Tennants

Tennants sells from a purpose-built auction centre at Leyburn in North Yorkshire — a saleroom with its own galleries, exhibition space and café, which tells you something about how much of its business is people coming to view in person. The calendar mixes general sales with specialist departments.

What you can buy

• Pictures — British and European paintings, prints and watercolours.
• Antiques and furniture, including country house contents.
• Jewellery, silver and watches.
• Militaria and collectibles.
• Books, ceramics and works of art.

How the bidding works

Sales are catalogued room auctions with live online bidding, commission bids and telephone bidding. Viewing days are published for each sale and the centre is set up for them. Valuations for sellers run alongside, including probate and insurance work, which is where much of the stock originates.

What to check before you bid

Regional British salerooms are where furniture and country house contents sell below London levels — the trade-off is collection from rural North Yorkshire, so price the transport before deciding you have found a bargain. Read the condition report rather than the catalogue photograph on furniture and ceramics, since restoration is common and disclosed in the text. Collection deadlines at a busy centre are enforced and storage charges follow.