About

A little about CEA

Based in historic Charleston, South Carolina, we are one of the most progressive auction & estate sale firms in the southeast. Co-Founded by a fifth generation Charlestonian, Charleston Estate Auctions places traditional values, integrity, and overall client satisfaction at the forefront of every business interaction. With over forty years of industry experience, we offer our clients the personal service they expect from a regional auction house with results that match and often exceed those of much larger national firms. We pride ourselves on providing fair, professional and practical assistance to clients wishing to have their collections appraised or offered in our auctions.

Charleston Estate Auctions has grown significantly over the years, and now offers a wide variety of sale options. We diligently research every item for description accuracy, and use detailed digital photography for all online sales and promotions. Our use of multiple auction platforms ensures the largest possible world wide audience viewing and bidding on auction items. We continue to improve and expand our services to better serve our clients.

Our Auctioneer

Mark J. Bastian,

SCAL#4525

Mark is a Charleston native, with family ties going back several generations. His early childhood downtown Charleston inspired much of his love of antiques, fine art, jewelry and furniture. Mark began E. S. Griffith while still at the College of Charleston, after graduation he continued to build E. S. Griffith into a full service Appraisal Firm. A few years later Mark co-founded Charleston Estate Auctions and received his Auctioneer license in 2014. We are so please to have an auctioneer with roots in the local community, a passion for his work, and commitment to each client's needs.

Artist in Residence

Fernando Valverde

Born and raised in Madrid, Fernando comes from and maintains the Old World mentality. He graduated from the Universidad Complutense de Madrid with a Masters Degree in Architecture and a minor in Art History. After graduation he then interned as a restorer at the Prado Museum in Madrid for two years. He then took a position as an artist with the well-known Mural and Wallpaper Design Firm of Pierre Francois with offices in both Paris and Madrid. He came to New York to assist with the design, plan and development of Roosevelt Island.

He has done numerous Interiors, Architectural Design and Architectural Models as well as Fine Art and Architectural Restoration in Madrid, Paris, NYC, Philadelphia, Los Angeles, Miami and many other cities. Art Restoration is a lifelong passion. With over 50 years of experience. Portfolio available upon request.

The rest of our team

Our team of jewelry, art and antique specialists and appraisers have evaluated thousands of objects to secure exceptional consignments and collections. This is done with the utilization of the most current technologies, research, professional trade references, and the Gemological Institute of America’s internationally accepted diamond and colored stone grading systems. The team are published authors of several antique and collectible reference books. We dedicate our expertise, world market knowledge and global outreach to every sale. Our auctions and sales are aggressively advertised in the international marketplace with online, print, and electronic newsletters reaching thousands of clients and collectors. We have historically set records for auction results, with our proven advertising campaigns.

We are proud to be actively involved in the wonderful Charleston community and with partner companies support many charitable organizations, such as The Charleston Miracle League, The S.C. Maritime Foundation, The Hibernian Society, Darkness to Light, Rockers for Knockers, and The American Heart Association, through volunteering, as well as, service donations.

Why us?

Charleston Estate Auctions is the only firm offering our unique hybrid estate sale/virtual auction style sales, as well as professional art restoration and appraisals services.