fine arts

 

Ward & Chowen have been holding sales of fine art and antiques ever since the company was founded in 1830. As leading auctioneers in Devon and Cornwall, the majority of our auction sales used to be held in large country houses where entire clearance sales were organised, usually following the sale of the property.

In the 1950s our auction operation moved into town centre premises situated just behind the historic Pannier Market in the centre of Tavistock.

We now hold our auctions in the historic former meat market, adjacent to the Pannier Market in the centre of the town.

 

Auctions are the best way of marketing unwanted goods, the principal reason being to achieve the highest possible market price. Good publicity, national advertising and competitive bidding in a properly organised auction room often result in prices exceeding pre sale estimates and guide prices. This is not possible with a private sale.

 

Yes a commission is payable, but by being a percentage of the sale price it remains in everyone’s interests to try and achieve the highest possible price.