Although there were few individual standout sales, many ceramics specialists reported high sales volume and interest from visitors in a breadth of stock.
Porcelain specialist Julian Eade, who took a stand at the fair, said that he had “sold ceramics across my entire range to many new customers, including Chinese private and trade buyers”. Fellow exhibitor Andrew Muir, who specialises in 20th century ceramics, said that the event was his most successful AfE summer fair (which ran from July 20-23) to date adding that the fair brings in “new customers every time”.
Meanwhile, Lynways sold more than half its stock of Scandinavian studio pottery and glass. Owner Lyn Chapman said that sales continued throughout the fair and included plaques, vases, glassware and free forms.
Other porcelain specialists reporting good results were Roger de Ville, John Newton and Philip Carrol.
Old favourite
AfE is in its 31st year and runs three times annually at Birmingham’s NEC. More than 200 dealers exhibited at this edition bringing a selection of furniture, fine art and jewellery and more.
In addition to the sales there was a loan exhibition, From Victoria to George VI: Gadget, gizmos and thingamajigs, as well as talks by Judith Miller and Will Farmer.
Fair director Mary Claire Boyd said that the event “proved that there is always business to be done at the NEC. Our exhibitors rose to the challenge providing a fantastic choice of stock.”
The next fair runs from November 23-26.
