Established in 2012 by BBC antiques expert Catherine Southon, our focus is to provide a professional personable service tailored to your individual needs.
Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers comprises a small team who have earned an enviable reputation for selling interesting and high quality antiques, jewellery and collectables, often sourced from private local collections.
Catherine Southon BA MA, Director
Catherine has worked in the world of antiques for over 20 years. She began her career working at Sotheby’s Bond Street.
Initially responsible for cataloguing sales in the Collectors Department, Catherine soon became Head of Scientific Instruments and Maritime Works of Art, cataloguing a number of prestigious sales including The Time Museum sale in New York and London.
After working at Sotheby’s for 8 years, Catherine subsequently became a freelance valuer before establishing Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers. From 2003 onwards, Catherine has made regular appearances as an expert and presenter on a number of BBC Antiques programmes including ‘Bargain Hunt’, ‘Flog it!’, ‘Antiques Road Trip’, ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’, and ‘Trade Secrets’. Catherine has also contributed to a number of books including Judith Millers ‘Dictionary of Art and Antiques’. Catherine’s love is Modern British art and fine early silver. Her favourite item sold to date at our auctions is a pair of Victorian silver salts in the form of kangaroo’s which sold for a staggering £18,000. Excellent customer service is extremely important to Catherine, and she takes great care and pride in ensuring that all customers are happy with the service we provide.
Tom Blest, Cataloguer & Valuer
Tom joined the company in March 2019 as a general valuer.
Tom has worked as a general valuer and auctioneer for the past seven years and has a broad knowledge base. In particular he has a keen interest in silver, ceramics, glass and the decorative arts.
Tom achieved a record price of £35,000 for early Worcester early in his career and has also been responsible for the successful sale of a private collection of silver and William de Morgan vases for £38,000. His favourite find to date at Catherine Southon Auctioneers and Valuers is a South German bone and rosewood games board which he uncovered at a valuation day, and we subsequently sold for £30,000 (plus premium).
Prudence Hopkins FGA, DGA, Jewellery Cataloguer and Valuer (Maternity Leave)
Prudence joined the company in February 2020 as a jewellery cataloguer and valuer.
Prudence previously worked for some of the largest regional auction houses in the UK, having a good knowledge on most antiquities. Her area of expertise is jewellery,’Luxury Goods’ and textiles. Having passed with merit her Diploma in Gemmology and her Diploma in Diamonds, she is now a Fellow of British Gemmological Association and has a passion for period jewellery especially dating from the Art Deco and Edwardian period.
Previously having run several successful ‘Pre-owned luxury goods’ auctions, she is excited to bring this specialism to Catherine Southon Auctions. The trend for handbags, scarves and designer accessories is growing and she is looking forward to building these sale here at Catherine Southon Auctioneers. Since joining the company, her first three jewellery sales were a huge success. The most recent high value item being a stunning sapphire and diamond ring which sold for an incredible £18,000 in November!
Simon Spier, Junior Cataloguer
Simon spent the last year working for a London-based furniture dealer, and before that worked for a number of museums, including within the decorative arts department at Royal Collection Trust.
Simon maintains a strong interest in the history of the decorative arts and collecting, and he has also recently completed a doctorate in collaboration with The Bowes Museum, County Durham, which focused on the creation of John and Joséphine Bowes’ enormous collection of decorative arts in the second half of the nineteenth century.
Joining our team in February 2021, Simon has been part responsible for a single owner private collection of Roman Imperial and Greek Coins. His main interests lie in furniture, sculpture and decorative arts. Already a valuable member of our team we look forward to him making lots of exciting discoveries whilst he is with us!
Barbara Dixon, Consultant Valuer
Barbara has worked in the auction world for over 25 years.
Whilst having an excellent general knowledge, Barbara’s passion and main area of expertise lies with jewellery, pictures and Chinese Works of Art.
Barbara has been responsible for cataloguing and researching some of our most significant jewellery collections including The Mitchel Maer for Christian Dior Collection which sold for over £10,000, and for recently discovering a rare Hong Kong gold medal which we sold for £21,000. Barbara brings great experience and in-depth knowledge to our team.
Nicola Minney, Sale Administrator
Nicola has been with the company since the very beginning in April 2012.
She spent 15 years working for various Investment Companies within the City of London. She handles all the sale administration from start to finish and is happy to answer any queries you may have about the sale process.
Nicola also has an interest in Rock ’n’ Roll memorabilia and fashion and textiles. She assisted in cataloguing the fashion collection in our June 15 auction which sold for over £15,500 (plus premium).
