BACA Awards 2002

This was the second year at the Dorchester, after a debut at Grosvenor House in 2000, and there are signs that this annual black tie affair is settling into the calendar.

And however dismissive some unsuccessful nominees may appear in the black moments of defeat, there are signs that winning a BACA is beginning to matter.

After a little experiment Millers, the organisers, have now fixed on a late June date as the most appropriate. Just after the hard grind of big summer fairs, when dealers are hopefully looking for a chance to relax, but before everyone disappears for their summer holidays.

Certainly there were more guests than in either of the two previous years, including several large family parties determined to have a good night out whatever the outcome of the awards themselves. New this year was a troupe of conjurors circulating among the guests with card and rope tricks to dispel the award night nerves.

The programme for the evening is as follows: a champagne reception followed by a formal dinner, the presentation of the awards, drinks at the bar and, for a surprising number of diehard party animals, dancing till 3am in the Dorchester Club.

This is a standard format for similar events in other business sectors and it is now well tuned. To their credit Millers have streamlined the prize-giving process. They have done away with unnecessary distractions including speeches from sponsors and concentrated, quite rightly, on the awards themselves.

In Eric Knowles they are blessed with a genuine all-rounder, an art market professional who is just as at home in the world of show business.
His role as the strict yet fair chairman of the judging panel, means that he is a very well informed as well as convivial host on the evening itself.

To him falls the task of setting a tone which must teeter on a knife edge between the light-hearted and the deadly serious. As an entertainer he is in the unenviable position of knowing that at the end of the evening more of his audience are going to go away disappointed than jubilant.

Such is the nature of all awards ceremonies and those who are nominated are just as torn. Some stay away altogether, being suspicious of the unaccustomed limelight or chary of the expense.

(Those who dread the idea of winning any award in case they might be expected to make an acceptance speech, please note that tears, histrionics and long votes of thanks are as yet unknown at BACA, a smile and a handshake are all that is required.)

On the night, nominees must attempt a similar balancing act between light-hearted nonchalance and nervous anticipation. After all it is hard to be present and to be seen to come second.

Perhaps it should be more forcefully emphasised that all those who reach the shortlist are potential winners and that judges often have genuine problems choosing among equals.
It would be interesting for all concerned to have a hint of just what it was that tipped the balance in favour of the winner in each category – a process which I have attempted on this page in the case of the Antiques Trade Gazette prize for the best dealer’s in-house selling exhibition.

Certainly there is no shame in being a runner-up in these
circumstances. Those who have made the shortlist can take comfort from the fact that they are in good company.

As one nominee said: “We’ve had a wonderful evening and this sort of thing is just what the antiques business needs. Public recognition of the fact that high standards are being achieved and they are rewarded. I could see this all being on the television one day.”

But he could not help admitting that he was experiencing conflicting emotions on a personal level.

“I know this is all about back-slapping and congratulating your colleagues, but you can‘t help wishing it was your back being slapped,” he grinned.

Yes, it’s the taking part that counts, and a night out at the Dorchester is not a bad way of taking part, but the smiles on the faces show that it does mean a lot to win.

Naturally this is particularly true of those for whom a night out in London is not an everyday experience. Lowe & Sons of Chester, for instance, were at the Dorchester for the second year in a row, having been a runner-up last year. They were delighted to be voted best silver dealer of the year, but they were equally chuffed that a firm from the ‘North’ really were seen to be in with a chance against some of London’s best silver dealers.

So far the BACA judges have succeeded pretty well in avoiding some of the obvious pitfalls. They have proved that last year’s runner-up can be this year’s winner and that it is possible to evaluate a small provincial business alongside a big London firm.

Millers have also been careful to avoid a situation where in some areas the same few firms would appear to be simply taking it in turns to win. They have rested certain categories and introduced new ones. Appearing for the first time this year were musical instruments, sculpture, prints, watercolours, Post War design and Art Nouveau and Art Deco.

BBC Homes & Antiques Magazine also sponsored a new award for the friendliest antique shop in Britain – not the easiest category to judge, but one that was awarded according to the votes of their substantial readership. This is perhaps a useful reminder that the public are looking for more than just excellence or choice from a dealer.

Of course, Miller’s have not got everything right. There are still situations where David seems to be pitted against Goliath and there will be eyebrows raised whoever wins, but controversy is not all bad.

The important thing is that people feel it does matter. On June 26 it was clear that people in the antiques industry do care desperately about what they do and are becoming less reticent about admitting how sweet it is to have it officially recognised that they do it well.

And what about that crazy idea of putting the whole thing on television?
Well the foundation is there.
The award ceremony format is well understood and antiques are definitely on the map as far as television is concerned.
It would be an expensive exercise, but it would be an opportunity to show dealers and auctioneers actually at work in their shops and salerooms. And it would make a serious change from those much maligned antiques game shows!