We are proud to welcome Ma San Auction to the Auctionet platform, a distinguished name in British auctioneering with deep roots in Chinese art and a legacy that spans generations. Nestled in the historic city of Bath, Ma San Auction brings not only regional charm but also international expertise, especially in the field of Asian antiques and art.
From Hong Kong to Bath: A Story of Passion and Discovery
The Ma family’s journey in the art and antiques world is as rich as the collections they curate. It began with Danny Ma, who moved from Hong Kong to the UK as a teenager in the late 1970s. While studying in Devon, he fell in love with the wealth of antiques across the English countryside. This passion soon transformed into a full-fledged career: by the 1990s, Danny had become a well-known dealer and opened The Bath Antiquities Centre, the first UK shop of its kind specialising in early Chinese ceramics, particularly pre-Ming burial items.
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Second-Generation Specialist with a Modern Touch
Building on that foundation, Ma San Auction was established in 2016 by Danny's son, Leon Ma. Leon had spent his twenties travelling the country, frequenting auction houses, and honing a sharp eye for quality under Danny’s mentorship.
Since their first live sale in October 2016, Ma San Auction has held regular events every two months, gaining a strong reputation as one of the leading Asian Art specialists in Southern England. Their premises, shown in recent interior and exterior photos, reflect a seamless blend of modern presentation with timeless aesthetic sensibility.
A photograph from that time shows Danny standing proudly in front of his shop, a symbol of cultural connoisseurship and pioneering spirit in a field not yet widely explored in the UK.
One of their landmark moments came in 2021 when they handled the estate collection of Sir Mark Heath KCVO CMG, a British diplomat and Head of Protocol in Hong Kong during the 1980s. The sale included a stunning array of Chinese works of art, capturing the eye of collectors far beyond the UK.
A New Digital Chapter with Auctionet
Joining Auctionet marks a strategic move for Ma San Auction. While continuing their tradition of two high-quality live auctions per year, primarily focusing on Asian art, they are now embracing the digital model through Continuous Online listings. This enables them to share fine antiques and decorative items with a wider audience on a daily basis, no longer bound by the rhythms of live sales.
As the business approaches its 10-year anniversary, the team at Ma San Auction is focused on broadening their reach and increasing the volume of quality consignments. With deep regional knowledge, access to extraordinary items from local estates, and a keen eye for storytelling through objects, they are perfectly positioned to thrive on our platform.
A Digital Leap Into the Futute, Celebrating the Past
“Our excitement comes from finding and consigning items which have stories and history,” says Leon Ma, owner of Ma San Auction.
"Being based in the historical city of Bath certainly gives us a good chance to do that. Whether it be decorative or antique, Auctionet will allow us to share these items daily to a wide audience without having to continually wait around for live sales."
Rooted in the heart of historic Bath, a perfect place for uncovering stories through antiques.
Leon Ma continues: "As we are coming up to our 10 year anniversary at Ma San Auction, we are looking forward to offering our customers something new and different ".
Welcome to Aucionet
Ma San Auction embodies the qualities we value at Auctionet: expertise, tradition, innovation, and a love of objects that connect us to the past. We are delighted to support their evolution into a digitally-empowered auction house and look forward to sharing their treasures with buyers around the world.
