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 jewellery 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, Auctioneer and 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).
Stephanie Connell, Auctioneer and Valuer
Stephanie has worked within the fine art sales industry for almost 20 years. Her career began as a General Value and Auctioneer in the north west of England.
In 2006, Stephanie moved to Bonhams Auctioneers, London, initially in the Entertainment Memorabilia department, eventually becoming Head of Department and Director of Collectors Sales. In 2014, Stephanie established herself as a consultant valuer and dealer in antique and vintage pieces. Highlights from her career include; the Eric Clapton Sale of Guitars & Amplifiers and Doctor Who – The Auction on behalf of the BBC.
Stephanie has appeared as an expert on television programmes including Bargain Hunt, Antiques Roadshow and Antiques Road Trip. Stephanie’s main areas of interest are late 19th and 20th century design, collectables, paintings and prints.
Hans Pugh, Auctioneer and Valuer
Hans has joined the team in August 2022 as a valuer and auctioneer, with a wealth of knowledge across many different areas.
Hans grew up surrounded by antiques as his father was an antique dealer. He started his own career with Sotheby’s in 1994, working in Bond Street galleries and then spending a year in Baden Baden working on the worlds biggest house sale. In 1996 he started as a furniture and works of art expert at Sotheby’s Sussex and then later at Sotheby’s Olympia, London, where he specialised in early oak and country furniture and oversaw the £2million Clive Sherwood Collection. In 2000 he qualified to the fine art division of Chartered Surveyors. Hans has also worked for Lyon and Turnbull and Freemans in Philadelphia.
Jo-Anne Barber, Office Manager/Administrator
Starting at Sothebys in 1981 – many years before the internet was invented and when invoices were issued at the rostrum Joanne has always remained in the Accounts, Computer Development and Operations side of the Auction House, travelling internationally to support auctions, Pre & Post sales departments and system development projects – kept her very busy.
In 2003 Joanne moved to America and worked for Bonhams, heading up various departments including the Client Services in San Francisco & Los Angeles and then assisted in the Bonhams USA expansion – Opening offices and auctions in many states as well and being heavily involved in the set up of their USA Head office and Sale Room in New York in 2008 and led a team in the integration of new global software for their first Online auction in 2009.
Moving back to the UK in 2014, work continued in the Auction House profession with Project roles at Roseberys & Sothebys – “Working in the client service areas of an auction house seems to be in my blood and therefore joining Catherine and her team is a perfect fit”.
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.
