Harringtons auction house uncovers the unique

1972 Lambretta Motorcycle, P522,500

They first first conducted an auction—the way famous outfits like Christie’s and Sotheby’s conduct them—last April. Now, the second Harringtons lifestyle auction promises to have a wider assortment of items, from vintage crystal wine glasses, handcarved chest boxes and paintings by masters like Arturo Luz, to handcrafted Tibetan accessories, vintage Seiko watches and a fully restored  1972 Lambretta motorcycle with sidecar.

FRENCH style tea set with blue enameled porcelain P13,600

“There’s something for everyone,” guarantees corporate marketing Manager Cila Chua, who explains that there are items with estimated market prices as low as P2,700—shattering the impression that auctions are only for those with fat bank accounts.

“It’s really casual. People can come wearing shorts. We will have free flowing wine and food. It is open to the public, you can bring your family, there’s space for the kids to move about,” she says.

The informal vibe is something that they retained from the DNA of HMR Philippines, Harringtons’ parent company.

“It’s definitely not boring,” points out Chua.

For 20 years, HMR Philippines has imported and sold surplus items from Australia, New Zealand, and the US through its retail stores in Mandaluyong, Sucat, Cubao, Novaliches, Manila and Santa Rosa, Laguna. HMR also has auction houses in Sucat and Dau, Pampanga focused on the disposal of redundant assets for industrial and corporate clients.

CHANDELIER, Gabby Baredo circ. 1999

“Way before all the other auction houses opened here, we’ve been doing it,” Chua emphasizes.“We would auction anything. There are a lot of people who want to dispose items, offices and restaurants that close.”

However, the items they offer through Harringtons are different from what they have been auctioning off as HMR.

“Harringtons is a step up, that’s why we changed the name,” says Chua. “But not too high a step up.”

The aggregate value of all the items to be auctioned off by Harringtons is estimated to be more than P30 million, covering 240 to 250 lots. During their inaugural event last April, prices have gone up by as much as 40 percent from the starting bids.

“We have professional auctioneers who keep things exciting,” Chua describes. “When we invited the previous bidders to this coming auction, they said they will attend again and that they’ve told their whole family about it already, they’re very much excited to go because they got good deals from the previous auction and these are pieces that you really don’t see around.”

“It’s for avid collectors or anybody interested in finding something beautiful and unique, it’s perfect for those building a home or renovating their place,” she suggests.

Before someone can bid, a refundable bidder’s deposit of P5,000 is collected. “If you don’t end up winning anything, you get it back before you got out the door,” assures Chua.

ANTIQUE Teak chest from India P33,000

The auction is expected to run for six hours but bidders don’t have to stay throughout. The catalogue will have a schedule so bidders would know what time the items they’re eyeing will be auctioned off.  Those who cannot be at the venue physically can still participate through absentee bidding.

For its auctions, Harringtons hires an authenticator and valuator to go over all the items and assist them in inspecting and selecting pieces.

“We also have a stylist to help us fix the place. It was set up really nice,” she says of their previous event.“That was also one of the plus factors that we have, the consignors liked the way that the venue was set up, the items were displayed really well.”

Consignors are usually collectors or shop owners who want to unload their pieces. Chua admits that they had some difficulty inviting consignors during the first event.

TIBETAN necklace handcrafted with turquoise and coral in old Tibetan silver worth P3,600

“They didn’t know us, how can you trust someone you don’t know to auction your pieces? And we were coming from auctioning scrap,” she says.

Circumstances have changed since then. Word has gone around, this time Harringtons had to turn down some offers and save them for the next auction.

“The plan is to do this quarterly,” Chua points out. “We’re excited for this second one. It’s going to be bigger and better.”

Harringtons Lifestyle Auction will be held on Saturday, Aug. 2, 1:30 to 7:00 p.m. at the Rockwell Tent, Makati. Preview is on July 31 and Aug. 1 at 10:00 a.m. to 12 noon, and on Aug. 2, 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 noon.