Out and About at Antique and Collector’s Fairs
May and June are always exciting times for collectors in the UK. There is always a wealth of antique fairs, country shows and country house content sales and there are many opportunities for the serious collector to increase their collection with an extra piece or two. If you are not loaded with cash you will still be able to find many bargains at the antique shows and fairs and it is always worth checking out you local auction house. You could furnish an entire house from top to bottom for a fraction of what it cost you to buy from the High Street, especially as quite a number of auction houses are including new furniture in their auctions, having struck deals with local furniture sellers.
If you are in the UK you should visit the International Trade and Collectors Fair at Newark. It is on every other month and always on a Thursday and Friday – the next one will be 9th-10th of June. The fair is huge and you can literally get anything. Look out for the stall selling French linen fabrics, they are fabulous and the stall holders are friendly and helpful. If you have a thing for far away place you should visit the stall selling antique leather suitcases and trunks – they are divine, if rather expensive.
For the collecteors of glass there is a fair in Kensington Town Hall on 12 June. Here you will find Art Deco pieces by Lalique, among others. There will also be mid century designs and contemporary glass.
The current fashion seems to be for anything vintage, Kath Kidston has built an entire business around it. There will be a vintage bazaar at Henley Town Hall, Henley-on-Thames on 18 June which will feature fashion and homeware – a very good opportunity to get your genuine 1950s prom dress.
Quite apart from the big fairs and events it is also worth checking out small local events. May villages have events, table top and car boot sales at this time of year and there are many bargains to be had for the collector.
Filed under Uncategorized | Comment (0)A Beginner’s Guide to Art Deco China
First seen at the international exhibition in Paris in 1925 Art Deco was in vougue during the 1920s and 1930s and was a great inspiration to British ceramicists. Art Deco ceramics were extremely popular. Their bright, colourful design brought a sense of fun and contemporary style to the home. The First World War had changed women’s position in society and many of them were keen to support the newly emerging female designers, such as Clarice Cliff, Charlotte Rhead and Susie Cooper.
For the collector the choices are endless – you can collect by shape, by factory, by designer, by colour, by motif or by year. Clarice Cliff’s design made at the A J Wilkinson factory were avidly collected with the new Bizarre range being especially popular. Apart from being a surface designer Clarice had also trained as a modeller and she was interested in developing glazes. The combination of these three makes her designs so interesting. While Clarice Cliff pottery can be very expensive there are affordable pieces to be had. Crocus was made from 1928 to 1964 and is one of the most affordable, while Honolulu was only made for about a year and is difficult to find and expensive. Continue reading »
Filed under Uncategorized | Tags: architecture, Art Deco, Carlton Ware, Ceramics, Charlotte Rhead, Clarice Cliff, decorative art, designer, Goldschneider, leeping deer, Myott, Poole, royal doulton, Shelley Girl, Shelley Pottery, Susie Cooper | Comment (0)