Founded 19 years ago by London dealer in decorative antiques Patricia Harvey and her husband Ralph, this is still the London fair which best appeals equally to antiques buyers and interior decorators.
When launched, it was unique in assembling a roster of antiques dealers to sell stock with the burgeoning interior decoration market in mind. Over the years, that market has expanded out of all recognition and has transformed much of the trade.
Nowadays, as is apparent from the 100 or so exhibitors at this autumn fair, more and more dealers are doubling up as decorators and the two fields of business are becoming ever closer.
By its very nature, this event had instant appeal to the Americans and both East and West Coast decorators flew over especially for the fair, representing a large proportion of business achieved.
Since the Americans have stopped coming over in numbers the decorative fair has suffered, possibly more than most, but, encouragingly, it has nurtured a thriving market for adventurous private buyers and tends to attract the customers who do not shop at other, more conventional antiques fairs.
The secret of the endurance of this fair is the mix of goods.
Since the recent dropping of datelines the variety is even more alluring. There are plenty of vogueish 20th century design items on sale, but the fair still maintains a large quota of good, traditional antiques and it is up to the buyer to match the two with flair.
Having glimpsed some of the stock, some emerging trends can be spotted.
Minimalism no longer reigns supreme and Eastern influences are coming to the fore with a lot of lacquer, Anglo-Indian and ethnic work.
Indian silver from the days of the Raj is making a comeback and all these trends surely will become more marked with the exhibition Encounters: The Meeting of Asia and Europe 1500-1800, which opened last week at the Victoria and Albert Museum.
Vintage lighting continues to make an impact, and not just the 20th century classics but ornate chandeliers and Deco glam.
Wallpaper is also on the way back and this re-emerging fashion is not just represented on the stands but is illuminated at the fair by a fascinating loan exhibition of a history of wallpaper design drawn from the archives of Cole & Son, manufacturers of hand-printed wallpaper since 1873.
There are nine newcomers to this autumn's fair. These include Mollie Hogg Antique Textiles, specialising in unusual fabric from South East Asia, India and Africa; Nicholas Arkell Antiques from Dorking; Richard Steenberg with British country house furniture; Le Style 25 with Art Deco; Philippe Luigi from France with decorative antiques and Lewis & Wood with wallpapers and fabrics.
Admission is £8.
