Fairs and Markets

A recently rediscovered miniature book by Charlotte Brontë (1816-55) is on offer at the New York International Antiquarian Book Fair (NYIABF) this month.

At a mid or high-end art and antiques fair buyers can comfortably get round all the stands in a day and have time to browse, consider and discuss with expert dealers. Such events have a more relaxed and social vibe to them: dealers invite their clients along and hope to meet new buyers by attracting them onto their stands with eye-catching items and displays.

Pennsylvania dealership HL Chalfant, a specialist in American decorative arts, offers a turned banister back armchair at this year’s Philadelphia Show. The chair itself was made in Pennsylvania, c.1730- 40, and is available for $35,000.

Antiques centres provide a treasure trove of objects from a wide array of dealers all under one roof and make a good destination for a trip that any antiques or vintage lover will enjoy.

At the recent Chelsea Antiques Fair a 19th century bronze bust of Isis by Pierre-Eugène-Émile Hébert was bought by an Egyptian businessman who came with no intention of buying anything specific.

Dealer promises to promote Nottingham specialist fair

The country house car boot season is back, dominated by the mammoth annual boot event held for 40 years in aid of the local Rotary Club at Wilton House.

Claire Hunt is celebrating 25 years working for the fair organiser IACF.

The largest showground fairs are so extensive that it would be impossible to browse items on all the stands in one day. IACF’s Newark Antiques Fair, for example, is held on an 84-acre site with up to 2500 stands.

The British Art Fair has been bought by Ramsay Fairs.

Dealer offers vintage and new design art after more than 30 years in family weaving company

Weather forecasters say that the Easter weekend is likely to be a sizzler and as this is a traditionally mega-busy time on the fairs and market scene there may be cheers all round across the bank holiday. Here is a short snapshot of a few events.

Now UK restrictions on international travellers have eased, the organisers of The Art & Antiques for Everyone (AAfE) fair at the NEC Birmingham are hoping for a return of buyers from further afield.

Galloway Antiques Fairs is back in North Yorkshire this spring for its Duncombe Park event.

Managing director of IACF William Thomas is building up the momentum to the bumper crowds which are expected this Easter at the two-day 'Peterborough Festival of Antiques'.

Exhibitors at the trade showpiece TEFAF Maastricht will pay significantly more for their stands this summer despite the fair being smaller and shorter than in previous years.

The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia returns for its first in-person summer event in two years – at lower prices than before the pandemic.

The French fairs calendar has developed a certain rhythmical repetition over the years but this has been changed as Covid restrictions necessitate cancellations and postponements.

News earlier this month of the discovery of Endurance, Sir Ernest Shackleton’s expedition ship, in the icy waters of the Weddell Sea in Antarctica, will surely have made the hearts of dealers and collectors of polar material beat a little faster.

There are many sounds which you might hear in an antiques centre: dealers moving objects around for display, customers talking as they enthuse over the stock and the regular ringing of tills.