Saturday Success: A new chapter for Cheffins Interiors Sales

When we decided to introduce a Saturday Interiors Sale at Cheffins, it was in direct response to a clear and growing demand. Increasingly, we were hearing from younger buyers and busy professionals who loved the idea of buying at auction but simply couldn’t attend our traditional weekday sales.

So, we decided to give it a go, and hosted our first Saturday sale on 7^th February, which turned out to be a resounding success. The saleroom was buzzing, and what was particularly encouraging was the number of new faces. Around 25 per cent of buyers on the day were new to Cheffins, with many of them being auction first timers!

The Saturday Interiors Sale was designed to offer breadth, accessibility and value. With estimates ranging from £50 to £3,000, the auction included art, antiques, furniture, silver, ceramics, jewellery and a wide array of decorative and collectable items. We saw strong interest in traditional dining tables and desks consigned from local private houses, alongside early 20th-century paintings, rugs and silverware.

The highest price achieved on the day was £3,000 for a 19th-century French landscape, while at the other end of the spectrum there were some great value lots of glass and ceramics for under £100. We were careful to make sure we included items which would fit with all tastes and budgets, and the majority of people who came along spotted at least one or two items which were of interest.

A French landscape which achieved £3,000 at the Saturday Interiors Sale 

Over recent years, we have seen a marked increase in engagement from buyers in their twenties and thirties. Many are drawn by the sustainability credentials of buying second-hand pieces, as well as the craftsmanship and individuality that antiques offer. Auctions provide an opportunity to acquire well-made, characterful items with a history, often at prices that compare very favourably with buying new.

Founded in 1825, Cheffins has been holding fine art and antiques auctions since 1984, and we now host more than forty sales a year, alongside our quarterly Fine Sales and specialist auctions. The introduction of the Saturday Interiors Sale complements our established Thursday sales and reflects how the market is evolving. We are proud to adapt while maintaining the expertise and integrity that define our department.

The energy in the room on that first Saturday confirmed to me that auctions are no longer the preserve of seasoned collectors alone. There is a new generation discovering the thrill of the saleroom, and it is exciting to see.

I very much look forward to welcoming both new and established buyers to our next Saturday Interiors Sale on 6th June and to continuing this momentum into the year ahead.

To view the full calendar of sales at Cheffins, please click here