AROUND 150 lots from the 18th century Grade II Listed Bowdon Old Hall are going under the hammer.

A collection of antique furniture, pictures, ceramics from the home of Lord John Lee of Trafford and his wife forms the heart of a collective county house auction next month.

Lord Lee, who served as minister in Margaret Thatcher’s government in the 1980s, entered the House of Lords in 2006 and is a successful company director, investor and financial journalist.

The sale of some of the antiques from his collection follows the family’s decision to move home.

Items up for auction include a pair of late 18th century or early 19th century Turkish silver mounted wooden shoes, valued at up to £1,000, and an 18th century oak dresser, which is expected to fetch up to £1,200.

They will go before bidders at Halls Fine Arts Auctioneers, in Shrewsbury, on April 13.

“Lord Lee and his wife’s family have owned Bowdon Old Hall since 1919 and its contents tell stories of changing tastes, fashions, old formalities and social occasions,” said Jeremy Lamond, Halls’ fine art director.

“Offered in the auction are possessions which, in many cases, have not been seen on the market since the 1920s whilst others inform us of the owner’s collecting tastes in more recent years.

“The sale of the contents of Bowdon Old Hall allows everyone an opportunity to possess something of the history of a passing era and to create new memories of objects enjoyed and appreciated in those still moments of reflection in the great rush of life.”

Other interesting lots, which are valued at between £500 and £800 each, include a 19th century Sevres cabaret set, an early 20th century Tabriz style carpet depicting hunting, a Victorian figured walnut and marquetry desk and a 17th century oak gate-leg dining table. Several lots reflect the Armenian heritage of Lady Lee.

Pictures from Lord Lee’s collection include two pen and ink by Jules Pascin (1885-1930), valued at up to £700, and an oil on canvas by Francois Bouvin (1817-1887), valued at up to £800.