Asian Art Auctions, Valuations & Sales

As part of Halls' dynamic auction calendar, the Asian Art department focuses on Chinese and Japanese porcelain, pottery, jade, bronzes, lacquer, silver, furniture, pictures and wood works of art. In addition, the sales will often include Indian and Islamic objects. We reach a global audience through our database of clients developed over many years in addition to live online bidding through our web catalogues. 

Specialist Knowledge

Our department is headed up by specialist, Alexander Clement, who holds a wealth of knowledge and experience gained with international auctioneers. Halls also has access to consultants covering niche areas of the market when fine detail and more intensive research is required. Alexander will value your Chinese, Japanese and Islamic art for auction sale, insurance and probate. Objects can be brought to Halls’ by booking an appointment at our saleroom or in your home if more convenient. Covering all of Shropshire as well as Worcestershire, Cheshire, Mid- and North-Wales, Lancashire, we are able to travel much further afield and value objects throughout the UK.

When you place your items with Halls you can be assured of the unrivalled personal service of your ‘local’ saleroom with the gravitas of an international business. Get in touch to find out more about your Asian items and how we can help get the best results for you.

Ivory

As of 6 June 2022, it will be illegal to sell items made of elephant ivory in the UK, regardless of age, barring the exceptions detailed below.  If you own Chinese or Japanese ivory items we regret that Halls will be very unlikely able to consign them for auction, even if they are antique.  Elephant ivory items remain perfectly legal to own, give away as a gift or bequeath as part of a will.

The following exceptions can be made but in each case a permit to sell must be applied for and approved before the items can be sold:

• Pre-1947 items containing less than 10% ivory by volume.
• Pre-1975 musical instruments containing less than 20% ivory by volume.
• Pre-1918 portrait miniatures with a surface area of no more than 320 square centimetres
• Sales to, and hire agreements with, qualifying museums.
• Pre-1918 items with outstanding artistic, cultural, or historical value

Further advice is available at the UK Gov website or by clicking the following link: https://www.gov.uk/guidance/dealing-in-items-containing-ivory-or-made-of-ivory

Talk to our Specialist