About Us
Established in 1825, Cheffins initially specialised in land agency and auction sales of cattle and chattels in and around Saffron Walden. In the latter part of the 19th century Henry Joshua Cheffins (pictured) expanded the business and gained the sales of many important estates and their contents. The custom was to sell the land, livestock, house and contents onsite, as the pictured advertisement for The Old Rectory at Littlebury shows. Cheffins continued to sell the contents of estates, on site, in this way for much of the 20th century.
In the 1970s there was a move to diversify the business; there had been a decline in the trade of cattle via auction since the end of the Second World War which eventually led to the closing of Cheffins’ cattle markets at Ely and Saffron Walden in the early 1980s and in Cambridge in the early 1990s. Partners were thereby persuaded that a move towards the growing consumer demand for antiques would be profitable.
In 1982 the first Fine Art salerooms were opened under the auspices of Chairman Paul Gooderham, who was keen to establish a serious footing in the art market. There were general monthly sales (pictured) and a quarterly better quality sale.
The department grew as specialists joined and by the early 1990s a number of specialist sales had also been added to the calendar. A good Victoriana sale was always popular due to the revival of Victorian-style design which was adopted by interior designers of the time. In addition regular dealers purchased quantities of the now less popular ‘brown furniture.’ The types of sale have changed in line with market demand and the change in taste and trend over the years and the Fine Art Department has continued to grow as it has met these market needs.
The Fine Art Team (pictured)
Today, the Fine Art Department holds some 25 sales a year over a diverse range of specialities. With numerous valuers, some with over 30 years experience in the auction business, Cheffins Fine Art prides itself on having excellent knowledge, research skills and experience.
Our Sales
The Decorative Interiors Sale has replaced the general monthly sales and is now held three weekly. It still offers a wide range of good quality furniture from Georgian to modern and a wide array of collectable items, pictures, jewellery, silver, glass and ceramics.
The Fine Art Sale is held quarterly and includes the best quality range of antiques from ceramics, glass, silver, jewellery, 20th century design, drawings, watercolours, prints, clocks, barometers, furniture, rugs and works of art. These sales often also include the contents of an estate, country house or single owner collection.
The tri-annual Specialist Books, Maps and Prints Sale offers a good selection of all kinds of books, antiquarian maps, antiquarian and modern prints, photographs, ephemera and manuscripts.
The bi-annual Sporting Sale offers a wide variety of sporting prints, guns, taxidermy, ephemera and fishing equipment.
The annual Wine Sale includes a good selection of fine and drinking wines from private cellars including French, Italian, Spanish, New World, Ports & Madeiras.
For more information about our sales please view the Auction Calendar.
Opening Hours
The Fine Art Department is open Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm without a break for lunch. Drop in anytime or give us a call to make a more formal appointment.
Viewing Times
Every sale is on view prior to the sale day. Times and days vary from sale to sale, please have a look at individual sales or call the saleroom for more information.
