Dorking Halls Antiques Fair.
SUNDAY
* 11th JUNE 2017*
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NEXT FAIR: 11th JUNE 2017.
Time fly's by when your having fun ...with that in mind, our June fair will be our last one before the summer break! Don't worry, we will be back again in September, (17th), but we bring this half of the year to a close with another fully booked event.
So, we look forward to seeing you in the 'Grand Hall' packed full of the most extraordinary mix of antiques on offer.
Free parking at the rear of the Halls, refreshments at the Dorking Halls café open all day and WIFI available.
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Reading through the regular trade papers it is worrying to read how much the proposed increase in business rates will impact upon the high street and particularly the antiques shop. How many of these showrooms will be able to sustain such increases especially where property values are high. Some proprietor's may look to use other sources to trade. The internet is one avenue in which
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many antique dealers have adopted to promote & sell on- line. The antique fairs also offer a great number of dealers a more
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economical means to reach a greater number of buyers and all in one location. As aptly put in a recent 'Antique & Collectors Trader, 'There will always be a desire and need for dealers and public to come together and have a real physical interaction with the objects - in other words to actually see and touch as well as buy and sell antiques'. Whilst it would be a real tragedy to see antique shops
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diminish, antiques fairs will play an increasingly valuable role for a great many dealers managing overheads and particularly to remain competitive when selling to trade & public.
'Collectors Tips':
Last month we looked at 'Streamlining' a style that encompassed the age of speed & technology rapidly emerging in the U.S.A. during the 1920s and subsequent post American Depression of the 1930s.
This month Collectors Tips looks at quite the extreme both in period, materials, style & origin. None-the-less it defined another great period in art, design & decoration revering not just the quality of craftsmanship but honoured the craftsman and one of the most influential art movements of the 19th century.
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Exhibitors At the
Dorking Halls Antiques Fair.
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*Gillian Myles*
Gillian joined the Dorking Halls fair in May 2016, specializing in quality costume jewellery from the early 20th century onwards including early Bakelite and pieces from Léa Stein (b.1936) the French artist and accessories maker, known for her compressed plastic buttons, brooches and bracelets and regarded as one of the notable & innovative early 20th century designers in 'plastic' jewellery. Twelve months later Gillian continues to enjoy & receive a regular following of buyers / collectors at the fair.
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*Malcolm & Ann Thompson*
Malcom & Ann joined the Dorking Antiques fair at the beginning of the year specializing in a wonderful selection of fine 18th & 19th century oriental ceramics in the Chinese and Japanese style.
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*Vicki Morris & Ellie Parisi*
Last month's issue included Vicki Morris & Ellie Paris & illustrated an example of an Art Deco frosted glass & chrome areophane lamp. That item has now sold but could not resist in illustrating another wonderful 'find' by Vicki & Ellie with this Art Deco frosted glass lamp below!
Interested ... do let us know and we will put you in touch with the exhibiters.
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*Angela & Steve Miller*
Angela & Steve Miller have exhibited all over the UK but now principally concentrate in the South East including the Dorking Halls. They carry a fascinating mixture of antiques from jewellery to ceramic, silver and glass and catering to differing budgets and tastes. Below is just a couple of pieces on exhibit in May - Victorian silver chatelaine constructed from chain linked filigree panels & accessories inc. note book, button hook(?) & etuis attached and a 19th century bone handled cosh. Just a taster in the variety of pieces on exhibit!
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Gothic Revival - 'The Reformed' & 'The Romantic'.
Early revival in the medieval 'Gothick' was expressed during the late 18th century by a small group of scholars with a romantic obsession in the medieval past engaging in a passion for collecting relics, rarities & curiosities of the age. Horace Walpole & William Beckford were two highly noted 18th century antiquarians who revived the the Gothic and encapsulated a decorative version in the interior of Strawberry Hill, Twickenham (now fully resorted) and Fonthill Abbey, Wiltshire (now demolished) many years before the Victorian interpretations.
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D. Halls Exhibitor: Philip Hunter
However, the gothic revival is best associated with the Victorian period and lies in the principle expression of the fervent resurgence in religion and further religious freedoms. Strong views were expressed in architecture marking a period of aesthetic rivalry between the 'classical' and the 'Gothic'. By mid-century, Gothic was greatly admired seen as representing the nation and firmly expressed by the rebuilding of the Westminster Palace (1840) after the fire 2 years earlier with its architecture by Charles Barry and interior designed by one of the most highly regarded designers of the 19th century, Augustus Welby Pugin.
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From the door handle & keys to wallpaper, furniture and floor coverings expressed Pugin's passion for colour and ornament attached to heraldic devices and his knowledge in the decorative arts of the medieval age which subsequently established the Gothic Revival reformed style. The Medievel Court at the 1862 International Exhibition, in spit of its ecclesiastical basis, was set up as a showcase to extend the influence into the domestic gothic was well as the church architecture and furnishings.
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Medieval offered a means of replacing the realties of life with romance and chivalry becoming the height of fashion. Artists and designers took inspiration from other art forms such as music and literature e.g. Sir Walter Scotts Waverly Novels' and romantic reconstruction & decoration of castles created by noted architects including William Burgess ARA , (a follower of Pugin and whom helped took organize the `1862 exhibition) such as Cardiff Castle and Castell Coch south Wales. Burgess was also a highly noted designer of the period including pieces of 'art' furniture too metalwork and jewellery.
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Due to the scale and cost in creating the 19th century Revival it was largely applied to public buildings or private house by very wealthy individuals. However, today whether you may find the Ecclesiastical, Reformed or the Romantic Gothic of interest, there are plenty of fascinating antiques at affordable prices that capture the styles and decoration in a huge variety of objects.
In literal form, arms and armour such as the chest plate above or the Scottish Broadsword with basket hilt below too the little more decorative; a pair of Gothic Revival late 19th century candlesticks, Royal Doulton flambe decorated dragon, even a zoomorphic form such as the wrought iron candlestick, possibly French (1860-1880).
D. Halls Exhibitor: Keith Baker.
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D. Halls Exhibitor:Charles Gillespie D. Halls Exhibitor: Andrew Mackenzie
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This wonderful Royal Doulton red dragon is not an early model, but produced between 1973 and 1996, designed by John Bromley (D.2013) the noted ceramic sculptor & figurine modeler for Royal Doulton, Coalport & Copenhagen.
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“When John came to the company he was already well known as a modeller. He produced the most beautiful things – he was a genius really. He could take a lump of clay and turn it into something of exceptional beauty.' The Sentinel Oct 2013.
D. Halls Exhibitor: Joanne Hayward
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Tips:
In an article by the antiques and collecting expert, Judith Miller, she comments:
In times of economic uncertainty investors look for an alternative to poorly performing stock markets and turn to something with more intrinsic value. Add the enduring desirability of great design and fine craftsmanship, and you have an explanation for the current surge of interest in antique'
This was from a newspaper article published in 2010 however, once again we are faced with an uncertain economic future so many people will reconsider doing the same again. So, if the Gothic Revival is of interest, it is a style best sourced through dealers, antiques or salvage fairs to find the authentic and plenty of publications to give you a guide. Read old auction catalogues and visit specialist sales around the UK. to give you indication on values, ask questions and view good examples in museums to see the finest examples.
As illustrated above, the variety of antiques is huge. Whilst the Gothic Revival was afforded by the wealthy, it touched all aspects of peoples daily lives including the every day domestic such as a bit of Kitchenalia; a Minton bread plate designed by A.W Pugin with the motto ' waste not want not', is a highly sought after example by collectors and also found in the V&A. Recent auctions estimated plates at £500.00 realizing between £850.00 & £1375.00.
Your first purchase doesn't have to be of a large value only costing a few pounds but apply the same principles as previous 'Tips' - think about condition, any makers marks, restoration & most importantly, do you like it?
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DORKING HALLS ANTIQUES FAIR DATES FOR 2017
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Any queries visit us on our website / Facebook / Antiques Atlas
or 07952 689717
We look forward to seeing you on
SUNDAY 11th June 2017
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