Chilcotts Auctioneers has seen runaway success with specialist category auctions since their introduction in March 2023.

The decision to focus on specific categories has led to great sales and top prices, a considerable achievement for a regionally-based auction house.

Not only have the specialist auctions benefitted Chilcotts, but they have also proven advantageous for both vendors and buyers.

Customers have praised the professionalism provided by the auction house.

Much of the credit for this belongs to the senior valuer and cataloguer, Jennifer Bell and marketing assistant, Courtney Round.

Their work on detailed, accurate descriptions and sharp, clear photography respectively is highly regarded.

Elizabeth Chilcott said: "This attention to detail allows buyers to feel much more confident in making bids based on what they see in our online catalogue.

"Consequently, we’re attracting additional national professional buyers as well as our more regular local buyers; for our sellers, this means their items are going under the hammer for really high prices."

The successes have been the quarterly standalone specialist sales of jewellery, watches, coins, and silver.

Recent high sales include a dazzling Murrle Bennett Art Nouveau pendant which fetched an online bid of £4,600, and a vintage 1866 Hong Kong Dollar an impressive £7,260 - the top price this coin has ever achieved in a provincial saleroom.

Other notable sales are a Blancpain stainless steel Fifty Fathoms Flyback Dive Watch which raised £5,800 and an exquisite 18ct yellow gold and diamond multi-strand Cartier necklace fetching £9,900.

Ms Chilcott said: "The other change we’ve seen with these specialist auctions is a high sell-through rate."

"This means there’s little that doesn’t reach or better its reserve price, so the vast majority of auction lots are being sold.

"We even had a spectacular, rare ‘white glove’ sale in March this year, where all 535 lots were sold."

The next specialist sale is scheduled for December 7, with Ms Chilcott suggesting it’s an excellent opportunity for those looking to sell jewellery, watches, gold coins, and silver.

She added that the nearest auction to Christmas always does well, with people looking to buy "unusual gifts" for loved ones.

In addition to the specialist sales, Chilcotts holds Fine Art, Good Antiques & 20th Century Design sales every eight weeks and twice-yearly Collectors Sales, featuring medals, militaria, stamps, toys, and models.