Dore & Rees

Dore & Rees is a departmental auction house in Frome, Somerset, organised the way the traditional London houses are: separate specialists for Asian art, jewellery, silver, pictures, interiors and motoring, each with its own sale calendar. The results give a sense of the ceiling — an Anglo-Norman parcel-gilt silver censer pinnacle from around 1150 sold for £67,600, and a Celso Lagar harbour scene for £11,180.

What you can buy

• Asian art, including named collections such as the Jian Jun Xi collection of Chinese export porcelain.
• Fine jewellery, watches and objects.
• Silver, up to museum-grade early pieces.
• Pictures.
• Interiors and the "Curious and Collectable" sales.
• Classic cars — an Aston Martin DB MkIII coupé carried a £150,000–£200,000 estimate at a recent motoring sale.

How the bidding works

Sales are scheduled by department with published catalogues and estimates, and results are posted afterwards. The motoring department stages sales at events rather than only in the room — the Castle Combe Autumn Classic and the Concours des Légendes at Wilton House both appear on the calendar, which means viewing happens at the venue on the day. The house also handles valuations, private sales and whole collections.

What to check before you bid

Departmental houses set condition expectations by department: a picture or a piece of silver comes with a condition report on request, while an interiors lot is sold much more briskly. Ask for the report rather than assuming the catalogue covers it. For motoring lots sold at an event, viewing time is short and the car has usually travelled to get there — inspect before the sale starts, not during.