SOUTHPORT continues to be a happy hunting ground for leading regional fine art auctioneers Halls Fine Art.

The Shrewsbury-based auction house held a bi-monthly antiques valuation event at Meols Hall, Churchtown, Southport this week when specialists Maryanne Lineker-Mobberley and Alexander Clement took in for sale a Cartier diamond brooch valued at up to £6,000 and a Clair de Lune Chinese vase valued at up to £1,500, respectively.

Halls Fine Art has held free antique valuation events in Southport for almost a decade and their top discovery in the seaside resort to date was a rare Chinese blue and white porcelain vase that sold for £150,000 in 2017, despite having damage to its rim.

Standing 55cm high, the bottle shaped vase had the mark of Emperor Yongzheng, who reigned between 1723-’35, on the underside.

Maryanne, who is Halls Fine Art’s silver and jewellery specialist, said:- “Southport and the surrounding area have traditionally been very good for producing quality jewellery and silver items which we have sold at auction.”


Alexander Clement, Halls Fine Art’s general valuer and Asian art and watches specialist, said:- “An exciting antique find like this 1 is what keeps us auctioneers getting out of bed in the morning. We know from past experience that there are treasures just waiting to be identified in Southport and surrounding area. Receiving an up-to-date valuation of silver, jewellery, pictures and antiques is important for homeowners, as markets fluctuate. Based on what we tell them, they might need to review their home contents insurance cover, as they will not want to be underinsured in the unfortunate event of having to make a claim. People sometimes have no idea how valuable items are and it’s very rewarding to be able to deliver the good news to them.”

Specialists from Halls provide expert valuations on fine art, Asian art, antiques, silver, jewellery and watches, furniture and clocks, militaria, ceramics, books manuscripts and maps, coins and stamp collections

People who wish to have large antiques valued may take along photographs to show the specialists. Anyone with a collection or potentially valuable items which they wish to have professionally assessed can contact Halls Fine Art on Tel:- 01743 450700.