Specialist Knowledge

Between them, Chilcotts’ valuers have over ninety years’ experience working within the auction world. The diligence and expertise of the specialists, together with the Company’s professional operating practice, have been recognised within the industry – Chilcotts is a member of The Society of Fine Art Auctioneers (SOFAA). This means that our sellers can be assured that their items will be properly described, any attributions correctly made and appropriately valued.

Accessible Auctions

Auctions at Chilcotts are held at The Dolphin Salerooms, High Street Honiton. This 18thC former coaching inn has been recently renovated by Chilcotts and re-purposed to meet the needs of a modern Auction House. Historically and geographically at the centre of Honiton life, the prestigious 'Dolphin' is a perfect place for selling antiques and works of art. Items, including jewellery, silver and watches, can be viewed to their best advantage in the bright airy rooms, it is situated in the heart of Honiton - known as 'The Antiques Capital of the Southwest', which benefits from easy road and rail links. We take pride in ensuring that our Auctions are attractively and clearly displayed, the Sales are extremely well attended and have a lively atmosphere. There is pre-sale viewing for up to four days, including a late night, this, combined with a Saturday sale-day and live online bidding via UK's two foremost platforms, make our auctions accessible to as wide a market as possible and thus ensuring that we achieve good prices for our vendors.

Combining Modern and Traditional Methods

Chilcotts have always used current technology, complementing traditional methods to ensure that our service is user-friendly for our buyers: our online Auction Catalogues with images are fully ‘Mobile Optimised’, buyers can search by key word, enlarge lot images and scroll through the catalogue while the sale is in progress. This means that they can be viewed by potential bidders while they are out and about, using their telephones and tablets; they can also print off full catalogues, pages or individual lots of interest. Printed A4 catalogues are also available from the saleroom office.

Careful Marketing

We take care to properly market the items and collections that our clients consign for sale to guarantee that the best possible auction prices are achieved. Before the auctions we ensure that our vendors’ lots receive appropriate promotion – we inform interested dealers, use an international lot-alert service and send emails to our extensive mailing list. Our Auctions are promoted and advertised regionally, nationally and internationally.

Transport, House Clearance and Storage

Where possible, we will collect smaller consignments free of charge; transportation of larger consignments is chargeable against the auction proceeds. For clients needing the full house clearance service – this can be arranged; Click here for details. Chilcotts is able to store clients' items until a suitable sale.

Communication & Accounts

We listen to, and act according to your requirements. We will keep you informed throughout: at time of consignment we carefully explaining the process, including charges, then send you pre-sale confirmation and post-sale results; the vendor accounts are itemised – detailing each lot, and any charges. We aim to settle vendor accounts  twenty-eight days after the sale (as long as we have been paid by the buyer).

Other Services

Chilcotts is fully equipped to handle House Sales, other On-site Auctions and specialist sales of single Vendor collections.

Please contact us to discuss your requirements.