Hansons Auctioneers has enriched its antiques and valuation team with a host of appointments to support its four UK salerooms.
People with experience in ceramics, general antiques, textiles, jewellery and toys have joined the company including Dr Richard Halliday. Following a six-month sabbatical, he has returned to Hansons’ Banbury saleroom to take up the position of Head of Curated Ceramics at Hanson Holloway’s Ross.
Richard was awarded a PhD in the field of History of Art by Manchester Metropolitan University in 2018. He is fifth generation in the world of antiques and has eight published reference books to his credit.
He is currently writing his ninth publication which details the process of engraving a copper-plate for the transferware process. This has never been recorded previously. He has lectured on ceramics in the UK and the USA.
He spent nearly 10 years as an active Trustee of the Spode Museum Trust, is a former member of the Northern Ceramic Society committee and committee member of the Friends of Blue. He is also a board member of the Transferware Collectors Club. His passion is for British earthenware from the late 18th and early 19th centuries and he owns what he describes as a ‘modest collection’.
He will hold five curated ceramics sales a year, the first being on July 1. He will offer free valuations every Tuesday and Thursday at the Banbury saleroom in Parsons Street.
Hansons has also strengthened its Staffordshire saleroom team at Bishton Hall with the arrival of textiles and fashion valuer Virginia Ewart and jewellery, silver and watches assessor Melissa Lee-Patrick, FGA, who also supports the Banbury saleroom.
Virginia said: “I’ve always had a love of old things. My mother started taking me to auctions when I was a child and I grew up surrounded by vintage and antiques. We rarely had anything new in the home. I can thank her too for my passion for vintage clothing as she introduced me to vintage sellers in Birmingham’s Rag Market when I was 13. I loved 60s and 70s music and wanted to recreate the looks I saw on Album covers.
“Ten years ago, I decided to turn my hobby into a career and opened a shop in Birmingham’s Custard Factory specialising in 1920s-1950s fashions, jewellery and accessories. I’ve spent every day since researching and learning about vintage fashions and design and going to auctions and museums to expand my knowledge and gain hands-on experience. I’ve sourced for TV, film and theatre in the UK and the US and work with pieces from the 18th to the 20th centuries.”
Bishton Hall’s team has also been boosted by the arrival of general valuer Kim Wood. His expertise covers 20th century objects, silver, pre-Victorian and Art Deco ceramics.
Hoping to put his stamp on the firm’s Derbyshire headquarters is Dr Gwynne Harries FRPSL, a philatelic consultant appointed to build this specialist auction sector.
Charles Hanson, owner of Hansons Auctioneers, said: “Dr Harries will assist us in a collaboration between Hansons and internationally renowned auction house Spink & Son of London, which specialises in stamps. Hansons will serve the philatelic market in Derbyshire and neighbouring counties, ensuring important discoveries receive expert valuation and exposure in an important collectors’ market.”
Hansons has also enhanced its toy department with the appointment of dolls and teddy bears consultant Janet Rawnsley. She has decades of experience in her chosen field and has written books on the topic. As well as supporting Hansons’ expanding toy sales, she holds monthly valuation events in Knutsford, Cheshire.
Another addition to the business is Ian Hall. He has joined Hansons as a consultant to focus on the development and growth of the professional and private client services. He brings with him 37 years of experience within the antiques sector.
Charles said: “I’m delighted to expand our team. Business growth has enabled us to strengthen Hansons’ team of valuers and antiques experts to support our salerooms in London, Staffordshire, Derbyshire and Oxfordshire.
“Business is buoyant with new opportunities emerging all the time. This year has also marked the start of a collaboration with antiques experts in France to bring quality items to market direct from the chateau. We witnessed some exceptional results in the first French connection sale in March. Thanks to the ease of the online worldwide marketplace and ecommerce, items can be purchased online and posted out directly from France.”
