Fairs and Markets

TEFAF Maastricht has added ‘TEFAF Tribal’ as a new category to its 2018 edition in a move that points to the ongoing strength of the tribal art market.

A dispute over two 4th century BC Grecian vases offered at Frieze Masters in London by a Swiss dealer is the latest case highlighting the complexity of the ownership of antiquities.

As the popularity of the vintage home look soars, so too do the events which focus on them. Judy Berger founded her Vintage Furniture Fleas seven years ago and credits their success to a tried and tested formula.

While the French capital says hello to the new Fine Arts Paris fair, over in Namur in Belgium organisers are gearing up to mount the 41st staging of Antica Namur.

The third and final Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair of 2017 produced some significant sales in decorative furniture and beyond. Many pieces ticketed for five-figure sums found buyers during the event’s six-day run (October 3-8).

Two Cs' fair at Chateau Impney Hotel is an impressive setting but popular venue means securing dates is difficult...

In fine art, the ‘Glasgow Boys’ group of artists are famed. In the contemporary jewellery scene, the ‘Glasgow Gals’ are now in the spotlight.

Virender and Paul Rose used to have a shop in Nottingham selling vintage and mid-century pieces. Three years ago they launched the 'Lady Bay Vintage and Midcentury Fair' held in June and November. It takes place at Nottingham Rugby Club in the popular Lady Bay suburb, south of the east Midlands city at West Bridgford.

Furniture and decoratives dealer Paul Burnett from the Forest of Dean, gives an expansive welcome to buyers at his stand at a recent Two Cs antiques fair at the Chateau Impney Hotel, near Droitwich. He will be exhibiting at the organisers’ two-day fair on November 11-12.

Held on the first Sunday of the month in the centre of Faversham, the antiques and vintage market offers a wide range of items.

Paris, like London, is in full fair swing in the autumn. Once Frieze closed in the UK capital, contemporary art galleries move across the Channel to the French capital for FIAC.

As Sugar and Spice, vintage dealer Emma Newman sells vintage homewares and also organises a regular small and busy fleamarket, pictured above.

Dealers head for London looking for some pre-Christmas cheer.

“Winter Olympia falls at a time of year when it isn’t competing with 1001 other fairs and provides a good opportunity for pre-Christmas shopping,” says James Manning of Manning Fine Art.

The earliest firebacks date from the 15th century, the early days of iron casting. These were placed against the back wall of a fireplace, an important feature when that wall was made of wattle and daub or soft stone.

The Frome Independent is a well-supported monthly street market in the Somerset town which covers the centre with some 200 stalls in total.