Meet The Specialist

What is your current position at Bonhams?

I am the Regional Manager for Yorkshire and the North East of England, based in Bowcliffe Hall, near Leeds.  This covers a huge area including North Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Lincolnshire, Humberside and, of course, Yorkshire and the North East.  

I spend my time visiting clients, valuing and consigning items for auction, as well as providing both insurance and probate valuations. I am also thrilled to be an auctioneer for Bonhams, taking all sale disciplines in London, and leading our Motorcycle sales in Stafford, whilst I also delight in selling the Bonhams Car auctions in both the UK and USA.

Where are you from? And what inspired you to go into the art world?

I was born and raised in the Malvern Hills. My parents ran a graphic design agency from the ground floor of our family home, so art and design was a huge part of my life and upbringing. I was always interested in the arts, and after my degree at Nottingham University in Art History, I was awarded a scholarship by Sotheby’s Institute in London, where I took a Master’s Degree in Fine & Decorative Art. From the very first auction we attended in class, I was hooked. I was - and still am - completely sold on the drama and excitement of it all.

"If you buy what you love, you will enjoy the entire process of researching and collecting objects."

What was your first job?

For my first job, I worked for an Independent Art Advisor who had completed the Sotheby’s Master’s programme 15 years previously. She had a fantastic array of VIP collectors for whom she sourced paintings, sculpture, and any works of art that they would love. My role was to research artworks coming up for sale at auction. I produced reports detailing their importance in the art market, their cultural relevance and whether they would suit the buyer’s established collection. We used this data to determine and advise how much to bid on the day. It was a fantastic first job into a very enticing art world.

 Name one of your triumphs.

I am a keen auctioneer and since joining Bonhams, I am proud to have been the first woman auctioneer to take the Stafford Classic Motorcycle Auction. Not only this, but we continue to  achieve world record prices in this department year after year, most notably for me, my first sale saw a 1973 MV Agusta 750GT, which previously belonged to the late German film critic Hans Schifferle, estimated at £40,000 - 50,000, sell for a fantastic £126,500 - over triple its low estimate.

Similarly, in 2024, I became the first female auctioneer in Bonhams’ history to wield my gavel for our esteemed and prolific car auctions. I was honoured to conduct the Audrain Concours Auction in Newport, Rhode Island, selling a 1957 Mercedes-Benz 300SL Roadster for an outstanding $1,160,000.

Email briony.harford@bonhams.com to arrange a complimentary and confidential valuation, or visit sell.bonhams.com to find your nearest expert.

What advice would you give to someone starting their collecting journey?

My best advice would be to buy what you love. Sadly, none of us have a crystal ball to foresee what treasures will stand the test of time and what will grow in value. If you buy what you love, you will enjoy the entire process of researching and collecting the objects – and sharing that knowledge with other likeminded individuals – it can be a wonderful experience and open up a whole world of fantastic opportunities and communities.

What do you personally collect?

I am a bit of a magpie! I am attracted to anything shiny – I collect antique jewellery and antique silver personally. I am also known to buy bronzes. My favourite being a sweet little Japanese 19^th Century crab that I bought from an antiques fair – no bigger than 2 inches squared but he sits on my sideboard and gets a lucky pat on the head most mornings!

What has been the highlight of your career to date?

I feel incredibly lucky to do the job that I do! I am fortunate enough to live in a beautiful part of the world where I could not ask for more delightful clients. My love of people and objects is why I do it, because it is so rewarding to help others realise the value in their collections and I love to learn the stories behind every single purchase or heirloom.

A highlight that stands out for me is a wonderful example of the kindness I have received from my clients since moving up here – a lovely couple in their 80s who I helped sell some items, lived nearby to the house I had just moved into. They knew I had relocated to the area alone with all of my friends and family being down south, so they very kindly insisted on helping me move my items in and climb up ladders to hang my paintings on the walls! The generosity and warmth shown by these lovely clients that became friends was heartwarming for me – what could be a better highlight than the kindness received, and relationships nurtured, that my career has afforded me?    

"It's so rewarding to help others realise the value in their collections..."

Which work of art has changed your life?

Many years ago, in a previous job, I had been called to visit a property that had been left derelict for a number of years after the owner had passed away. The house was full of clutter and after an hour or two sorting out the contents, I concluded that sadly there was nothing of note. As I went to leave through the front door, however, I noticed a threadbare jewellery box hidden under a pile of old newspapers. At the bottom of the box, underneath a heap of costume jewellery, was a beautiful old European-cut diamond in a Victorian ring. The diamond was over 3 carats in size and had wonderful lustre: it was mesmerising. I realised at that very moment never to assume, and to always search in every nook and cranny.