It must say something if an antiques fair can achieve forty-nine years at the same venue and it is not hard to see why the Annual Buxton Antiques Fair, which takes place from 16-19 May 2013 has succeeded at the historic Victorian Buxton Pavilion. The beautiful venue is surrounded by twenty-three acres of gardens designed by Sir Joseph Paxton and his pupil Edward Milner both of whom worked and built many of the greenhouses at Chatsworth House under William Cavendish, the 6th Duke of Devonshire. Sir Joseph Paxton and Edward Milner were both outstanding architects and worked to complete other cherished landmarks including another Cooper Antiques Fairsa venue, Tatton Park, as well as Crystal Palace and Mentmore Towers.

Organiser Sue Ede of Cooper Antiques Fairs has built up a faithful following of exhibitors during her ownership of the fair and there is another full house this year offering something for everyone from classic jewellery, silver and ceramics to fine paintings, period furniture, copper and brass, bronze Art Deco statuary, Persian rugs, fine glass, impressive mirrors, medical and scientific instruments, antiquarian maps and prints; Chinese and Japanese collector’s items and more.

Exhibiting at the fair for the first time will be leading London Art Deco specialist Hickmet Fine Art who sell the work of the finest bronze sculpture designers of the period, including Demetre Chiparus (1888-1947), who used dancers from The Ballet Russes to model for his figurines; Fritz Ferdinand Preiss (1882-1943), whose figures captured the spirit of the 1920s and 30s; and Otto Poertzel (1876-1935), whose many early works featured in the salons of the German Royal courts. Other leading sculptors featured include Bruno Zach (1891-1935), Josef Lorenzl (1892-1950) and Paul Philippe (1870-1930).

Another of the highlights of the fair will be a display of antiquities belonging to AB Antiquo, who specialise in early Chinese pottery from the Han Dynasty (206 BC-AD221), Tang Dynasty (AD 618-906), Song Dynasty (1254-1324) and Ming Dynasty (1368–1644). Among the pieces on display will be large earthenware glazed pottery camels, tomb figures, models of mythical dragon creatures, storage jars and vases, with prices from less than £100 to more than £10,000.

For full exhibitor list and times see Cooper Events web site via TRADE INDEX

Images:
Hickmet Fine Arts
Fritz Ferdinand Preiss – Gamine II
A beautiful cabinet sized early 20th Century chryselephantine (bronze and ivory) figure of a young woman in period dress with hands in her pockets, her clothes finely coloured in cold painted enamels; the head, arms and legs of hand carved ivory. Raised on a Brazilian green onyx base and signed F Preiss£ 15,950
Fritz Ferdinand Preiss – Bat Dancer
A fabulous cold painted bronze and carved ivory figure of a flapper in full dance costume with excellent colour and detail, the costume with outstretched 'bat wings' based on the dancer 'Niddy Impekoven'. A dramatic model that captures the vitality of the period £ 17,500

Ingrid Nilson of The Antique Dealers' Fair Ltd has joined forces with Alasdair Brown of Alasdair Brown Events to bring another Secret Antique Dealers' Ball and this year the theme of Carnival promises to be a riotous night of fun, glamour and rhythm.

The ball takes place on Friday 14 June at The Hilton Olympia Hotel, London W14. Ingrid and Alasdair say that the event, the fourth staging of this annual extravaganza, will be bigger and better, and takes place while London is brimming with fairs.

The event can accommodate up to twenty-eight tables of ten. Why not bring family & friends, colleagues, clients and staff together for night to remember - an entertaining celebration of the antiques trade which will help to raise funds for Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Tickets are £75 per person or £675 for a table of ten, payable in advance.

Please email Ingrid Nilson for further information

Masterpiece London returns for the fourth edition of aesthetic excellence from 27 June to 3 July 2013 in the spectacular purpose-built pavilion on the South Grounds of The Royal Hospital Chelsea, London SW3 with over one hundred and fifty distinguished dealers in art and antiques on the international stage vying for the most talked about exhibit – a prize likely to be carried off by jewellers Symbolic & Chase who will be showcasing an extraordinary jewel from European Royal history – The Mary Tudor Pearl.

The Renaissance pearl surfaced in 2004 when it was acquired, having been lost since the late 16th century, and can be dated back to 1526. It measures 258.12 grains (64.5 carats, 69.8 carats with its diamond cap) making it the third largest well-formed natural pearl documented today.
Between 1526 and 1539 the pearl entered into the outstanding jewellery collection of the Empress Isabella of Portugal (1503-1539). When the Empress died in 1539 the pearl was inherited by her daughter, Juana of Austria (1535-1573) and ultimately became part of the dowry for Mary Tudor (1516-1558), after whom the pearl has been christened, when she married Felipe II of Spain.

The outstanding asymmetrical drop-shaped pearl was much admired by the Tudor courts and is featured in Royal portraiture of Mary Tudor, namely ‘Mary Tudor, Queen of England, second wife of Felipe II’ by Anthonis Mor at the Museo del Prado and ‘Queen Mary I’ by Hans Eworth, (image courtesy of The Bridgeman Art Library). A similar painting by Hans Eworth of Queen Mary I also hangs at the National Portrait Gallery.

Martin Travis, Director at Symbolic & Chase, says, "Coming across one of the most astonishing natural pearls to date is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am delighted to be showcasing this recent Royal discovery at Masterpiece London this June and July".

Following its debut at Masterpiece London the pearl will be exhibited at the V&A Museum Pearls Exhibition which will run from 21 September 2013 to 19 January 2014.

Masterpiece London 2013 welcomes more than twenty new exhibitors to the fair this year. These include Ariadne Galleries (New York), Martin du Louvre (Paris), Veronique Bamps (Paris), Galerie Willy Huybrechts (Paris), Galerie Vauclair (Paris), Mayoral Galeria D’Arte (Barcelona), Stockspring (London), Montblanc UK Ltd (London) and Rolleston (London) amongst many others. These exhibitors join Masterpiece London’s returning exhibitors to present an international spectrum drawn from eleven different countries, from the west coast of United States to Europe.

Images:
The Mary Tudor Pearl -Symbolic & Chase
Queen Mary I, 1554, oil on oak by Hans Eworth.
Courtesy of Society of Antiquaries of London/ The Bridgman Art Library.

For full exhibitor list and times see Masterpiece London web site via TRADE INDEX

Our efforts have not been in vain - National Antiques Week 2013 was a smash hit and we have to say an enormous thank you to David Juran of The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair who hosted our wonderful party and Awards Ceremony!

The evening was a two part event which we shared with our colleagues over at Homes and Antiques Magazine who were presenting their awards for Shop of the Year.

The Homes and Antiques awards were presented by Judith Miller and our very own Antiques Young Gun Mark Hill and the Young Guns Awards were presented by Mr Nicky Haslam and another of our home team Young Guns Mr George Johnson

And the awards went to!

Winner of the 2013 Antiques Young Gun is Timothy Medhurst, 21, of Reeman Dansie Auctioneers whom the judges all agreed was an outstanding ambassador for the trade based on his enthusiasm and energetic support for the campaign, his willingness to promote his fellow dealers and his absolute commitment to his profession. Well done Tim!!

Joint runners up are:

Keeley Harris who owns Discover Vintage and runs multiple events across the UK including Festival of Vintage. The judges agreed that Keeley's achievements and hard work together with her ability to include and work with her peers has really put her on the map and we felt that her success will be an encouragement for other young dealers in the vintage trade.

Chris Oxley of the family firm P A Oxley Antique Clocks has been a pivotal member of the Antiques Young Guns group on Twitter and has been a fantastic supporter of the campaign and his fellow Young Guns. Chris has displayed a heartfelt commitment to the family business since his teenage years and has taken the business, a traditional and highly respected business into the 21st Century with gusto.

The Judges' Award:

The judges were delighted to be able to award one extra prize on the night having struggled to select just three winners from such a starry line-up! Alfies Antique Market generously offered a free stand at this famous and iconic London landmark antiques, vintage and Mid C Retro emporium for two months in the summer of 2013 and this award went to Alys Dobbie of Nana Dobbie who the judges agreed was the ideal person to make the very best of this opportunity. Alys has established a destination vintage and Mid C shop in Brighton and works with her father to manage another Nana Dobbie shop in Cornwall. She is perfectly poised to take London by a storm and what better place than Alfies? Alys has a great sense of personal style and her shops reflect this and at Alfies she will have the chance to meet and interact act with the seasoned and experienced dealers - a true Young Gun experience.

All the Young Gun shortlist will benefit from a fantastic package of prizes from our generous sponsors including: Hotel Una Brighton;Cooper Antiques Fairs; Penman Antique Fairs; On-Line Galleries and Antiques are Green

Images:
Timothy Medhurst of Reeman Dansie pictured with George Johnson, Nicky Haslam and Mark Hill
Keely Harris of Discover Vintage and Vintage Emporium pictured with George Johnson, Nicky Haslam and Mark Hill.
Chris Oxley of PA Oxley Antiques pictured with George Johnson, Nicky Haslam and Mark Hill.
Alys Dobbie of Nanadobbie pictured with George Johnson, Nicky Haslam and Mark Hill.

There were tears of joy from one of the winners of the prestigious Homes & Antiques Shop of the Year Awards and we will be posting lots more pictures on Monday.

Here is a taster showing the delighted winners of Antiques Centre of the Year - Debbe Perry & Jim Broomfield of Brackley Antiques Cellar with Judith Miller.

Well done to all the Homes & Antiques winners!

Gaining more and more ground in the Midlands, Field Dog Fairs have added more dates and two extra venues to the packed calendar of fairs.

The very successful Antiques Collectors' and Vintage Weekend Fairs will run twice in 2013 on May Bank Holiday 5-6 May (sold out) at Southwell Racecourse and on the other Bank Holiday at the end of May, 25 - 26 at Stamford Meadows.

Spouthwell Racecourse Antiques, Vintage and Collectors' Weekends for 2013 will include a large marquee which will house the additional stalls and a large Antiques Market will fill the grounds at the front of the Grandstand creating a French brocante feel. The two-day event will be a real family event and will kick start a summer of Antiques Weekends for Field Dog Fairs Ltd.

A recent one-day event at another new venue was held at ‘Brooksby Hall’ Nr Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, a beautiful country house which attracted a large crowd and a Festive Vintage and Collectors' Fair has also been confirmed for 14-15 December 2013.

A very useful new addition to most of the outdoor events for 2013 will be Thomas Cook mobile banking facilities, allowing visitors to draw cash and change currencies and for stallholders to acquire floats at a teller operated mobile bank and ATMs.

The additional venues now confirmed are Towcester Racecourse on Saturday 27- Sunday 28 July and then later in the year, central Northampton Country Cricket Ground events venue on November 9 & 10.

Field Dog Fairs attract a big showing of Antiques Young Guns at their events, both as exhibitors and visitors and the organisers work really hard to maintain a happy ship at their events. One of the most popular initiatives from 2012 will be repeated for 2013 - The Great Antique Voucher Giveaway which is open to visitors to any Field Dog Fairs two or three day Antiques Weekends throughout 2013 where they can collect an entry card.

Entrants need only fill in their name and contact details, pop it into the competition box and keep their fingers crossed. At the end of each event, two winners will be drawn. The 1st prize winner will receive £150 Field Dog Fairs Antiques Vouchers and the 2nd prize winner will receive £50 worth. Vouchers are valid for twelve months.

For full details of all events see Field Dog Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

A big favourite with us at Antiques News and Fairs is the extremely stylish and utterly charming Mr Mark Hill who always manages to find time to support the various campaigns and events which benefit the antiques trade, not least National Antiques Week.

We are so excited to learn that Mark will be co-presenting the new BBC2 TV - RDF Television prime time show called Collectaholics with the witty and warm Mel Giedroyc of Mel & Sue fame, who most recently presented three hit series of The Great British Bake-Off.

Mark, a diehard collector himself, told us: "The subjects are collecting and collections – both are so close to my heart, they’re probably a rather large part of it, and the blood that it pumps around me!

In three one hour shows, Collectaholics focuses on the stories and passions that lie behind Britain’s collectors and collections. Certain objects and themes will then act as springboards for us to look at the fascinating social history or story behind them."

Filming has now finished and the programme dates will be announced shortly. Mark are

Considered to be one of the most prestigious antique events in the North of England Harrogate Antique Fair from 3-6 May 2013 will again strive to offer a range of exhibitors are selected on a basis of quality, integrity and knowledge, with the widest possible range of stock to keep the Fair as vital and diverse as possible.

Since the 2012 the Fair has been totally relaunched with a new web site and an extension to the range of stock and now includes 20th century and Art Nouveau specialist dealers, adding another dimension to this event which is organised in conjunction with The BADA, the British Antique Dealers' Association with aim of providing a suitable forum for antiques and fine art from all over the country to be presented before the cognoscenti of the North. The location of Harrogate which is a centre of excellence for antiques adds to the attraction of the event. Organiser Louise Walker maintains an accessible fair which provides a friendly and informative experience to both exhibitors and visitors alike. Its original byword of being a "Buyer's Fair", where like-minded people can discuss and purchase Fine Art and antiques, still holds true.

Images:
Howards Jewellers: An Art Deco diamond pendant

Walker Galleries “The American Clipper Ship The Charles B Lunt” by Montague Dawson, FRSA, RSMA (1895-1973), Oil on canvas, signed, 20” x 30”.

For tickets and times see Harrogate Antique Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

As part of a our feature highlighting some of our wonderful Young Guns of the Antiques Trade see our first edition where we focus on Nicola WinwoodDirector of Masterpiece Fair

Anyone reading the publicity surrounding Antiques Young Guns will have noticed that the main event will be hosted at a venue which is the ultimate source for discerning homemakers, designers and trade – The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair 23-28 April 2013 at the recently renamed Evolution Marquee in Battersea Park, London SW11.

The event, still known in the trade inner circles as “the Decorators’ Fair” is indeed an event for the Young Guns of the trade to aspire to and thanks to the generosity of the organiser David Juran they will have a bird’s eye view of this storming event from the complimentary stand in the foyer where a very varied selection of contributions from The Young Guns will be on display and for sale. The chance to submit stock to be showcased at what is an elite event for the more experienced members of the trade - The Heavy Artillery - was a driving force behind so many entries in the competition.

The Spring Fair will be home to more than one hundred and forty of the decorative trade who consistently make this event a first call for not only decorators worldwide but also American trade buyers who come over specifically for the event three times a year to see wonderful objects, furniture and works of art of all periods to tempt every aficionado of fine interiors. Traditional accessories from kitchenalia to wine glasses, textiles and quirky decorations such as antique shoes alongside ‘Grand Tour’ intaglios displayed under domes and taxidermy also under glass domes on a grand scale. The fair is also a serious source for good antique furniture from early English oak to Georgian walnut and Regency mahogany with Arts and Crafts and Art Deco pieces appearing more and more frequently.

The Winter event in January saw a trend for comfortable country house upholstery which sold very well and a common design thread was simplicity and good proportions. Original twentieth century mirrors, lighting and furniture such as sideboards, consoles, occasional tables and desks offered modern style with quality an integrity at prices competitive with many high street and designer sources.

Keil and Stuart the Fontaine boys are now in their sixth year at The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Spring Fair and they seem to be on a gilded path with one successful fair after another, not forgetting their debut at Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair last year which was a sell out.

Their prominent stand just inside the main arena at Battersea is always a buzzy hive of activity and a quick check on their web site this week confirms that they have been on yet another buying frenzy in France. The boys seem to have a policy of keeping the stock fresh at all times in the former town laundry which they have artfully transformed in Margate, Kent. They have regular sales of existing stock when prices really are slashed together with their annual boozy and lively “deballage” where they also showcase new stock, and then off they go to France to replenish it all with fresh delights. They have an extremely sharp eye for trifles and baubles you did not realise you simply could not live without but they are also very clever at structuring all of this with sleek usable furniture – each piece with an arresting little detail to give it that little flick.

Somebody who is heading along his own gilded path is Young Gun George Johnson, aged 35, who owns Lady Kentmores in Callander up the picturesque Trossachs region of Scotland. George has in a very short space of time made a name for himself in his role as one of the four hosts on Channel 4's Secret Removers and since this appearance has been offered a new role in another nationwide show still under embargo! George writes regularly for Antiques News and Fairs and a number of other trade press and has recently been snapped up to write a column for Money Maker Magazine giving tips on how to make a profit from collectibles. His shop is in the words of Toma Haines, The Antiques Diva “a cocktail stirred but not shaken!” - a confection of curios, collectibles and the macabre.

As a key member of the crack team of judges for Antiques Young Guns George was not eligible to enter the awards but he is able to display some of his stock on the Young Guns stand at Battersea. He has chosen two of his favourite pieces of taxidermy which he acquired after a lengthy and circuitous journey to a remote castle in the North of Scotland where the Laird had invited him to come and buy a few pieces. George found the journey home a lot more enjoyable with some prize exampled of pre-war taxidermy in tow!

Images:
Fontaine
Early 20thC French Lantern £695
Two Early 20thC Composite Chickens £325
19thC Tole Egg Warmer £295
Lady Kentmores:
A cased heron, approx size; 33" x 25" x 10"
- a fabulous example of a Grey Heron (Ardea Cinerea) it has been mounted with a very natural background. Early 20thC,£699
Owl in a bell jar 8" x 17"
Exquisite early 20thC Taxidermy Barn Owl (Tyto Alba) - the quality of this item just radiates beauty. £699

For full exhibitor list and times see The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

Please visit National Antiques Week Main Events feature with images and full details of all events and promotions.

We are delighted to report on the main events for National Antiques Week which in addition to the Antiques Young Guns campaign culminating in a sparkling evening to celebrate National Antiques Week with an awards ceremony followed by a party at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair will include:

* Homes & Antiques Awards to find the Best Antiques Shop, Best Antiques Centre and Best Vintage Mid C Shop also culminating at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair awards ceremony

* a Treasure Hunt at Ardingly International Antiques & Collectors' Fair organised by IACF Ltd

* a flurry of events at Sheffield Antiques Quarter (image shows a special bag designed and produced for the event).

* a Best in Show award to take place at The Festival of Vintage York

* a special window display and event to encourage young people to become colletors at Antiques on High Oxford


If you are organising an event please contact Antiques News & Fairs for a free entry in the listing.

We are thrilled to hear from the organiser of The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair Mr David Juran that one of the world’s most distinguished interior designers and ultimate socialite Nicky Haslam has agreed to present the awards to our aspiring Antiques Young Guns at the awards ceremony on 25 April 2013.

With a portfolio that reads like Debretts and Sunday Times Rich List, who better to come and add some fun and opulence to the evening than the glamorous Mr Haslam who has long been a visitor to The Decorative Fair and a serious ambassador for the antiques trade.

In addition to his interior design and packed social calendar, Nicky Haslam is also a journalist, author, photographer, gardener and more recently, a singer. He has also thrown open the doors of The Hunting Lodge, his beautiful home in Hampshire, and made it the subject of his latest book, Folly de Grandeur. This is his third title following Redeeming Features and Sheer Opulence.

The Cotswolds Art & Antique Dealers' Association returns to the elegant setting of Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire from 18-21 April 2013 following an outstanding debut last year. The success of the fair has encouraged the most appropriate of all patrons Lady Henrietta Spencer Churchill, eldest daughter of the present Duke of Malborough, to agree to become the new Patron of the association adding extra prestige to the event which will welcome an elite collection of exhibitors drawn from the membership.

One of the long standing members of CADA -W.R. Harvey & Co Antiques who specialise in fine English antique furniture dating from the reigns of Charles II through to
George IV will bring what is likely to be one of the highlights of the fair - a superb cabinet made by Wright & Mansfield, one of the most prominent Victorian furniture makers in England. The satinwood breakfront cabinet is an important and outstanding example of its kind. With many very attractive features including reeded gilt columns, carved gilt acanthus details, superb Wedgwood green jasperware plaques depicting Greek philosophers, cupids and winged figures, and flanked by classical gilt reeded Doric columns, the whole piece is elaborately inlaid in harewood, boxwood and stained woods in the neo-classical manner with bell-flowers, ribbons, swags and urns.

A relative newcomer to CADA is Mark Goodger of Hampton Antiques a specialist dealer in boxes and caddies of the very best quality. Mark can be seen at a number of the premier fairs around the country and will be returning to Blenheim Palace this year with another tempting selection of portable and often important boxes with provenance.

One such box is a superb Coromandel decanter box with retailers plaque "Lawson & Son, Old Steine, Brighton"
The interior of this box has three hobnail crystal decanters housed in blue velvet lined interior, with a beautiful gilded & engraved serving tray, eight spirit glasses and the bottom has a brass swing handle and compartmentalised cigar drawer.

The top of the box has an inscription which reads: "Presented to H.J.Davis Esq, For valuable services rendered as Hons, Sec to the Beaconsfield Habitation, Primrose League No 212 Brighton 1890".

For tickets and times see Cotswolds Antiques & Art Fair

At the outset, the idea of the Young Guns of the Antiques Trade campaign was to discover if a seam of young people existed who could be torch bearers for the trade going forward.

The trade is blessed with so many unique characters who have acquired an incalculable cache of knowledge throughout their long careers – what would happen to the antiques trade if there would be nobody to pick up the cudgel and take it forward?

Should we believe that the younger generation are not interested in the traditional area of the antiques trade and only want to deal in vintage and Mid C uber cool items? Would there be enough younger people to take a leap of faith and leave often well paid and comfortable jobs to try their luck with the vagaries of the antiques trade?

In the last six months following the launch of our campaign we have been occasionally astounded, often deeply touched and usually completely reassured and delighted to read the personal accounts of so many Young Guns working in the trade today across so many sectors and at all levels. From the youngest trader just starting out at car boot sales having amassed a collection of coins and medals to high flying young dealers who have made it to Maastricht, Masterpiece and beyond.

The trade is supported by a network of fairs and antique dealers' associations and within this sector of the industry there are a number of stars in the ascent revitalising the way an association communicates with its members in the fast moving world of social media and in the fairs community there are hardworking and gifted Young Guns helping to adapt and often revive long standing fairs with inventive interactive approaches to consumers on-line.

At the end of our quest for Antiques Young Guns 2013 we have arrived at a shortlist of twelve from the diverse and talented list of just under sixty applications we received. We have exciting plans to continue to promote the entire group who applied to take part in the first Antiques Young Guns awards and there will be a formal announcement at the awards ceremony on 25 April 2013 at The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair.

Going forward we will be highlighting some of the entries we received during our campaign. Our first post is about Nicola Winwood Director of Masterpiece Fair no less! We hope Nicola's success will inspire a young university arts graduate somewhere as a fascinating study of how to reach the top very quickly if you have enough energy, enthusiasm and commitment and possibly just a little bit of an obsession for the finer things in life – to hold if not to have!

See Baubles, Bangles and Breughel - a Young Gun at the Top of her Game

To celebrate the launch of their brand new event Stoneleigh Antiques & Collectors' Fair which opens for the first time with a one-day event on Monday 15 April, 2013, IACF Ltd are offering a free pitch to existing 2013 stallholders. Bookings must be received by Thursday 11 April 2013 and stands will be offered on a first come first served basis as there is limited space.

To make your booking call 01636 702326

Future dates are confirmed with a one-day Monday on 16 September and a two day weekend fair to be held on the 22 & 23 November.

See IACF Ltd web site via TRADE INDEX

With the date rapidly approaching the twelve members of the Young Guns of the Antiques Trade shortlist can look forward to a fantastic prize package share out when the awards are announced on Thursday 25 April 2013.

Every member of the shortlist will benefit from a part of the prize package but one lucky member will receive the Judges Special Award which will be announced on the night by a very special celebrity to be announced on Friday 5 April 2013.

See below for details of the prize package and see National Antiques Week for the full shortlist with bios and profile images.

The winner’s prize package will include:

*An award to be presented at a gala ceremony with a reception afterwards at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fairsponsored by David Juran, owner of the fair.

*12 months advertising package on Antiques News & Fairs and Antiques are Green

*Overnight stay at Hotel Una a luxury boutique hotel in Brighton

*A complimentary stand at a premier regional antiques fair* donated by leading fair organisers:
Cooper Events Ltd and Penman Antique Fairs

Winner and 2 Runners Up will receive:

*A morning webinar followed by lunch from sponsors Online Galleries

*A Mentor Package in conjunction with LAPADA

*Collection of Millers Antiques and Collectibles books

*The opportunity to submit items for sale (subject to curation) in the Young Guns – Antiques Trade of the Future foyer exhibition at Decorative Antiques and Textiles Spring Fair 2013

*An expert shopping tour of The Decorative Fair and Textiles Fair with Mark Hill

*A special Alfies Antiques Antiques are Green linen goodie bag designed by Susan Taylor which was the winning design for Alfie’s National Antiques Week 2010 competition.

Special Judges’ Award to be announced at the Awards Ceremony:

“Summer at Alfies” Alfies Antiques Market - London's largest indoor market for antiques, vintage, collectables & 20th Century Design since 1976 has donated a free booth for the months of June and July 2013. The lucky winner will have an a unique opportunity to sell their stock for free for two months at this very high profile London location where they will have the chance to meet and learn from many experienced dealers who share space at this iconic London landmark antiques centre.

This will be a special award given to one of the shortlisted Young Guns agreed by the five judges.

The Tatton Park Antiques and Fine Art Fair 12-14 April 2013 will be a homemaker’s delight this Spring with superb mahogany settees, vintage sofas, Victorian day beds, library chairs, large partner’s desks, sets of farmhouse ladder-back chairs, Windsor chairs, farmhouse tables, kitchen dressers and all kinds of decorative furniture from the past three hundred years on sale at this well established event near Knutsford, Cheshire which has been running since the 1960s and is now organised by Cooper Events.

Joining the many furniture dealers will be the exhibitors that collectors come to see selling jewellery, porcelain, fine art, English watercolours, silver and glass. Regular exhibitors with Cooper Events are Scarab Antiques who are known for their wide range of period and costume jewellery, but never keen to let the grass grow under their feet, Sue and Alan Poultney are constantly adding exciting new ideas for their appearances around the country. At their recent debut at the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair in March 2013 they unveiled a collection of exciting Lucite furniture and Art Deco lamps which were quickly picked up by an eagle eyed American trade buyer.

They will bring a similar range of decorative pieces for the home to Tatton along with some of their very collectible airtwist glass from 20th glass maker Michael James Hunter. Scarab have acquired a large collection of work from Michael James Hunter who earned his title of master glass maker from a traditional style apprenticeship served at Wedgwood glass, where from working in teams he ascended from the most basic job in the hot house to a master chairing his own team over an 11 year period.
Michael founded his own studio in 1998 with his wife Sue. He made national headlines when he collaborated with Asprey and designed and made candleholders in elegant filigree twists for the New York store in the first months of founding Twists glass studio. His first acknowledged demonstration was in 1999 at the Broadfield House Glass Museum. He was honoured with the title Scottish Artisan of the year in 2002 by Balvenie, since which time he has been awarded three other design awards for best collectible and best design to be sold in a museum or a gallery in the UK. He has exhibited his work extensively in the UK including solo and group exhibitions which include the Guild Hall London and the V&A after twice being in the distinguished final three of the British Glass technology award.

Images:
A c.2012 Mike Hunter ‘Pinkish Merletto Tear Drop’ vessel with a white Zanfirico attached cane. Signed Mike Hunter Merletto - Twist Glass£ 695-00
A c.2009 mixed multi coloured cane techniques murrine, tessuto, Zanfirico canes , rollup, blown canes. Signed and designed by Michael J Hunter of Twist Glass Studios Scotland. Named ‘Zanfirico’. £ 2595-00
A c.2007 Black Torsade Twist Glass Vessel . A technique of Incalmo & Torsade twisted canes in yellow orange and black. Signed by Michael J Hunter of Twist Glass Studios Scotland. Named ‘Teserra’. £ 875-00

For a full exhibitor list and times see Cooper Events web site via TRADE INDEX

See Scarab Antiques web site via TRADE INDEX

Cotswolds Decorative Antiques and Fine Art Fair which will this year fall on Easter Weekend from 29- 31 March 2013 - is one of Cooper Events most reliably successful events helped not just by a regular good band of exhibitors, but its proximity to the thriving antiques hemisphere of Tetbury and the magnificent Grade I listed Westonbirt School gives that extra boost.

Bouyant from her recent successful launch at Bath Decorative Fair organiser Sue Ede told Antiques News and Fairs: “The last time we coincided with Easter the fair was extremely busy. So many people want somewhere to go over the holiday period and a trip to a good quality fair, perhaps with a visit to Tetbury, makes us a prime choice.”

One of the highlights of the fair will be a collection of rare designer glass from the 1950’s shown by ceramics dealer John Newton from Yorkshire. The collection includes examples of Hyalithglas, which was made in Germany in the 1950’s.

John explains: ‘Hyalithglas is a term describing the process by which these wonderful pieces were made. Their colourful and stylish designs are very evocative of the period and offer collectors the opportunity to acquire pieces of great quality at a very affordable price.’ Originating in the late 18th century, Hyalith glass was developed in the 18th century by using manganese oxide (a metallic oxide used to colour glass amethyst or purple hues; mixed with cobalt it produces black hyalith glass.) During this period it was decorated with modern designs using vibrant enamels. In the late 18th / 19th century this type of glass was used to store light sensitive medicines. The colour remained popular into the late 1960s. Today, these vases and coffee sets appear both modern and evocative of the post-war period when art and design was undergoing dramatic changes.

Forty-two exhibitors will set up home around the central hall and rooms of venue including a few who joined Sue when she took over Bath Decorative Antiques Fair this year including Candice Horley, Surrey Ceramic sculpture boudoir art Artefact Chinese & Japanese porcelain, silk, embroideries, woodblocks & related items also a wide range of antiques & pictures and AB Antiquo, ancient Chinese art and antiques.

New exhibitors joining this time include Martin York, Cheshire with quality Moorcroft, Royal Worcester, Royal Doulton, Tudric Pewter, Galle Glass,L'Atelier- Paul Armstrong, Normandy & Nottingham, antique furniture, restorer and cabinet-maker, Meridian Gallery, Surrey, applied and decorative arts from the Victorian Gothic Revival, Arts and Crafts, Aesthetic Movement through Art Nouveau, Art Deco to Post War Modernism and beyond. Printed works include; woodblock, linocut, wood engraving techniques as well as traditional copper plate etching and aquatints.19th & 20th applied design.

Among the regulars will be Granta Fine Art, Cambridgeshire showing paintings and drawings - The 20th Century tradition works from 1910 – 2000, Plaza, London, 20th Century Jewellery, Roger de Ville Antiques, Derbyshire, specialising in 18th & 19th C British pottery particularly Staffordshire figures, Prattware, Delft, Saltglaze, Political & Royal Commemoratives and Tom King-Smith Antiques Quality 18th & 19th Century furniture.

Images: A selection of Ming Dynasty painted pottery figures, from A. B. Antiquo from Northamptonshire, with prices from £200 to £500 each, depending on rarity.

London rooftops, an oil painting (45x35cm) by the French artist Leopold Pascal (1900-1958). £1,350. To be shown by Granta Fine Art from Cambridgeshire.

A highly decorative German Hyalithglas vase superbly decorated with a modernist design utilizing vibrant enamels. Made in Ilmenau, Thuringia. C1960 Priced at £165. To be shown by John Newton Antiques, ceramics specialist from East Yorkshire.

For times and tickets see Cooper Events web site via TRADE INDEX

The Spring Antiques for Everyone from 4-7 April 2013 at The NEC in Birmingham will be the first event under the management of Dan Leyland and Pip Dawson, London based Clarion staff who have hinted at some exciting changes ahead for the summer fair. Dan Leyland told Antiques News and Fairs: "For twenty-eight years the Antiques for Everyone fairs have been a fantastic platform for dealers to show their stock to a wealth of visitors. Our loyal dealers tirelessly provide variety, good value and quality, ensuring that AFE remains a must-visit on the antiques calendar. We are really looking forward to welcoming back our regular dealers, as well as some new faces that will inevitably add even more flavour to the fair. Our feature area with Ken Bull’s mechanical pencils is set to be a source of great interest for the visitors, and we also have a project in the pipeline, which will make for an exciting feature at our next fair this summer."

In the meantime the April exhibitor list of more than two hundred and twenty will be an encouraging sign for the large following of collectors from Europe and the UK who flock to the fair three times a year.

One of the April highlights will be an exceptional collection of rare mechanical pencils from the 19th century belonging to regular NEC exhibitor Ken Bull of John Bull Antiques of Mayfair, some of which were part of a display at Masterpiece Fair 2012. From sporting to hardware pencils, figural, regal and fruit pencils, the collection epitomises the very best of whimsical British design with the majority created by English manufacturer Sampson Mordan, in addition to examples from other noted makers including Tiffany and Asprey.

Antiques TV celebrity Mark Hill wrote about the collection on his Mark Hill Publishing Blog when he saw the collection at Masterpiece Fair last year: "The collection is truly staggering – a masterpiece in its own right. Amassed across decades by eminent Bond Street silver dealer Kenneth Bull, and dubbed the KB Collection, it is perhaps the finest and most comprehensive collection of Victorian silver and gold propelling pencils in the world.”

Mark will be exhibiting at the fair again in April and will be revealing a rather special collection of his own - a range of Ricardia Art Pottery. Produced during the Jazz Age of the 1920s and 30s and made by Ricardia, once Britain’s largest and most prestigious tile company, Mark describes it as crossing the gulf between fashionable Art Deco ceramics and the unique art pottery inspired by William Morris and the Arts & Crafts movement.

Mark told Antiques News and Fairs: "The startling and vibrantly coloured glazes are immediately the most striking feature. For fans of 20th century design, they’re what happens when West German ‘Fat Lava’ ceramics meet the Art Deco movement. As the glazes were applied by hand, the colours and effects on each piece are unique. They are stunning pieces to collect."

The fair is divided into two sections, with plush room-set and gallery style displays adjacent to rows of specialist and general stands. Fine period furniture continues to be a major attraction with many leading specialists S&S Timms Antiques, Tim Saltwell Antiques, Melody Antiques, Cantelo Antiques and Sue Killinger Antiques.

The diversity and large number of specialist ceramics and glass dealers confirm the event as one of the major draws in Britain for pottery and porcelain collectors including David Scriven Antiques, Philip Carrol and Julian Eade all specialists in fine 18th and 19th century porcelain. Roger de Ville shows early English pottery, including figures by Elijah and Ralph Wood, while Catherine Hunt specialises in early Chinese Blue and White from 1500 to 1900. Wayne Hopton specialises in Moorcroft and Andrew Muir shows a superb range of Clarice Cliff pieces.

The fair is also a showcase of specialists in the European Decorative Arts Movement, including English and Continental Arts & Crafts, Art Nouveau and Art Deco from exhibitors including Hickmet Fine Art showing pieces by Emile Galle, Rene Lalique, Ferdinand Priess and Demetre Chiparus. M. & D. Moir has a range of Gallé and Lalique glass. Art Deco furniture and accessories will be on show from Scarab Antiques also known for of jewellery and studio pottery and glass. Showing fine period glass will be Mark J West who also deals in antiquities and ethnographica.

Fine art galleries provide a wide choice of styles and periods. Among the leading exhibitors in Section One will be Art of the Imagination, Art World, Billingbear Fine Art, Baron Fine Art and Saunders Fine Art who present large displays of late 19th and 20th century paintings by well-known artists including Helen Bradley, Beryl Cook, Montague J. Dawson, William Lee Hankey, Alfred de Breanski, Edgar Hunt, William Henry Mander, Antoine Bouvard, Eugene Galien Laloue, Cecil Kennedy and Dorothea Sharp.

Images:
Mark Hill Ricardi Collection
Mark J West A rectangular bowl glass with facet cut stem and foot and gilt lip ring, Bohemia c.1760
Andrew Muir A Rozenburg vase dating from around 1905, beautifully decorated all over with moths and butterflies, a rare example, measuring 15.5” tall.
John Bull Antiques Long Case clock pen and Gold Hand pen from the KB Collection.

For tickets and times see Antiques for Everyone web site via TRADE INDEX

Travelling around the South Coast a couple of years ago visiting a number of trade sources with one of my American clients, we booked ahead into Hotel Una in Regency Square, Brighton – described on the web site as a warm and friendly, elegant and fashionable boutique hotel.

This turned out to be the start of a continuing love affair with this accurately described gem of a hotel where the staff seemingly have their own charm school somewhere in the basement! Owned by Bosnian architect Zoran Maricevic and his wife Elena, this hotel is located in the heart of beautiful Brighton with the rare to find parking right opposite.

Visiting antique dealers and their couriers know how hard a twelve hour day can be on the road and this is the perfect place to collapse afterwards with a glass of wine in their discreet little bar perfect for business travellers – particularly lone ladies as I know quite well, or just disappear upstairs into one of the contemporary river themed rooms (Una is a river in Eastern Europe) of which there are twenty to choose from with luxury toiletries, bath robes and high tech entertainment. Their breakfasts are irresistible – my favourite is Eggs Benedict served in the room!

Strategically located in the heart of very fertile antique hunting territory of East and West Sussex - Hotel Una is an affordable luxury with really good rates for mid-week travellers.

See Hotel Una web site via TRADE INDEX

The BADA Fine Art and Antiques Fair from 13-19 March 2013 offers the complete luxury package – the cream of the The British Antique Dealers' Association members on show in an elegant pavilion set in one of the most salubrious areas of London, The King’s Road just off Sloane Square. The proximity of the well established Chelsea Antiques Fair and the bijou Bourbon Hanby Arcade a few steps away embellish what is already one of the major highlights of the British antiques fairs calendar.

The seven days of the fair are studded with a number of talks and events not least the annual loan exhibition which this year is ‘William Payne and the Picturesque in Devon and Wales’ which unites four private collections to show approximately forty watercolours by William Payne (1760-1830), 18th C draughtsman and landscape artist. The collections come from across Europe and have never been seen in public together before. The Exhibition will be curated by BADA Fair Exhibitor John Spink.

Regular exhibitors at the fair includeGodson & Coles exhibiting one of the highlights of the fair: the Hackwood Park bookcase, an important George III period white painted architectural library breakfront bookcase. The design is attributed to John Vardy and the carving is attributed to Thomas Vardy. English, circa 1755. (shown).

The furniture section boasts a number of important names including Lennox Cato, Holly Johnson, Edward Hurst, Shaw Edwards, Millington Adams, Frank Partridge, Rolleston Ltd, Patrick Sandberg and S & S Timms Antiques who will bring a superb quality Regency period rosewood sofa table with a beautifully figured rectangular top above two cedar-lined frieze-drawers. With original and unusual brass leopards mask handles and ormolu-mount decoration raised on elegant scrolling end supports. Circa 1825.(shown).

Period and contemporary art is always well represented at the Fair and Callaghan Fine Paintings of Shropshire who specialise in European 19th and 20th C oils and watercolours with a strong focus on works by Antoine Bouvard Snr., Marcel Dyf and Eugene Galien-Laloue, will be showing 'The flower market, La Madeleine' by Eugène Galien-Laloue (1854–1941). Signed. Watercolour and gouache. (shown)

In the Asian Art category Paul Champkins from Hanley Castle, Worcestershire will be showing a rare bronze caparisoned elephant with trunk and tusks raised supporting a circular cloisonné box and cover. The cover with gilt onion finial, the box a triple gilt rams head stylised handles. The cloisonné with floral and leaf designs on a turquoise blue ground. Chinese, 18th- or 19th C. Other exhibitors of Asian Art include Laura Bordignon.

Mark J West will be showing his usual tempting display of glass from 18th – 20th C including a pair of crystal glass champagne goblets engraved with flowers, English c 1870. (shown). Other glass dealers at the Fair include Jeanette Hayhurst and Marris Antiques of Sudbury, Suffolk.

For a full listing of exhibitors and details of events see The BADA Antiques & Fine Art Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

Caroline Penman veteran organiser of so many events across the country has never been one to let the grass grow under her feet and under her spotlight currently is the long established Chelsea Antiques Fair from 13-17 March 2013. The Fair layout has been given a complete overhaul which incorporates a diamond-shaped central space – making the fair feel a lot more open and light. She has also recruited the services of events organiser and antique dealer Alasdair Brown to dress the Fair and create atmospheric lighting and wonderful floral arrangements. In addition, there will be new there will be new catering with freshly prepared food and a bar.

With the stage set for a complete relaunch, there has been a concerted effort to improve the overall standard of stock at the event to appeal to the smart residents and visitors to the Kings Road where the Fair takes place at the Old Town Hall at the same time as the BADA Antiques and Fine Art Fair a few minutes along the Kings Road and both events together with the bijou Bourbon Hanby Arcade right opposite the road, all of whom are likely to benefit from such a range of antiques and art in a concentrated arena.

Another initiative designed to appeal to private collectors
and homemakers will be a talk from Caroline Penman to introduce the fair and its history, followed by a guided tour with an antiques expert when they will be introduced to each exhibitor who will describe their favourite exhibit.

Caroline Penman told Antiques News and Fairs: “The Chelsea Antiques Fair is the ideal destination for all those looking for that perfect painting, piece of furniture or beautiful decorative vase for their house, making it also a wonderful resource for interior designers. It's the perfect place to go, if you want to add to an already existing collection or even to start collecting as you will get the chance to talk to lots of different dealers who will share some of their expertise with you. Never has there been a better time to buy antiques, while prices are so tempting in the current climate.”

New to the roster of thirty seven exhibitors at the Fair this time is George Wakelin showing fine English and Continental furniture carvings and accessories dating from 1690 to 1900. George will be carrying on the family tradition of his father Mike Wakelin of Wakelin and Linfield who are exhibiting along the road at the BADA event and Hickmet Fine Arts, silver dealer Eastdale Antiques from Shropshire and Mark Stacey’s ‘Vintiques from Brighton.

Highlights of the fair will include the glistening jewels of T Robert of Norfolk; works of art and jewels from Shapiro & Co from Grays Antiques Market and designer costume jewellery from Monika.. 19th – 21st century paintings will be offered by Nicholas Bagshawe of St James’s as well as Baron Fine Art of Chester; Paul Mayhew and Saunders Fine Art of Solihull. Silver will be represented by Paul Bennett of George Street, London and S & A Marsh of Surrey.

Furniture includes the stylish Art Deco pieces from Jeroen Markies of Sussex; oak Furniture of Peter Bunting of Matlock, Derbyshire; 17th – 19th century furniture by Midwinter Antiques of Shropshire. Violet’s Antiques of Swansea will be displaying a myriad of objects such as treen and small items. Rugs will be represented by Pars Rug Gallery of Hampshire.

Images:
Nicholas Bagshawe: Kaspar Benedikt Beckenkamp, (German 1747 - 1828) Oil on canvas Portrait of Charles Comte d'Atois, later King Charles X of France.
M and D Moir A pair of metal footed Baccarat vases in 'baccarat green' c9 inches high, c1910, depicting flowering Datura gilded with polychrome enamel on the gilding. Original Baccarat label on one vase. Price £1,250.
George Wakelin: A 16th Century Oak Panel Depicting a Nobleman with laurel wreath. Price £875 from a selection at Wakelin and Linfield

For full exhibitor list and times see: Penman Antique Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

The annual selling exhibition organised by Alison
Davey of AD Antiques in Chipping Camden is open to the public 16-17 March, 2013.

The exhibition this year will be called Signed and Designed and will include fine British pottery by factories and designers including William de Morgan, Pilkington's Lustre, Wedgwood, Doulton, Moorcroft, Della Robia and contemporary potter Heidi Warr.

Images: William De Morgan Triple Lustre Dish "Serpent Island" Design by Charles Passenger, 11" wide, 2.5" high, C 1890
Wedgwood Fairyland Lustre Malphry Pot in the scarce Lahore design, 8.75" high, C1920

The exhibition takes place from 11 am - 4 pm at Court Barn Museum, Chipping Camden, Glos GL55 6JE

Monday 4 February 2013 saw five judges good and true of National Antiques Week Young Guns of the Antiques Trade Award, (known as #AntiquesYoungGuns on Twitter) go into lock down in a room for nearly four hours tasked with agreeing on the final shortlist for the award. No mean feat this considering that there were over fifty top notch entries from some of the most dynamic and interesting young people from all sectors of the antiques trade.

We aimed for a shortlist of ten but we simply had to extend it to twelve and even then it was tough! We really want to thank the remaining entrants not on the shortlist and we will be announcing some exciting plans to promote this important sector when the awards are over.

The shortlist of twelve have all shown the true spirit that we were looking for and are all trail blazers in their own right.

In no particular order:

THE OFFICIAL SHORTLIST FOR YOUNG GUNS OF THE ANTIQUES TRADE 2013

In no particular order:

Matt Nunn (37) runs Apsley Antiques Ltd & Fleaglass Ltd and he has been bringing the scientific antiques market to a whole new generation.

Flea Glass

Natalie Smith (32) she opened her own antique centre at only 26 years old and proves that antique centres are not an old person’s game.

Woodbridge Antiques Centre

Alys Dobbie(29) owns two vintage shops under the Nana Dobbie brand, one in Brighton and one in Lostwithiel, Cornwall, and is causing a stir in the 20th century collectables and vintage worlds.

Nana Dobbie

Keeley Harris (36) who runs Discover Vintage & Vintage Emporium, has been causing waves from her shop in York and from the various vintage fairs she runs nationwide including Chiswick, Brighton, Somerset, Bristol and Birmingham.

Discover Vintage

Paul Jones (29) runs Morgan Fairs and also owns his own shop in Cheshire specialising in Victorian pine and country furniture, and also selling smaller items including books, folk art & kitchenalia.

P Jones Antiques

Robbie Timms (30) of S&S Timms Antiques from Ampthill in Bedfordshire is one of the founding members of the original #AntiquesYoungGuns. He has been bringing a new outlook to the traditional furniture side of the trade and Robbie was behind the launch of the first antiques shop in the world to launch their very own Iphone/Ipad app.

S & S Timms Antiques

Chris Oxley (36) is another founding member of the #AntiquesYoungGuns. He has been bringing a young outlook to the traditional world of longcase clocks.

P A Oxley Antiques

Sam Loxton (33) travels the world sourcing the finest jewellery for Lucas Rarities and has a love for the finest items. In his words: “I consider myself a champion of antique jewellery and hope to kick start a revolution against the modern jewellery which is being distributed and mass marketed worldwide”

Lucas Rarities

Kieran Mathewson (26) is a dealer in tribal art, architectural reclamation and country furniture and has carved out a career through determination and a inner love for the objects he deals in.

Kieran Mathewson

Adam Partridge (39) it is hard to believe that Adam is still a young gun, after all he is so well known within the trade, but this just proves how passionate he is about what he does.

Adam Partridge Auctioneers

Timothy Medhurst (21) has turned a childhood love of coins in a career, he is an auctioneer specialising in the numismatic world. He is determined to bring a young edge to an area of the trade that is sometimes seen as old and stuffy.

Reeman Dansie

James Gooch (30) who’s another founding member of the #AntiquesYoungGuns runs Doe and Hope a web based antiques and curios shop that aims to bring a bit of fun and showmanship to the trade.

Doe and Hope

As you can see from above we have had some truly remarkable entries from all sectors of the trade which proves once and for all that this trade has a very healthy future.

The winner will be announced at The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, Battersea, London, on 25th April, 2013.

Antiques News and Fairs would like to thank the four people who gave freely of their help and humour throughout this judging process:

Mr George Johnson himself a foxy young gun and tv antiques expert, who has contributed so much and made a number of trips across the border from his lair in The Trossachs to sit on committees and help out afterwards in various London hostelries!

Lady Kentmores

Dashing man about town, author, publisher and tv antiques celebrity, Mark Hill, also keen to assist in the after meeting meetings at well known London hostelries!

Mark Hill Publishing

The elegant and eloquent Pippa Roberts head of pr for the wonderful Battersea Fair who has contributed such sane and expert advice for our marketing plan.

Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair

Sarah Percy-Davis who always managed to find time to dispense diplomatic (and diplomacy) advice despite being chief executive of LAPADA and having two small children - how does she do that?

LAPADA

For more information see NationalAntiquesWeek

IACF Ltd organisers of Newark International Antiques & Collectors' Fair have confirmed that the new Stoneleigh Antiques & Collectors Fair will take place three times this year at Stoneleigh Park in Warwickshire. The fair will take place in the 'one day Monday' format on Monday 15 April and Monday 16 September and as a two day Friday and Saturday fair on 22 and 23 November 2013.

The event will be able to house up to 1,000 pitches – allowing the organisers to guarantee stallholders a quality trading experience come rain or shine at this entirely undercover event which is superbly located in central England, with great links via the adjacent motorway network to all parts of the country. There will be space for drive-in pitches, furniture pitches and table tops.

For more information and details of other events see IACF Ltd web site via TRADE INDEX

The first Richard Gardner Antiques's printed brochure of 2013 has hit the door mats of a illustrious client base with a number of items already sold to the early birds. This Spring brochure showcases the acquisition of a collection of William Lionel Wyllie R.A. etchings and paintings. William Wyllie RA is considered by many to be the leading British marine artist of his period, his work is in the Royal collection, the Tate, the Royal Academy, the Imperial War Museum, the National Maritime Museum, the Royal Air Force Museum, the Royal Naval Museum and many provincial galleries, he also has a wide international following. Though a superb painter in oils and master of the technique of watercolour painting, it is probably for his etching skills that he is most revered.

The full collection can be viewed on the Richard Gardner on-line brochure.

We thought that with Mother’s Day in the UK just over a week away (Sunday 10 March 2013), we would plunder the pages to offer some inspiration for sons and daughters in search of a truly unique gift this year.

How about a most spectacular ladies dressing made by master makers Betjemann, veneered in coromandel wood with brass corner and inlaid decoration and a plethora of compartments, drop down levels and boxes and bottles all with silver gilt tops each decorated in seed pearls and coral with the owner’s initial of DS. There are some envelopes and one letter in one drawer addressed to Emily Baird and it appears to be signed by DS. Richard Gardner has been able to find information on Emily and her family but so far has not been able find any family connection to DS to to confirm who this fantastic box was made for, but further research may be able to locate this information. A collector’s gem priced at £65,000 this gift could ensure a place in heaven for any son or daughter!

Homely but exquisite, this intricately carved Black Forest wooden jewellery box with a carved Spring-like tableau of a cockeral, hen and four chicks atop a bale of wheat which opens to reveal a purple velvet lined interior. The workmanship and detail is exemplary and is a rare example of a master carver of black forest art, priced at £1,750.

Also from Germany and so desirable, a charming gilt bronze singing bird in a cage. This is an original German early 20th Century model by the KEN.D company with the logo of a bird between K and G. The cage is key wound and operated from a lever to the side of the base. The bird with outstanding plumage, sings, moves his head from side to side, opens and shuts his beak as he sings and lifts and drops his tail feathers, priced at £1550.

For detailed images and more information see Richard Gardner Antiques web site via TRADE INDEX

New owners of Field Dog Fairs Charlotte and Frankie Milford who fall firmly into the Young Guns of the Trade age bracket are working with vim and vigour and expanding their roster of fairs by the week it seems! Their 2013 calendar will include two-day events at new venue Brooksby Hall, (shown), Southwell Racecourse, Towcester Racecourse and Country Cricket Ground and three-day events at Stamford Meadows, Grimsthorpe Castle and Deene Park across the counties of Nottinghamshire and Northamptonshire together with a host of Sunday events in the same region and Lincolnshire.

The “Big Antiques Weekend” at Southwell Racecourse was exceptionally well received last year and will take place on both May and August Bank Holiday 5-6 May and 25-26 August 2013.

Charlotte told Antiques News and Fairs: “We have another new event on Sunday 17 March at Brooksby Hall, Brooksby, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire and we are delighted to see so many Young Guns both visiting and exhibiting at our fairs.

The Great Antiques Voucher Giveaway” offer will continue this year. Visitors to any Field Dog Antiques or Vintage Fairs will receive an entry card to complete and drop in the competition box. At the end of each event two winners will be drawn with a 1st Prize £150 worth of vouchers to spend at a Field Dog Fairs event, 2nd Prize £50 worth of vouchers.

For full details see Field Dog Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

The first Bath Decorative Antiques Fair 7-10 March 2013 at the Pavilion in Bath, under the ownership of Sue Ede of Cooper Fairs has attracted a dazzling exhibitor list with more or less half of the original exhibitor roster from previous years during Robin Coleman’s ownership. The remaining twenty-five or so exhibitors are a mixture of some of the more decorative dealers in Sue’s Cooper Fairs cannon and some exciting newcomers from the decorative and vintage world including Nana Dobbie from Brighton, Daniel Larsson Interior from Sweden, On the Wall Antiques from Woburn, Bedfordshire, Anton and Kay from Winchcombe, Gloucestershire and Antiques Roadshow expert and author Mark Hill.

Making a debut at Bath will be Alan and Sue Poultney of Scarab Antiques who are excited to be joining the club at Bath and will be extending their range of fashionable Mid C Scandinavian jewellery and Studio pottery and glass to show Art Deco furniture and accessories. Jewellery will also make an appearance for the first time at Bath with Shapiro of London. The Court Gallery of Somerset specialising in British and European paintings, drawings and prints from 1880 to the present day will be taking one of the largest stands at the Fair and will be including a small selection of early 20th C furniture.

Returning exhibitors and members of the original line up at Bath will be Appledore Antiques, early English pottery, country and painted furniture; Cherrie and
Michael Todd samplers, pottery, paintings, Ark Angel and former owner of the Fair Robin Coleman folk art, decorative antiques, naive paintings, garden antiques, Terry and Marie Kelly, country furniture, tribal art and natural history objects, Amy Perry and Linda Townsend Bateson English and French decorative antiques, garden antique and textiles,DJ Green furniture and decorative items from 18 – 20th C, John Cornall painted furniture and folk art, Patrick Macintosh 17-20th C Country House furniture and Roderic Haugh English and Continental furniture and objects, to name a few.

London trade is well represented with Lillie Road dealer Maison Artefact and near neighbour The Trading Room from Munster Road, Hudson Grove from Church Street, Marylebone and Pimlico dealer Langston Fine Art.

Bath has been a cherished and somewhat unique regional fair for twenty-four years, known for its outstanding Trade Day. Under the new ownership the carefully compiled exhibitor list should not only ensure that the queue, which numbers elite British and European trade and maybe some from the US and usually starts to form at 9 am on the opening day, will return to the Pavilion but that the public will continue to throng in during the remaining three days to see what the new look Bath Fair is all about!

Images

A Swedish Rococo Long-case clock scraped to original paint. Circa 1770.
Price: £2,100. 
Dimensions:
H: 217cm (85.4in) From D.LARSSON Interiör & Antikhandel, Stockholm.

Large Crested Venetian Antique Octagonal Cushion Mirror - £1650.00. From On the Wall, mirror specialists from Buckinghamshire & Bedfordshire.

Lighting from Anton & K.

A sampler commemorating the Death of Nelson in 1805, commemorated with an obelisk. Great imagery including a view of a School house. Probably Scottish / borders area 65 cm square. Price £1850. To be shown by Erna Hiscock & John Shepherd from Kent.

An exceptional pair of industrial hoppers (one shown) with heavily encrusted verdigris surface £2850 pr from Roderic Haugh, Core One Antiques London.

For full exhibitor list, complimentary tickets and times see Bath Decorative Antiques Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

Galloway Antiques Fairs is set to return to the magnificent Goodwood House from 8-10 March 2013 for The Goodwood House Antiques and Fine Art Fair. Some forty nationally known and respected dealers will dress this majestic space, including The Ballroom, The Yellow Room and the Red Hall with period town and country furniture, porcelain, silver, traditional and contemporary sculpture and fine art, antique and vintage jewellery, glass, oriental carpets and many decorative items.

A number of new exhibitors will join the loyal regulars at Goodwood House in March and will include Duveen Antiques from Surrey showing a fine selection of pictures, porcelain, boxes and small pieces of furniture, Ashleigh House of Essex selling Victorian and 19th century oil paintings, Jo Bennett Original Pictures from Cheshire who will have modern and contemporary paintings and drawings,Dome Antiques of London will bring along a fascinating collection of fossils and minerals. He will be joined by fellow Londoners, Christopher Sheppard with ancient and antique glass, clock dealer City Clocks and Oriental Antiques by Robert Ricketts Antiques of Somerset.

Images:
Jo Bennett Original Pictures: A brightly coloured contemporary work of art by Shirley Cock of a seaside view 'Polperro Harbour'.
Solo Antiques A Daum miniature vase decorated in cameo and enamel with a design of fuschias, signed French circa 1910.

For times and tickets see Galloway Antiques Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

Patrick Macintosh would be the first to admit it took a while in production but his very stylish new web site could not have been launched at a better time with Bath Decorative Antiques Fair due to open from 8-10 March 2013. Patrick is a founder exhibitor at the fair and can always be relied upon to find some proper West Country House pieces for his spacious stand.

This year is no exception with a large late Victorian painted pine Bath dresser c 1880 recently repainted in house at Macintosh Antiques in an off white paint. These handsome dressers with overhanging racks were made for the downstairs kitchens and sculleries of large Bath townhouses in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Perhaps best known for period Country House furniture, mirrors and lighting, Patrick occasionally veers off course and buys something that which catches his eye and he recently found another West Country gem - a late 19th honey extractor with the original painted decoration and iron and beech handle. An unusual relic of agricultural life in lovely original condition.

The new web site and stock up-dates newsletter have been well worth the investment as Patrick told Antiques News and Fairs: "We have been delighted with the response to our new site. We have heard from some very good American clients, who have not been over for some years and they bought a number of pieces. We are really looking forward to showing at Bath - the one fair we will always exhibit at."

See Macintosh Antiques and Bath Decorative Antiques Fair web sites via TRADE INDEX

The Harewood House Antiques and Fine Art Fair returns to Harewood House just outside Leeds from 1-3 March 2013. With the fairs calendar currently packed with enticing events in March, exhibitors are working hard to try and show at all the best of the fairs and Harewood has tempted a number away from the capital to show again at Harewood following such a successful debut in 2012.

The fair takes place in the Pavilion at Harewood House and offers much to tempt visitors who include private collectors and interior designers who can expect to see a number of highlights including a rare L S Lowry drawing "Figures, Six Bells, Abertillery, Ebbw Fach Valley, South Wales" Signed and dated 1969 upper left, ball point pen on paper (4.5 x 7 inches), priced at £32,000 (shown) from Neptune Fine Art.

Silver is always a very popular purchase and the fair includes some magnificent pieces including a George l tapering tankard with domed lid, made in Newcastle in 1725 by James Kirkup, selling for £3,800 and a Charles II porringer by George Day, London, 1673, £4,800 from Jack Shaw & Co (shown). Stephen Kalms Antiques has a pair of George III silver salt cellars by master silversmith Paul Storr (1771-1844), 1819, £4,200 and a Victorian cast silver hound stirrup cup, priced at £12,000. Jewellery stands always create a wonderful sparkle and exhibiting jewellery dealers Plaza has a couple of fifties’ 18ct gold bird brooches by Chaumet and André Col priced at £1,250 and £2,200 respectively.

Specialist furniture dealer and currently appearing on the shortlist for the National Antiques Week award of Young Gun of the Antiques Trade, Robbie Timms of S & S Timms of Bedfordshire will show a fine selection of period furniture and accessories. Image shows a delightful Chippendale period mahogany wing armchair having replaced leather upholstery priced at £ 3950.00 from a selection at S & S Timms Antiques.

The fair is raising money for two charities – the homeless charity St George's in the Crypt in Leeds and the Art Fund The Art Fund

For full exhibitor list and times see ADFL - The Antique Dealers' Fair Ltd web site via TRADE INDEX

Cooper Fairs are dominating the landscape In the South West this spring with a trio of important events, beginning with The Powderham Castle Antiques & Fine Art Fair from 22 - 24 February swiftly followed by the first Bath Décorative Antiques Fair under Cooper ownership from 7-10 March and finishing with a flourish at The Cotswolds Decorative Antiques and Fine Arts Fair from 29-31 March 2013.

Powderham Is one of the region's premier events for collectors and attracts a very loyal following of visitors who return to see the regular diverse array of exhibitors.

Local dealer James Gould of Apollo in nearby Ashburton will be showing a selection of 20th century Scandinavian and European furniture and paintings contrasting with the Fine Georgian and Victorian furniture, period silver, sparkling jewellery, Oriental collector’s items, Persian carpets, collectable glass, English and Continental pottery and porcelain, clocks on display.

New to the fair and also joining organiser Sue Ede for her first Bath fair will be Pimlico dealer Timothy Langston who will be bringing a portrait of Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (c.1527- 1556). Powderham Castle has been the home of the Earls of Devon since the 16th century times when the Courtenay family fought alongside the Tudors in the Wars of the Roses and is currently home to the 18th Earl & Countess of Devon. The portrait, in oils on board, is a very rare copy, dating from around 1800, of the original by Steven Van Der Meulen (c.1543-1564). Measuring 42 x 31 ¾ inches, it will be on sale for £4,500.

Images:
James Gould - red leather swivel chair, c 1960
Timothy Langston - Edward Courtenay, 1st Earl of Devon (c.1527- 1556) of the original by Steven Van Der Meulen (c.1543-1564).dated c 1800

For full exhibitor information and times see Cooper Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

One of the highlights of the glass collectors’ calendar is just around the corner - The Cambridge Glass Fair to be held on Sunday 24 February 2013 at the Linton Village College. The fair is a positive cornucopia of delights for the glass collecting community with a stash of exhibitions and celebrities in the glass world with BBC Antique Roadshow experts Mark Hill and Andy McConnell dashing around from exhibitor to exhibition and Tweeting to their audience as they go.

The Fair always draws a good queue of both trade and collectors and the organisers Specialists Glass Fairs seem to go above and beyond to offer visitors a host of specialist events and exhibitions in addition to corralling up to one hundred of the UK’s leading glass dealers whose specialist areas include Art Nouveau and Deco glass, 18th century and Victorian glass, pressed glass, Bohemian glass and twentieth century collectable glass with many contemporary artists showing their own work.

Exhibitions include twentieth century production of the Harbridge factory in the West Midlands and examples of cut glass produced by Watford Glass, lesser known factories to British collectors as much of the production was destined for export. This foyer exhibition will be loaned and curated by Maurice and Pauline Wimpory.

Other attractions will be Whitefriars the online collectors’ forum, display entitled ‘Full Lead Crystal 1978 – 80’. Ely Stained Glass Museum will be represented as will the Paperweight Collectors Circle, the Glass Association, the Glass Circle and the Guild of Glass Engravers

The Cambridge Glass Fair features a number of regular specialist paperweight dealers and many others exhibitors carry paperweights as well. Paperweight dealer Weights-n-things carry an extensive range and can be found in the Old Hall. Just Glass, another of regular exhibitor who specialises in paperweights can be found in the East Atrium. In addition to the several specialist dealers attending the event, the Paperweight Collectors Circle will stage their regular ‘Identification Clinic’ and visitors are invited to bring along any weights or related items for inspection and discussion.

Images:
Heart of Glass 'Jack and Ball Set' by Michael Trimpol,

Andy McConnell Suncatcher for Pukeberg in Sweden.

Image Courtesy of Paperweight Collectors’ Circle Baccarat weight with a lampwork scarab beetle

From Foyer Exhibition courtesy Maurice and Pauline Wimpory Watford 'Deep Water' vase, 1958

For tickets and times see Cambridge Glass Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

Antiques News and Fairs are thrilled to see that our colleagues over at Homes & Antiques have launched their awards as part of National Antiques Week to find their favourite businesses on the high street: antiques shops, vintage stores and antiques centres.

In consultation with leading industry members and representatives from the media team which includes BADA, LAPADA, Mark Hill, The Antiques Trade Gazette and with a little input from us here at Antiques News & Fairs they have whittled down the extraordinary number of top-notch antiques and vintage businesses in this country to a shortlist of 25 in each category.

Every business on the list has been selected on the basis of excellent quality and choice, attractive displays, knowledgeable, personable service and, most importantly, an inviting and friendly atmosphere that makes you want to linger. Now it is time to know who you think should win. Simply look at the shortlists via the image link and cast your vote for your favourite – you could win a fantastic weekend away at London’s Draycott Hotel.

And if the shop you’d like to vote for isn’t on the lists, you have a chance to enter them in The People’s Choice section and, you never know, it could win an award too.

The business in each category with the most votes will be announced at the National Antiques Weeks main awards - Young Guns of the Trade at The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair in Battersea, London, on 25th April.

Among the many diverse exhibitors at The Pavilions of Harrogate Antiques & Fine Art Fair from 8-10 February 2013 there will be a strong group of silver dealers with a range of table and decorative silverware from early Georgian to Mid C20th. This popular and established fair set in the spacious purpose built exhibition halls just outside Harrogate, Yorkshire, offers much for the collector and homemaker alike with the added benefit of plenty of parking and on site restaurant facilities.

Regular exhibitors at Cooper Fairs, the silver dealers include Scarab Antiques who are also known for their jewellery and Decorative Arts displays which will soon be embellishing their range with a selection of Art Deco furniture and accessories, Jack Shaw Antiques from Ilkley, Yorkshire who will bring a range of period silver; John Newton, who in addition to antique silver has also built a reputation for supplying excellent examples of 18th, 19th and early 20th Century porcelain from many of the major UK and European factories, S & A Marsh Antiques who after trading for a time in London's Portobello Road, are now familiar faces at well established, fully vetted fairs held throughout the country and Stephen Kalms and Malka Levine based at the London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane, London WC1, a fascinating and unique underground warren of forty shops specialising in silverware of all periods.

The Pavilions of Harrogate is one of the highlights of the Cooper Events calendar twice a year and there is always a very good showing of names from the fairs circuit at this excellent venue in the affluent town of Harrogate including jewellery dealers Anderson Jones from
Yorkshire, Brieve Antiques from Clwyd, Plaza from Cheshire and Shapiro & Co. from London. The furniture specialists include well-known TV expert Mike Melody from Chester, Mark Buckley Antiques from Yorkshire.

Images:
Scarab Antiques
c.1930-40’s Evald Nielsen silver Water Jug and ebonised handle engraved with Deco line motifs. Marked clearly on the back of the jug with the signature for ‘Evald Nielsen’ – Denmark LV - Sterling Sliver - 925.S. Price: £995-00
Jack Shaw Silver
George V Novelty Pepper 'Chick' realistically chased in the form of a small chick.c 1921 Price £560.00
Weight approx 2.25ozs troy, Origin London
Maker Bertold Hermann Muller
John Newton Antiques
An impressive and stylish Victorian shell dish, Made in London 1899 by Hukin & Heath.
Weight 14 Troy Ounces Date: Year Code 1899 Condition: Excellent. Price: £725
S&A Marsh AntiquesAn extremely attractive Victorian silver wine ewer with an ornately decorated silver handle and sitting on an equally ornate pedestal foot. The whole body is decorated with flowers which are shown off well against the matted background and it has a plain silver hinged lid.
London 1866 Price £3250
Stephen KalmsSilver candlesticks made in 1830 in London by J W. Price £595.00

For times and tickets see Cooper Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

It's a vintage year for The Petersfield Antiques Fair as the event celebrates forty years during which time it has become one of Hampshire’s leading art and antiques event. Returning to The Festival Hall from 1-3 February 2013, this traditional antiques and fine art fair is a favourite meeting place for the trade and public alike, unpretentious but offering plenty of potential to find superb paintings, period furniture and objets d’art from the past four hundred years vetted by a panel of experts prior to going on sale. Organiser of the fair since 1998, Caroline Penman told Antiques News and Fairs: ‘While our Petersfield Fair continues to evolve with the changing market, we maintain a strongly traditional fair with period furniture, plenty of fine silver, jewellery, bronzes and ceramics."

Paintings by well known 19th and early 20th century British watercolourists feature on the stand of Michael St John, a specilalist dealer from California, and Graham Bentley Fine Art from Kenilworth who also specialises in illustrative works, original etchings, drawings and woodcut prints.

Among the ceramics specialists will be Catherine Hunt from Cheltenham, specialising in Chinese Blue & White, and Corrinne Soffe with 19th century English porcelain and scent bottles.

Yellow Lantern from Hove make a superb display of Georgian and Regency furniture, mirrors and candelabra; Sue Killinger from Great Missenden and Julia Harrington from Horsham offer many Georgian and Victorian small pieces and decorative items while Cantelo Antiques from the Isle of Wight specialise in Georgian and Victorian practical pieces. In other areas, Olde Time from Norfolk will be showing English and French carriage and mantel clocks, Richard Hoppe from Devon has rare scent bottles and 20th century glass, and Neville Contemporary Art shows modern paintings.

Images:
Catherine Hunt A pair of Transitional Chinese blue and white vases made during the reign of Chongzhen c1640. Excellent decoration of scrolling lotus flowers and foliage. The pattern is well painted over the bodies and the colour is very good. Perfect although the lids have been replaced by the wooden ones showing. Small firing flaws to the rim on the neck
Neville Fine Art: 'Swing Mania' by Sarah Berry, contemporary artist. 76cm x 76cm oil enamel & acrylic on box canvas.
Old Tyme: A French Empire Clock. C.1815 £5,800.

For times and tickets see Penman Antique Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

The 2013 National Antiques Week campaign is bubbling away furiously behind the scenes and the web pages will be up-dated at the beginning of December but in the meantime we have launched a National Antiques Week blog where you can tell us about news of your own planned events or send us your contact information for an application pack if you are an enthusiastic and inspired Young Gun (thirty-nine or under) or you know one you would like to nominate. Applications are open to dealers, fair organisers and auctioneers.

We have been overwhelmed with the amount of entrants so far. Even before we have officially launched an amazing and totally diverse group of young members of the trade have been in contact since our article Young Guns of the Antiques Trade by George Johnson went live.

Don't forget - phase two of the campaign for 2014 will be to find experienced and esteemed members of the trade (forty plus) to act as mentors for these valuable Young Guns - we think we may call this group Heavy Artillery of the Antiques Trade!

Image - Young Gun George Johnson with potential Heavy Artillery for our next campaign Mr John Howard, chairman of CADA

The destination city of Chester with its medieval rows and city walls already draws tourists from around the world and The Chester Antiques Fair which opens on Valentine’s Day, Thursday 14 until Sunday 17 February 2013 will no doubt tempt happy couples through the door to inspect the array of sparklers on display from jewellery specialists Plaza from Cheshire, Howell’s from Oldham,Trivett from Shropshire, Terry Robert from Norfolk and Shapiro & Co. from Bond Street who will not miss the trick and be sure to have on display a range of heart shaped gems among their range of eye-catching stock.

Other portable Valentine’s Day purchases on display will be paintings, always a major attraction at this twice a year event, organised by Penman Fairs, including traditional and contemporary oils and watercolours for both the most discerning connoisseur and the first time collector. The specialist galleries include Jo Bennett from Manchester, showing collectable works by Northern School artists, Baron Fine Art from Chester with works by Louise Rayner, Warren Williams and Helen Allingham, and Rowles Fine Art from Oswestry with 20th century paintings by Keffyn Williams, Marcel Dyf, Helen Bradley, Beryl Cook, Montague Dawson and Kay Boyce. Graham Bentley from Warwickshire and Graham Reed from Yorkshire show a range of affordable
drawings and watercolours.

Making a debut at the Fair will be Wren Gallery from Burford specialising in 20th century and contemporary works including the West Country paintings of Joan Gillchrest. Another newcomer this time will be glass specialist Jeanette Hayhurst from Tetbury, Gloucester with a collection of period and desirable glass, just right for a memorable gift!

Images:
Rowles Fine Art:
Sir Kyffin William, “Farmer with Stick”, “16” X 12”. Watercolour. Region of £15,000 - £20,000. To be shown by.
Jeanette Hayhurst:
A baluster champagne glass, wide shallow bowl set on stem comprising of a teared knop over inverted baluster and base knops, folded foot circa 1720, 6 3/4 ins. high £1750.
For a full list of exhibitors see Penman Antiques Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

The Young Guns of the Trade Awards campaign is now live - go to National Antiques Week to send us your application or nomination. Don't forget the National Antiques Week Blog for other events for National Antiques Week 2013.

George Johnson has been taking a look at the judging panel who have the difficult task of choosing the winner and two runners up and checking over the list of fabulous entries so far, this is a job we do not relish! See what George had to say Judging Young Guns - The Magnificent Five

Young Gun entries will be profile on the National Antiques Week Blog from February 2013.

With a number of exciting new exhibitors and the promise of exciting displays from important regular residents, the Winter Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair will open the doors at the recently renamed Battersea Evolution, familiar to regulars as “The Marquee” in Battersea Park from 23-27 January 2013.

Winter sparkle will be evident in the foyer display “Putting on the Glitz: Silver Screen Style of 1920s and 30s”, a collection to celebrate the fabulous Hollywood style of the inter-war years.

Glittering waterfall chandeliers, mirrored furniture, curvaceous sofas upholstered in luscious velvets and ‘hostess’ chairs in gleaming satin button-back upholstery will be set against a bold Art Deco backdrop of black, white and silver. Cocktail hour and all its appurtenances - classic shakers, glasses and gleaming trays - will feature as will early airline travel, with vintage luggage and posters.

Luxury materials such as birds-eye maple, shagreen, leather, lacquer and parchment will highlight the elegant furnishings. The tone of the display will reference the glamorous black and white films of Fred & Ginger, the lavish interiors of S.S. Normandie and the famous Hollywood interiors of William (Billy) Haines, which he created for the likes of Carol Lombard and Joan Crawford. Stock for sale in the foyer display will be drawn from some of the 140 exhibitors taking part in the Fair that specialise in this look, such as Jeroen Markies (art deco), Fiona McDonald (C20th design), Le Style 25 (C20th lighting & mirrors), Monika (fine costume jewellery & bags), Quindry (C20th with an emphasis on French style), C20C (furniture & lighting), Tim Smith-Vincent (smaller furniture, lighting & collectable glass and ceramics), Antikbar(posters), Kiki Design (C20th design, chic textiles & select antiques) and L & V Art and Design (C20th furniture and art).

Newcomers to the Winter Fair include Bie Baert from Antwerp who will share with fellow Belgian Odette Welvaars. A regular at top European fairs, Bie’s eclectic decorative style and unerring eye for colour and patina has secured her reputation as an important secret source in Belgium. Not strictly a newcomer having been a regular at Battersea with partner Christopher Jones for a number of years, Garoa Zugasti will take a solo flight for the Winter Fair with his own stand. Core One resident Christopher Jones will be also be standing. 2013 is an exciting year for Garoa with the launch of Zugasti Antiques and taking part in National Antiques Week Young Guns Awards which will culminate with a ceremony and celebration party at the Spring Battersea Fair on 25 April.

A runaway success at the Autumn Fair, Fontaine Decorative of Margate, Kent, have been ploughing their way around France to replenish their stock for the fair, having sold so well in October. Fontaine owners Kiel and Stuart took a literal ‘cabinet of curiosities’ filled with treen, plaster models, small pictures and a multitude of ephemera which sold like mad and was part of a trend at the Autumn fair for really quite traditional accessories such as treen, oak side tables, candle boxes, corner cupboards and open shelves. Another exhibitor Andrew Collier who sells oddities, curiosities and gentleman’s paraphernalia such as vintage and antique glassware, silver, candlesticks, chess sets and mirrors practically sold out. It will be interesting to see if this trend continues at the Winter Fair but with prices for many of these items starting at around £25, anyone can afford to leave the fair with a treasure.

Images:

Bie Baert: C18th Italian wooden angel, holding a candle, sweet expression, original paint
Zugasti Antiques French 1940's ebonized and brass mounted Louis XVI revival bookcase with three adjustable shelves and four leather faux book doors with Carrara marble top in the manner of Maison Jansen Paris. £4900
Fontaine Decorative:French Empire Gessoed and Painted Rush Seated Bench Price: £2,650.00

For full exhibitor list and times see The Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair web site via TRADE INDEX

Arthur Swallow Fairs have announced that the Antiques & Home Show at Lincoln 28-29 January 2013 has been cancelled due to extreme weather.

For more details see Arthur Swallow Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

Field Dog Fairs is a well known name in the business of antiques fairs and has been around since 1992 but nearly a year ago a dynamic duo in the form of Charlotte and Frankie Milford came along and bought the business and have in that short time added venue after venue and expanded the style and range of the fairs to include vintage and brocante.

Their Social Media approach to marketing has brought a young audience not only to the visitor line up but in the exhibitors who fully booked fairs they manage with such care – they really want everyone to have a good time!

Getting off to a flying start in 2012 their first fair at the new venue of Southwell Racecourse in Nottinghamshire was hailed as a triumph by organisers and exhibitors alike with thousands of visitors over the Bank Holiday weekend. A partnership with the Southwell Racecourse owners ensures exclusivity for Field Dog Fairs for two new dates in 2013.

The calendar for 2013 is now bulging with additional and prestigious new venues - Brooksby Hall Melton Mowbray, Towcester Racecourse Northamptonshire and Northants County Cricket Ground.

Brooksby Hall is a magnificent 16th century country house, close to the bustling market town of Melton Mowbray. Set in formal gardens and surrounded by its own 850 acre estate, the hall is one of the East Midlands best kept secrets and again clever Charlotte and Frankie have secured exclusive rights to hold their fairs there.

Incorporating The Old Hall (overlooking the beautiful gardens and 10th century church), the fabulous wood panelled Beatty Room, The Drawing Room and the Villiers Hall, are all part of the attractive package at the fair when visitors can go from room to room finding an eclectic mix of quality items, jewellery and collectables on display.

Towcester Racecourse has been described as one of the ‘most picturesque..venues in the country’. Set in beautiful parkland, with its Art Deco inspired buildings, the two-day fair will be held on the 27- 28 July, over two floors in the stunning Empress Stand with commanding views over the racecourse and countryside beyond.

The final exciting acquisition, Northants County Cricket Ground, is centrally located and this wonderful venue will play host to a two-day Antiques & Collectors Fair on Saturday 9 and Sunday 10 November, 2013

The County Ground is set in the heart of Northampton boasting one of the largest indoor venues in the region. Perfectly located for excellent links to the motorway network.

For full calendar details for 2013 see Field Dog Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX

After a lapse of a year while the venue of The Mere Golf Resort & Spa near Nutsford, Cheshire, was refurbished, The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited returns to host the Luxury Antiques Weekend at The Mere, in association with Bentley Manchester, from 25-27 January 2013. This boutique-style antiques fair is a tempting offer for a getaway weekend or day visit to a state-of-the-art hotel where the best antiques and fine art will be on display as a major diversion!

A number of the thirty exhibitors have recently shown at the inaugural Mayfair Fine Art & Antiques Fair organised by The Antique Dealers Fair Limited, which was a very successful debut for all but in particular for some of the furniture dealers including BADA and LAPADA member Robbie Timms of S & S Timms Antiques who was delighted to close the sale of an impressive Colonial piece after the end of the fair in addition to some good sales during the event. The exhibitors at the new event were delighted to see a wide range of new clients at Marriot Hotel in Grosvenor Square.

WEADA (West of England Antique Dealers' Association) members will be heading north from the West Country. Nicholas Arkell who trades from Walton House Antiques in Mere, Wiltshire, will bring a selection of fine English mahogany and accessories and Elford Fine Art now frequently seen at premier fairs across the UK will be bringing a selection of their appealing period and contemporary paintings.

Images:
S & S Timms An elegant Regency period Rosewood breakfast table having well figured oblong tilt top supported by turned central column and four splay base with original brass castors Price £4950
Nicholas Arkell Antiques A good late 18th century sideboard of superb colour. £3850
Elford Fine Art 'Pride of Place' by Arthur Wardle RI (1864-1949), oil on panel, Price: £9,850

For times and tickets see The Antiques Dealers Fair Ltd web site via TRADE INDEX

With a number of very successful regional boutique fairs under her belt, former LAPADA director and specialist dealer in 18th and 19th century prints, Ingid Nilson of ADFL (The Antique Dealers' Fair Ltd has responded to requests from exhibitors for a London venue and has announced that The Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair will open at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, London W1K 6PJ from Thursday 10 until Sunday 13 January 2013 with some 40 stands. All the exhibitors are members of The British Antique Dealers’ Association or LAPADA The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers.

This prestigious location will be a valuable addition to the existing roster of events, which have been run under the banner of Luxury Antique Weekends at various salubrious hotels around the UK, since 2008 when Ingrid launched the first Linden Hall Antiques & Fine Art Fair in Northumberland, which has taken place annually ever since at the Macdonald Linden Hall Hotel. Since then, other luxury antiques and fine art fairs have been added to the stable of events.

Ingrid told Antiques News and Fairs: “For the past nine years we have been organising high-quality vetted boutique fairs around England. A number of exhibitors at these fairs have been encouraging me to open an event in London. Our luxury antiques weekends have been very well received around the country, so now we feel ready to bring our formula to the capital. The venue has been used for antiques fairs in the past and the Westminster Ballroom provides an excellent space. You could not wish for a more accessible Mayfair venue and this stylish five-star hotel boasts over 200 bedrooms and suites as well as the Michelin-starred Gordon Ramsay restaurant Maze as well as the Maze Grill.“

For more information see ADLF Ltd web site via TRADE INDEX.

Clarion Events, owners of the Antiques for Everyone Fairs in Birmingham, today announced that the management of the fairs will be moved from Birmingham to the company’s head office in London. The change will come into effect on 1 February 2013.

The new team will be headed by Dan Leyland the existing Sales Manager on the Clarion-owned Olympia Fine Art & Antiques Fairs. Dan joined the Olympia fairs in 2010 and has over eight years’ experience in the events business, developing large scale events both in the UK and internationally.

Mary Claire Boyd, Fair Director said, "The Antiques For Everyone shows are the largest vetted fairs outside London and we are committed to developing the fairs and offering even better service to our loyal clients. Having both the AFE and Olympia Antiques team based in London together provides a good opportunity to aggregate the experience and skills within our teams."

She went on to say, "Regarding the National Fair there are currently no plans to reinstate it but we will be talking to the dealers about what they want."

You can't keep a Young Gun down it seems - Kieran Mathewson has been blogging about one of his passions African Tribal Art on the new National Antiques Week Blog.

Kieran tells us "There is something about tribal art that evokes feelings of adventure and exploration in those who collect these magnificent pieces. You get a real sense of tribal life when holding these items in your hands. Almost as if we can relate to a lifestyle we were all once a part of, long before religion, power and wealth dominated the way we saw the world around us. The figures, masks and everyday objects that these tribes use can be traced back hundreds of years, with very little changes over that time."

Read the rest of his piece via the blog!

Tatton Park Fine Art and Antiques Fair 4-6 January 2013 heralds another busy year for Cooper Events with two exciting additions to the roster - the much loved Bath Decorative Antiques Fair acquired from Robin Coleman in June 2012 and the Bath Pavilions Antiques and Fine Art Fair a brand new event at the same venue in Bath.

Tatton Park is one of organiser Sue Ede's big success stories and the forty-five exhibitors tend to commit to this event where the Tenant's Hall and adjacent Pavilion offer such a super space for an antiques fair.

One of the highlights at the January event will be some of the paintings with a superb and very rare Picasso screen print on linen to be shown by Aylmer Fine Art. This unique piece which features the famous Peace Doves and the four faces of mankind was commissioned from Picasso to mark the festival of youth in Berlin in 1951. It is in excellent condition, framed and there are only a few known examples remaining. One example featured in the Tate Liverpool 2010 exhibition, Picasso: Peace and Freedom. Price £3,750.

A regular exhibitor at a number of Cooper fairs is Cloud Gallery based in Cheshire and Sussex, contemporary Fine Art specialists who represent some of the country's leading award winning artists including Adam Barsby awarded ‘Best Up and Coming Artist’ in 1999, ‘Best Selling Artist in the UK’ in 2000 nominated three times for ‘Best Published Artist’ in 2001, 2002 and 2003. Image shows 'Downhill Run' Acrylic on acrylic 61x61 cms priced at £695.00.

Paintings are always a major attraction at the fair with traditional and contemporary oils and watercolours from specialist galleries including Jo Bennett from Altrincham, showing collectable works by Geoffrey Key, Sue Brown, Phil George and David C Lyons; Phoenix Fine Art from Knutsford with original watercolours by well-known 18th and 19th century English watercolourists, and Callaghan Fine Paintings from Shrewsbury with works by Antoine Blanchard, Augustine Lalou, Donald McIntyre and Marcel Dyf.

For a full list of exhibitors and details of other events in 2013 see Cooper Events web site via TRADE INDEX

Ian Butchoff owner of Butchoff one of the founding members of LAPADA, and a member of BADA has told Antiques News and Fairs about an exciting new venture which will offer collectors and designers the opportunity to purchase a selection of items unseen for up to twenty years, via an online warehouse sale. The pieces, never seen in the showroom, including a number of exquisite European cabinets from 17th – 19th Centuries, will be released over a three month period with prices below market value.

Ian Butchoff said: “Our excellent restorer teases me that if I never bought another item he would still be busy forever, but I am a squirrel and a magpie and it's time some of our vast inventory was put back onto the open market... Most have never been in our showroom and all have merit. It is exciting to have the opportunity to address people’s changing buying habits with our own on-line sale”.

Noteworthy items in the sale include a Bonheur de Jour featuring jasperware plaques, ebony and thuya (c1870), mahogany and brass jockey scales by Henry Pooley (c.1850) a pair of corner cabinets by John Watson of Oxford Street (c.1880) and a beautiful Syrian inlaid chair of sandalwood and ivory (c.1850). A pair of Blackamoor Torchere Stands (c.1870), an oversized Gentleman’s Club postbox (c.1860) and large Brass Birdcage (c.1860) are three of the more unusual pieces for sale.

The warehouse sale runs to the 15th February 2013. See the Butchoff website.

Antiques News and Fairs have confirmation from Young Guns Adam and James at Butchoff that they intend to enter the National Antiques Week Young Guns of the Antiques Trade awards campaign and we look forward to hearing about why they decided to join the business and how they feel they have influenced it with their Twitter and Facebook presence.

The London Silver Vaults in Chancery Lane, London WC2, a fascinating treasure trove of gem and silver extravaganza - fantastic gift ideas and special treats from
fine antique English silver to modern and antique jewellery and vintage watches.

Tucked away in London's business quarter surrounded by law firms and courthouses, The Silver Vaults is offering a rare chance to shop out of hours when remain open on Wednesday 5 December 2012 until 8 pm for the very first time. The Vaults are perhaps London’s most unusual shopping venue, three storeys below ground, and each shop with its own bank vault-style steel door, having been built in the late 19th century as secure storage for private customers.

While you wander around the thirty specialist shops housed in the Vaults you can enjoy live festive music and a complimentary drink with canapes. You will find affordable silver gifts such as champagne swizzle sticks, sets of coffee spoons, cocktail shakers and silver jewellery such as charm bracelets or modern gem-set designs. Special ideas for collectors might include Georgian silver sauce ladles, Hester Bateman serving spoons, Georg Jensen dishes, beautiful salt cellars for the dining table, or claret jugs for wine aficionados.

For a free ticket to attend see The London Silver Vaults

We regret to announce the death on 14 November 2012 in Sydney, Australia of John Payton, aged 92, founder of London's original antiques village at Camden Passage, Islington, north London in 1959.

He and his family have continued to retain property and market interests in Camden Passage which he regularly visited until a few years ago. He had just celebrated his 69th wedding anniversary with his wife, Glen.

John's son Paul said: "He retained his enormous energy and optimism that were a trade mark of his life. He continued to report to work with my brother (also John) and I at our Sydney-based Musical Instrument business right up until 5th November.

As you know, he was immensely proud of what was achieved in Camden Passage and reflected fondly on it until the end of his days."

An inspired idea from Penman Fairs - The Guildford Christmas Antiques & Fine Art Fair from 8-9 December 2012 will bring together an enticing and festive collection of Christmas and gift inspired antiques and collectibles and offer the ideal occasion to discover truly memorable gifts and eye-catching accessories for decorating the home and the table at Christmas time.

With quality antiques, art, sculpture, jewellery and objets d'art to greet the discerning Christmas shopper and antique collector and prices from less than £20 for modest items of table silver to more than £20,000 for the finest oil paintings and furniture and will be held in G-Live's Main Auditorium, which will provide a dramatic blackout environment. G Live also has an attractive modern white marble foyer restaurant and bar for light meals and refreshments - a winning combination for the Christmas season.

Among the many special gifts, the fair has sparkling silver and jewellery from a number of exhibitors showing a range of 19th and 20th century and contemporary pieces, not only rings, bracelets, pendants and earrings but also watches, tie-pins and cuff-links, including Plaza from Cheshire, Scarab from Kent and Eastdale Antiques from Oswestry.

Fine art is strongly featured with nationally known galleries taking part. From Broadway, Worcestershire, Haynes Fine Art will be showing 18th, 19th and 20th
century paintings, from Great Bookham, Surrey, Lincoln Joyce Fine Art promise fine landscape, figural, marine and still life paintings by artists including William Lee Hankey, Margaret Heath, Dennis Pannett, Margaret Palmer and Rowland Hilder. Wren Gallery from Burford have works by the highly collectable Cornish painters Joan Gillchrest, and Cyril Croucher, the Scottish artist Jean Feeney and the sculptor Michael James Talbot among others.

Also showing mainly contemporary works will be McAllister Thomas from Godalming, Hillier Gallery from Stratford upon Avon and Neville Contemporary Art from Hampshire.

The fair will showcase a wide variety of other antiques, including Art Deco furniture, mirrors, lighting, sculpture and accessories, fine period furniture, 19th century French bronze sculptures and carpets from Pars Rugs, the Romsey company. 20th century glass is always a draw and there will be a sparkling collection on the stand of M & D Moir from the Midlands.

A committee of specialist experts will examine exhibits for quality and authenticty prior to opening.

Images:
Scarab - c.1955-65 designer abstract white metal (tests silver) olive green & brown basse-taille enamel pendant and torque. The torque is hallmarked c.1977 with the makers initial BEH. Price £225
Horace Hammond Christmas Card

For tickets and times see Penman Fairs web site via TRADE INDEX