For once TV auctioneer Charles Hanson isn’t just selling art, he has created it.
The star of Bargain Hunt, Flog It! and Antiques Road Trip has picked up a paintbrush to decorate a giant gavel for charity.
Hansons is one of a number of auction houses taking part in the Gavel Art Trail which seesdozens of decorated hammers on display around the UK.
The golden gavel will be on show at Hansons’ Derbyshire saleroom in Etwall until October 31 before the charity auction on November 6.
It is hoped the gavels, each a metre long and weighing 10kg, will raise up to £100,000 for three charities – the Brain Tumour Charity, National Brain Appeal and International Children’s Palliative Care Network (ICPCN).
Charles Hanson said: “It has been a real honour to support such worthy causes alongside our colleagues in the auction world. Nothing is as indicative of our business as a gavel and I’m proud to have played a part in this initiative that blends art, community and charity. I can’t wait to share my painting journey with you and to see all the finished gavels come together at the auction in London later this year.”
The trail brings together 15 auction houses from across the UK, each sponsoring and decorating a metre-long supersized gavel – the ultimate symbol of the auction world.
The nationwide charity initiative is organised by the Bidpath Foundation in partnership with Wild in Art.
Bidpath, which provides software for auction houses, launched the charitable scheme after a colleague, George Wade, was diagnosed with a double brain tumour in 2024.
David Brindley, CEO of Bidpath, said: “The initiative highlights the power of the auction community to make a difference beyond the saleroom. Auctioneers have always been at the heart of their communities, and this project celebrates that role, uniting our industry behind a shared purpose.”
To learn more or bid on a gavel
