Some 43 dealers will be on parade at this twice-yearly fixture and three of these are new to the event: Garrett & Hazlehurst from East Sussex with 19th century French bronzes, InVogue Antiques from Berkshire with ceramics and small furniture, and decorative dealer Jan Kay from Kent, who is not really a newcomer but has not done the fair for several years.
Carefully vetted and datelined, this is very much a traditional antiques fair which attracts buyers from across the South of England. Admission is £3.
Mrs Penman will be hoping the mood at Petersfield will match that at her West London Fair at Kensington Town Hall from January 15 to 18, where there was a good, upbeat feeling on the opening night and the good feeling lasted throughout. Attendance was also consistently good. However, those with smaller objects and pictures under £5000 had most reason to smile.
Ceramics were very popular, but possibly the happiest exhibitor was Becca Gauldie from Perthshire who could not stop selling her stock of snuffboxes, some priced up to £3000.
Sue Norman, the London dealer in blue-and-white, had a very good outing and sold much to Americans, while Mark Seabrook from Huntingdon again found a receptive market for his folk art and country items.
There was plenty of good-quality furniture on offer but top end furniture proved very difficult.
They did not all enjoy good sales but most of the 70 exhibitors have already decided to return next year.
Will mood in Hampshire match upbeat West London?
FOLLOWING her first London fair of the year, East Sussex organiser Caroline Penman moves to the country for her popular Spring Petersfield Antiques Fair which will run at the Festival Hall in the Hampshire town from February 6 to 8.
