord Glenconner's property in St Lucia in 2011, the contents of Trelissick House, near Truro, in 2013, and items from the designer Nicky Haslam's hunting lodge in 2019. Notable recent successes include the auction of the Personal Collection of Sir Michael Caine in 2022.
Thomas's area of expertise is 18th- and 19th-century English and Continental furniture, with a particular focus on 18th-century vernacular pieces - items made for everyday domestic purposes. He says that even if you don't live in a palace or castle, you might still be surprised by what is hiding in your attic. We asked Thomas what the most common queries are about antiques, and what we should look out for in our own homes.

What makes a piece of furniture or work of art valuable at auction?
There are several things that determine an item's value: condition, originality, rarity and provenance will all be considered by an auctioneer when estimating the value of an object. However, auctioneers can only estimate the value - it is ultimately the bidders who decide the market value on the day of the sale. The job of the auctioneer is ensure the item is presented in the most desirable way, that it has been properly researched and catalogued and exposed to as many people as possible.

Are there any styles or periods that are currently in high demand?
High-quality mid-18th-century furniture remains very desirable, but vernacular furniture is also very popular. Buyers are attracted to its simple lines, functionality and appealing finishes, whether waxed and mellowed over time or painted. Originality is something buyers particularly look for in this style.


What are the key factors that determine whether a piece is suitable for auction?
Pretty much anything can be sold at auction - we have been championing the circular economy since 1793! Choosing the right auction for the right object is key, but whether it's second-hand agricultural machinery or a priceless Old Master painting, there is an auction house out there!

Can you share a recent example of a piece exceeding expectations?
In my world it's not unusual for items to exceed their estimates. This is because buyers are drawn to the story behind the object, or the previous owner, as much as they are to the item they are bidding on. One example is Sir Michael Caine's gold Rolex watch, which we sold as part of his collection in 2022. The estimate was £8,000-£12,000, but after a fierce battle between bidders in the room, on the telephones and over the internet, the hammer came down at £100,000.

How complicated is the process for getting an item valued?
The easiest first step is to send a photograph of the item to sell.bonhams.com. This will be forwarded to one of our 60 specialist departments. If we need to have a closer look we can come and visit you. Bonhams is unique in not only having an international network of salerooms and offices, but a regional network in the UK. From Truro to Edinburgh, there is a Bonhams local to you.

There seem to be more and more online auctions. Do you think buyers feel as confident buying virtually as in person?
Covid changed the auction world, and the biggest change was the adoption of digital auctions. With the doors to our salerooms closed, we embraced this early on, moving sales online. The pandemic might be over, but online sales have become a very important part of our business, with about 50% of sales now being held online.
There are lot of advantages to online sales, the most obvious being convenience - you can bid easily at any auction, from anywhere in the world, at any time. You also don't need to follow the whole sale - which can sometimes take a few hours - because if your bid does not succeed you will be notified.

Do you see a new generation of buyers coming through? If so, what do you think is driving them to at auction?
The spread of social media has had a big effect. Younger buyers see the Instagram accounts of interior decorators celebrating antiques and realise how wonderfully old furniture can enhance a modern interior. Antique furniture is practical as well as beautiful, might have a fascinating history and is forgiving to minor damage. I also think sustainability and recycling is a hugely important to the current generation - and there isn't anything more sustainable than a George III table!

What advice would you give to someone considering selling a piece at auction?
It doesn't cost anything to get an estimate, and valuations are completely confidential. Even if you don't sell the item it's fascinating to find out how old it is, who made it and where it came from. And you never know: that vase which has been sitting on the kitchen windowsill for years might be an 18th- century Chinese one worth a quarter of a million pounds - it does happen!

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