Dates

• Existence: Established 2009

Biography

Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood was formed in January 2009 when Bearnes and Hampton & Littlewood merged to form the largest fine art auction house in the South West of England.

The firm is based in Exeter and covers Devon, Cornwall, Somerset and Dorset.

The firm's history stretches back to 1945 when Arthur Bearne established auction rooms in Torquay, which were expanded by his son Brian. The firm realised its first auction record in 1963 when it sold a Spode dinner service from Saltram House on behalf of The National Trust for £3,400.

Bearne's subsequently identified other important works of art including an unrecorded Hogarth portrait, which sold in 1967 for £24,000. In 1968, after extensive research, an Hawaiian wood bowl brought back to England from Captain Cook's third voyage and originally in the collection of Sir Ashton Lever, realised £15,000, which was a world record at that time for any item of ethnological art.

In 1976, Bearne's formed a close association with Sotheby's and in 1977 became part of the London company and operated from Rainbow, an imposing mansion overlooking Torbay. The Torquay business operated under the name of Sotheby Bearne until 1982 when, following a reorganisation throughout Sotheby's worldwide, a partnership was formed to re-acquire and continue the business.

In 1997, in order to develop the business further, Bearne's relocated to Exeter, Devon's capital city. The salerooms at St Edmund's Court in Okehampton Street were purpose built and have proved to be an ideal location from which to expand.

Christopher Hampton and Rachel Littlewood established Hampton & Littlewood in 2001, specialising in antiquarian books, maritime and sporting sales.

Bearnes Hampton & Littlewood is also a founding member of the Society of Fine Art Auctioneers (SOFAA).