CHORLEY'S AUCTIONEERS - Key Persons
Andrew has been involved with pictures, their identification, cataloguing and valuation, for over forty years. After university he joined Phillips in London, at that point the third largest auction house in the world, as a picture cataloguer.
From the beginning he learnt to handle on a daily basis a wide range of paintings and drawings, and this experience gave him a vital grounding in terms of identifying periods, countries of origin, schools of painting and individual artists. It proved an invaluable education which lent him a certain advantage over those experts who specialise in a particular period.
He became head of the picture department at Phillips but, in search of an environment with both better pictures and more expertise to draw on, he left after seven years to join the Old Master Department at Sotheby's. He was involved in detailed research and cataloguing for major sales, but he found himself increasingly taking on more general picture valuations, which might otherwise have required people from several departments. This took him to houses and institutions all over Britain and abroad.
Eventually, he felt well enough equipped to branch out on his own, and set up the independent valuation and consultancy business which he still runs. The nature of his work has changed very little, and much of it centres on valuations for insurance and probate as well as advising clients on buying and selling. He has developed his relationships with auction houses, and over the last twenty or more years has been a consultant to some of the better-known provincial rooms. He is delighted to have become part of the Chorley's team.
Job Titles:
- Specialist - European Ceramics and Glass
Emma studied Fine Art valuation at Solent University, Southampton and was an Associate Director, Head of Department and Specialist in European Ceramics and Glass of Christie's Auctioneers in South Kensington.
Job Titles:
- Consultant Auctioneer & Valuer
John's career in fine art started at H.W Kiel's antique shops in Broadway and London, specialising in early English furniture and works of art, before joining a friend in opening antique shops in Amsterdam and Bath. After 10 years in the antique trade, John joined Sotheby's and opened an office for them in Cheltenham - the job entailed sourcing fine art throughout the south of England and Wales and arranging for these items to be sold in London and other parts of the Sotheby's empire. Another part of the job was to help organise and prepare valuations, and during this time John visited most of the great houses in his area and with teams of specialist valuers helped produce inventories of many important collections.
After 30 years at Sotheby's, John joined Chorley's at Prinknash Abbey. The great finds continued - now that the large London auction houses have retreated to the capital, clients are seeking the advice of experienced local auctioneers. The team at Chorley's has the knowledge, the contacts and the expertise to produce inventories of collections and to auction works of art and antiques in a professional and friendly way. The Prinknash Abbey saleroom is in a wonderful rural setting with easy access, making it the best possible place to sell works of art.
John has now retired after 50 years in the business but is very happy to remain a consultant to and occasional auctioneer at Chorley's.
Rebecca studied Art History and Fine Art at The University of Wales Institute in Cardiff (UWIC) before going on to study a Masters of Art in Art Market Appraisal at Kingston University, London. Rebecca has received her Gem-A Gemmology Foundation qualification.
Rebecca has worked as an Auctioneer and General Valuer for the past fifteen years with experience gained at Dreweatts Auctioneers and The Cotswold Auction Company.
As well as enjoying all aspects of antiques, Rebecca is passionate about auctions, having even purchased her last two homes by auction and is currently renovating her Edwardian home.
Job Titles:
- Valuations & Auctions Administrator
Job Titles:
- Saleroom Manager & Photographer
Job Titles:
- Consultant Auctioneer & Valuer
Simon's career in the industry of auctions began in the early 1970s at Bruton Knowles. At first, in Gloucester Cattle Market, penning pigs and cattle, he moved to the Furniture department a year later, entering the world of house contents auctions as a porter and then becoming a junior cataloguer and auctioneer under the guidance of the most respected auctioneer, Cecil Bruton and the first antiques broadcasting guru, Arthur Negus.
During this period Simon was responsible for the organisation of the most important large Country House sales in both the Cotswolds and beyond. His roots in the county were important to the development of his 35 year career at Bruton Knowles and were a contributing factor to the success of a ‘New Business,' when he, along with all his colleagues transferred to Chorley's, in the beautiful grounds of Prinknash Abbey.
Job Titles:
- Creative Director
- Modern Design Consultant
Theo studied Art History at the University of East Anglia specializing in Decorative Arts and Design. After training at the furniture department of the Victoria & Albert Museum and Sir John Soane's Museum, Theo became buyer for the antiques department of Liberty working with their archives and is a recognized specialist in Arts & Crafts design.
More recently Theo has worked as a Creative Director within the contemporary luxury interiors market in the UK and Italy and as an independent advisor to high profile antique dealers and Interior Designers.
Theo has a strong interest in European Modernist and Mid-Century design as well as Modern British printmaking.
Job Titles:
- Director, Auctioneer & Valuer
Thomas joined Chorley's in 2007 after stints at Bonham's and Christies. Since then he has been involved in many of Chorley's most prominent sales from the 4000 lot Shambles Museum dispersal sale in 2009 to the Spetchley Park Attic sale in 2020.
As well as securing Chorley's house record lot, a pair of Qianlong panels sold for £340,000 in 2011 he has also been instrumental in the success of the Country House sale department with recent successes including selected contents sales from Ombersley Court, Beverston Castle and the estate of the late Sir John & Lady Smith.
Job Titles:
- Director, Auctioneer & Valuer
Werner joined Chorley's in 2022 as a Director and Valuer.
Werner studied Art History at the Courtauld Institute and followed this with an MA in Design History at the Victoria & Albert Museum.
Having worked for Phillips and Bonhams auctioneers as a carpet and furniture specialist he went on to work in Asia and America in luxury furniture design and manufacturing before returning to his passion of the auction business.
Werner has a passion for antique carpets, furniture and books.
Job Titles:
- Saleroom Assistant / Junior Cataloguer