ATG attended the fair’s opening day to get a taste of the objects on offer and hunt out some early sales.
The first few hours of the fair included sales of four items, plus a Martin Brothers Bird, which sold to the trade from the stand of AD Antiques, two pictures from the stand of Tom Rooth, and several items from Art Deco and Art Nouveau specialist Hickmet Fine Arts.
The fair this year includes a new Weekend Only section and runs until Sunday 18.
Early English pottery from Roger de Ville
A rare Staffordshire polychrome salt-glazed coffee pot is among the pieces available on the stand of Roger de Ville, who specialised in early English pottery. Made in 1760, the pot features a woman dressed in blue on one side and pink on the other.
“Part of the attraction of these pieces is that they are very colourful. This piece is 260 years old and it’s amazing that it has endured this long,” de Ville says.
These pieces were dashed with salt in the kiln, which helped make them particularly strong and hard. The coffee pot is available for a price in the region of £1400.
Fine art from Tom Rooth
Charles Frederik Tunnicliffe’s oil on canvas Fashion Parade (1950) is available from Tom Rooth Fine Art for £39,500.
Charles Frederick Tunnicliffe (1901-79) specialised in paintings of British birds and wildlife. His oil on canvas The Fashion Parade is ticketed at £39,500 at the stand of Tom Rooth Fine Art.
Rooth said that he has handled many works by the artist and named it as a highlight on the stand thanks to its quality and condition.
“He was a contemporary of Stanley Spencer and Kyffin Williams and this picture really calls the works of Spencer to mind,” he says.
Rotary telephones from Jeroen Markies Art Deco
One of two c.1950s bakeite telephones on the stand of Jeroen Markies.
Jeroen Markies offers a range of top-quality Art Deco furniture and notes that bakelite telephones have had a lot of attention at recent events. Made c.1950, each features an integral drawer to store phone numbers.
Furniture from Tim Saltwell
This French 19th century ormolu mounted kingwood and marquetry inlaid vitrine on stand is offered for £7950 from the stand of Tim Saltwell.
Tim Saltwell specialises in 19th century antique furniture such as this late 19th century French ormolu mounted kingwood and marquetry inlaid vitrine on stan. It has a serpentine form and the shaped top with central galleried breche d’Alep marble above three glazed doors. There is also a frieze drawer – which the previous owner had never discovered before selling the piece – which opens to a leather lined writing surface and small drawers.
It is a desirable piece thanks to the presence of many original features. Also, the three cabinet locks are stamped Clemet Linke, marking them as the work of the brother of Francois Linke.
Clocks from Clock Clinic
A Swiss glass and chrome eight day timepiece mantel clock from the Partnership of Garrard, London and LeCoultre, Switzerland, c.1940, is offered for £2300.
Featuring rose coloured glass and in great condition, this 1940s Swiss glass and chrome eight day timepiece from Garrard, London and LeCoultre is a classic Mid Century piece, said Classic Clocks’ Alastair Chandler.
“This is where the market is right now. Our traditional buyers are moving into this area,” he adds – the dealership has come to AFE with a special cabinet filled with Mid Century clocks.
Offered with its original faux crocodile fitted box, it is priced at £2300.
Saunders Fine Art features this Portrait of Quida Bergere Rathbone, wife of film star Basil Rathbone, from 1923. The picture was previously owned by a collector in Hollywood and is available for £5750 at Art & Antiques for Everyone.
