meet the team
Established in Frome in 1868, Dore & Rees has a longstanding and cherished position in Somerset and the South West. Having built up a loyal community following offering regular general auctions, 2021 marks a turning point in the saleroom’s evolution, welcoming a new team and an expansion of specialist sales.
Led by Mark Rees since 1984, the saleroom is now under the direction of Lee Young, known to many as a BBC Antiques Roadshow expert with a leading position in the field of Asian Art. Lee has been a supporter of the auction house for many years. He first visited in 2012, falling in love with the charm of its premises and the creative local community. Somerset-based Lee has had a prestigious career over three decades working for national and international auctioneers including Sotheby’s, Phillips, Freeman’s of Philadelphia, Lyon & Turnbull and most recently, Duke’s of Dorchester where he was Managing Director.
The new Dore & Rees team include original member Guy Tayler who is looking forward to new opportunities for the business, such as opening up the auctions to online bidding and developing specialist sales. Guy is joined by Lynn Strover, formerly of Christie’s, KPMG Singapore and Duke’s, who brings familiarity of the auction and business world with a focus on client experience. A network of expert consultants, together with Lee’s considerable knowledge of furniture, works of art, silver, design and Asian art, makes the team well placed to help collectors, connoisseurs and shoppers alike.
Lee Young
MANAGING DIRECTOR / ASIAN ART
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Lee is a well-known face on the BBC Antiques Roadshow with a career that spans three decades and several disciplines. Starting out as a porter in 1988 at Messenger May & Bavistock in Surrey, Lee then moved on to become a saleroom manager at Phillip’s. At the age of 25 he was promoted to become their youngest ever branch manager in charge of the bustling Ringwood saleroom.
Lee then became Furniture & Works of Art specialist at Sotheby’s handling world-class objects on a daily basis. In 2002 Lee relocated to the US, joining America’s oldest auction house Freeman’s of Philadelphia, heading up their European Art department. Returning home in 2007 Lee took up the same position for Scottish firm Lyon & Turnbull before transitioning to Head of Asian Art in 2010 when the Chinese art market was at the height of its global boom.
Lee moved to the West Country and in 2017 joined Duke’s auctioneers in Dorchester as Managing Director and Head of Asian Art. The move to Dore & Rees in 2021 marks a real milestone in his career, and he will work closely with the team, both new and old, to develop the brand into an internationally-known, thriving regional auction house and community hub for design.
MArk Rees
AMBASSADOR
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Since 1984, Mark has been running Dore & Rees with care and attention, growing the general auctions and building a loyal local following. He has enabled many to recycle and clear properties, always keeping an eye out for a gem of a lot to lead the auctions, setting Dore & Rees off on its mission to offer ever more interesting and exciting lots.
In 2021 the time felt right to hand over the reins to Lee, a long-standing supporter of the saleroom, to build on Mark’s considerable legacy. Overseeing his final lot in the auction of 28 April, Mark sold a silver creamer in the form of a cow to a delighted bidder, reaching a strong four figure sum for the happy vendor.
Whilst life will now take on a more relaxed pace, Mark will remain a regular face on Vicarage Street, welcoming clients and friends on auction days.
Lynn Strover
CLIENT DEVELOPMENT
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Lynn started her career at Christie’s after studying at Christie’s Education specialising in Fine and Decorative Arts from the Renaissance to present day. She spent eleven years at the world’s leading art business holding specialist, administrative and management roles, leaving as Client Service Director. Life took her to Singapore for 9 years, during which time she worked as Director, Service Excellence in Financial Services for KMPG, focused on client experience.
Once back in the UK, the opportunity to return to auction presented itself and she joined Duke’s of Dorchester where she looked after client outreach activity including marketing, exhibitions management and client development, growing relationships within professional services networks. Now, the opportunity to join an agile team with great potential has caught her eye. At Dore & Rees she is focusing on supporting the team and enabling change establishing online auctions bringing them to a wider audience, and continuing client outreach activity. A keen walker, Lynn is in her element stomping through the landscape and looks for any opportunity to escape to the Alps.
SHANSHAN XU
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / ASIAN ART
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Shanshan Xu has over 10 years of art gallery, magazine, auction and curating experience. She trained to be a specialist by handling art objects from museums, auction houses and private collections and learning from the formal curator of the Percival David Collection. Shanshan studied in the famous Chinese ceramic city Jingdezhen and achieved her Masters degree majoring in History of Art and Archaeology at SOAS, University of London.
Well known from her work as an independent art consultant specialising in Chinese ceramics and works of art, Shanshan actively shares her knowledge and passion for Chinese art via social media to international audiences.
MARC ALLUM
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / CURIOUS AND COLLECTABLE
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Marc has been a specialist on the BBC Antiques Roadshow for 23 years. His eclectic and broad knowledge stems from an inherent and exacting interest across a wide spectrum of the art and antiques business. With over thirty years’ experience, his areas of expertise range from pre-history to modern design.
His early career was forged as Director of Rosebery’s auctioneers in London but in latter years has worked closely as a consultant with his Roadshow colleague Lee Young and is pleased to be on board helping to develop the Dore & Rees brand. Marc has appeared on numerous other television and radio shows over the years, writes regularly for mainstream magazines and is an author with several books to his name. As an Arts Society registered lecturer, he also talks frequently to groups around the world.
Marc is a Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries and an ambassador for the Association of Heritage Engineers.
GUY TAYLeR
SALEROOM MANAGER
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Guy has lived and breathed Dore & Rees all his working life, starting out as a porter in the 1990s. Quickly learning every aspect of auction house operations, Guy has been running Dore & Rees bi-monthly auctions from start to finish alongside Mark Rees for many years. One of his most memorable moments is selling an antique Asian sewing box, originally received in a carrier bag in poor state of repair and ultimately selling significantly beyond its owner’s expectations - in front of a wowed audience.
Guy is well known by Dore & Rees clients and he will be instrumental in ensuring a smooth transition for buyers and sellers, old and new, through this year's exciting transformation.
Guy is particularly excited to develop our calendar of specialist auctions, particularly Modern Design - an area that has captured his interest and imagination throughout his career.
NICK WELLS
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / MOTORING
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A lifelong classic car enthusiast, Nick restored his first classic car, a 1972 Triumph Spitfire, whilst still in his teens, and owns it to the present day.
Nick studied Business and German in Leeds, spending time with BMW in Munich, followed by a successful career in marketing. Feeling the urge to align his career more closely to his interests, Nick moved into the international classic car auction business some years ago, quickly establishing himself as a specialist and valuer, and later an auctioneer.
During his time in the industry Nick has presided over classic auction sales in the UK and Europe, and as far afield as South Africa, and has consulted on valuations and sales of both individual cars and collections. In 2021 Nick was delighted to be invited to join the expert panel of the ITV show The Car Years, taking two cars from a year in motoring history and pitching them against each-other to pick a winner.
Nick is delighted to join Dore & Rees at the start of this exciting new chapter for the business and to help open up new markets and opportunities.
When not tinkering with old cars Nick can either be found in the garden or on his road bike, running for his chosen charity Trinity Hospice in London, or enjoying his new hobby of clay pigeon shooting.
CATHERINE BRAND
OFFICE MANAGER
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Catherine recently joined Dore & Rees keen to bring fresh ideas and new energy into the growing team. She is looking forward to drawing on her professional and organized approach together with her friendly and understanding manner to support all aspects of the business.
No newcomer to the auction world, she relishes the opportunity to embark on an exciting new chapter in her administrative career as she focuses on assisting Dore & Rees achieve their bold vision for the future. Her knowledge, experience and motivation will stand her in good stead as she continues to develop and extend her network in the Frome area. With previous military, educational and event management experience, together with stints in other Auction houses, she is well equipped to meet the ever changing demands at Dore & Rees.
When not hard at work, Catherine enjoys dog walking, playing tennis and singing with one of the local choirs.
SUSAN RUMFITT
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / JEWELLERY
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Susan established her jewellery gallery in Harrogate in 2006 and is delighted to be expanding her business and partnering with Dore & Rees. The early part of her career was spent with Christie’s and then she joined Phillips.
Susan has built up a loyal following, offering advice to collectors, buyers and sellers of fine jewellery. She is also active in assisting clients with their jewellery valuations, repairs and redesign requirements. Susan also runs an extensive lecture program at her gallery, which focuses on jewellery history and design. Susan’s passion for jewellery and her intimate knowledge will bring a unique dimension to these joint auctions.
Susan is a Freeman of the Worshipful Company of Goldsmiths, an accredited lecturer for the Arts Society, as well as a well-known expert on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow.
Susan visits Frome regularly for valuations and auctions and assists clients from her base in Harrogate.
Andrew Huyan
LONDON SPECIALIST / ASIAN ART
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Andrew Huyan grew up in China and moved to London in 2012; he holds a Master’s Degree in the History of Art and Archaeology of East Asia from the School of Oriental and African Studies. Andrew also gained an MA in Anthropology from SOAS during lockdown.
Before joining Dore & Rees, Andrew had several roles in the London Asian art field. He started with an internship at Christie’s Chinese Art Department.
More recently, Andrew has been a consultant for several Asian art dealers and auction houses, where he developed his research skills and contacts in the London Asian art scene. Andrew currently also works for Marchant, Asian art dealer, London. He is an active member of the Oriental Ceramic Society and is particularly interested in Chinese Song ceramics, Kangxi porcelain, and Jade.
graham snow
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / PICTURES
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Graham has spent sixty years assessing paintings in public collections and helping advise clients in regards to acquisitions and sales within their private collections.
Educated at Hornsey College of Art, Graham went on to study at Slade School University College London, Osaka University and Nihon University in Japan. He taught at Dartington College of Art and various London Art Colleges before becoming Artist in Residence at Cambridge University, and a fellow of Clare Hall. Graham’s paintings have been shown in many one man shows in London, Paris, New York and Japan.
Graham has been a director of several London Art Galleries and curated many artists shows. He worked for a number of London auction houses, curating unique fine art auctions. Graham single handedly master minded the Craigie Aitchison estate auction, a white glove auction, and the Colony Room auction in 2008. Bringing his experiences to Dore & Rees, he is focussed on growing the Picture department.
DUNCAN CAMPBELL
CONSULTANT SPECIALIST / SILVER
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Having been fascinated by hallmarks as a child, Duncan got his first proper introduction to antique silver working for a well known silver dealer on Portobello Road while still at university in 1987. After graduating, Duncan worked for a Merchant Bank in the City for a few years before the attractions of his Saturday job, inevitably, were too compelling. Duncan has spent the last 30 years immersed in antique silver.
As a valuer he has catalogued collections for, among others, The Middle Temple, Lloyds of London, The Worshipful Company of Armourers and Brasiers, The City of Nottingham Museum and The Institution of Mechanical Engineers.
He has appeared regularly as a specialist silver valuer on the BBC’s Antiques Roadshow, having started on the same show, Hertford College Oxford, as Fiona Bruce, in 2008.
As a dealer, after running his own stand on Portobello Road Duncan moved to the west country in 2001 and has had a specialist antique silver shop in Bath since 2010. After 12 years of retail, it was time for a change:
“I have always had a hankering to put on a really good silver sale and so the opportunity to host a specialist silver collectors’ auction at Dore & Rees, alongside all my Antiques Roadshow friends, is too good a prospect to pass up.”