Fifty-five exhibitors are set to attend the event, which runs from May 11-13, suggesting continued strong demand.
That number is up from 50 last year, though there are even more dealers showing under the banner of The Petworth Art and Antique Dealers Association and the Petworth Antiques Market.
The purpose-built marquee, which for the first two editions held 44 dealers, was expanded last year to admit greater numbers.
“Our focus is on targeted marketing to attract new audiences and carefully chosen venues where exhibitors and visitors feel welcome,” says fair director Ingrid Nilson of Antiques Dealers Fair Limited (ADFL). “This seems to be appreciated by our regulars, who spread the word to their colleagues,”
Seventeen newcomers are set to attend, including Blackbrook Gallery with 19th century naïve animal paintings, Flaxman Fine Jewellery, established and contemporary British art dealer Flying Colours Gallery, and Dansk Silver, dealing in Georg Jensen and other Scandinavian jewellery.
Taste for the ornate
It is ADFL’s third event of the year and Nilson says that while the market “remains somewhat challenging, some very good business has been achieved by individual exhibitors” at the fairs. “Traditional objects and art have been selling and there is definitely still a taste for ornate items and high-quality antiques,” she adds.
Among the highlights at Petworth is a c.1810 French empire ormolu mantel clock offered for £6950 by horology dealer Richard Price. It depicts Louis XIV clad as a Roman emperor. The white enamel dial is signed Bousset à Paris and the base includes a plaque of a city under siege.
The Petworth event is positioned in the calendar to fall between the two May bank holidays and – a potential bonus – precedes the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle by just a few days.
Traditional objects and art have been selling and there is definitely still a taste for ornate items and high-quality antiques
After all, as the organisers point out, the fair is a great place to stock up on royal memorabilia. A bell-shaped George II mug, for example, printed from an engraving after a painting by Thomas Worlidge, is on offer from Jupiter Antiques for £1095. And Sarah Colegrave Fine Art brings the watercolour Royal Wedding Window painted in 1981 by Barbara Dorf, which is available for £85.
Another royal connection can be found at the stand of returning exhibitor Rountree Tryon, recently granted a Royal Warrant by Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh as a specialist art dealer (see ATG 2337). The gallery offers maritime, wildlife, sporting and topographical art, and brings to the fair Portrait of a Gentleman on a Bay Horse with a Church Beyond, an oil on canvas by Alfred Munnings, offered for £950,000 among other pictures.
Other dealers attending this year include Hickmet Fine Arts, Hatchwell Antiques, Haynes Fine Art Galleries, Sylvia Powell, Precious Flora, Moncrieff- Bray Gallery and Art of the Imagination.
Under £500 at the fair ...
At Petworth, S&J Abbott Ceramics Plus is selling this c.1810 lidded sucrier from the Duesbury & Kean Factory, Derby, painted with two scenes, one of a castle at Fondi and the other near Bridgnorth, Shropshire. The painting is attributed to Robert Brewer. Measuring 3½ in (9cm) high, it is offered for £450.
