Welcoming James Flower to Sworders

^{James Flower - Valuer | Sworders Hertford} 

James started working in the auction industry in his early 20s and since then has never looked back. After studying Journalism at Southampton, he found himself pursuing a career in art and antiques in the West Country, working for a major regional auction house as a Saleroom Manager and Valuer. There, James developed his knowledge of art and objects, as well as undertaking probate and insurance valuations.

After expanding his interest in pictures, he relocated to London and worked for Bonhams for over 5 years. As well as working in the Prints & Multiples department, James would later become a key member of the company’s principal Modern British & Irish Art department, having a significant involvement in some of the department’s most successful sales to date.

Looking to further enhance his experience, he now joins Sworders as a Valuer, applying his broad knowledge of art, antiques, and collectables, to source consignments from the Hertford office.

Let's get to know him...

What first attracted you to fine art and antiques?

I was always intrigued and attracted to art and visual design from an early age, and was brought up around a lot of art, antiques and design in London and the West Country. This led to working in a busy West Country auction house for 5 years, sifting through the Aladdin’s cave of items and gaining a broad experience working across multiple departments. After this, I worked for Bonhams for 6 years and was a key member in the principal Modern British Art department on New Bond Street where I worked on some of the departments biggest and most successful sales, including the sale of an early 1920s alabaster mask by Henry Moore which sold for £3,300,000.

What has been your most exciting find to date?

An early and ‘gem-like’ painting by the British surrealist, John Tunnard, from 1940. It came from a lady who was gifted the work and didn’t have great expectations for it. I was absolutely delighted to see it achieve £50,000 against an estimate of £10,000-15,000. It was a highly desirable and beautiful work by a wonderful and important artist.

Is there an area that you are especially passionate about?

I have always been a lover of Modern British and Post-War art. The range and quality of some of Britain’s now household names such as Ben Nicholson, Barbara Hepworth and Henry Moore are up there with the very best. I also love most work by School of London artists in Francis Bacon, Lucien Freud, Frank Auerbach and David Hockney, for all their morbid, enlightening, exciting and beautiful perspectives respectively!

Tell us an interesting fact about yourself

Whilst I’ve been a lifelong Chelsea FC fan, which most who know me will tell you, if you dig deep enough there are a few pictures of me as a young lad knocking around in a Manchester United shirt, I am ashamed to say!

If you could jump on a flight to anywhere in the world, where would you go?

For me, it would have to be Japan. The richness of the culture and the sheer variety in the landscape of the country, not to mention the food, has always enticed me greatly. Although I’m obliged to now say Spain, to go and meet my partners family, who I am yet to meet. Maybe a Spain/Japan hybrid could be on the cards for 2022…

To discuss valuations and consignments with James, please contact - 

T 01992 583508
E jamesflower@sworder.co.uk