Fairs and Markets

Like most enduring events, the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair boasts a formula both familiar and distinctive which has been tempered by gradual changes.

Lifting the lid on what it takes to be an exhibitor at a TEFAF fair, ATG asked three dealers – one American, one British and one German – to chart their preparations, concerns and hopes as they head to Maastricht for the 2018 event. Compiled by Lisa Johnson.

Galloway Antiques Fair’s next event takes place at Scone Palace, the Georgian Gothic historic house near Perth in Scotland.

Michael Todd is celebrating his 50th year in the business. At Bath Decorative Antiques Fair he offers a selection of 18th and 19th century items, folk art, samplers, naïve art and original painted furniture. He is based in Somerset.

The TEFAF Art Symposium 2018 will focus on collecting in the 21st century.

The Palladian home of the Earls of Pembroke will host the 41st staging of venerable vetted antiques fair on March 2-4.

A dazzling red and black herringbone-patterned Conklin Nozac cushion point pen and pencil set dating from 1932 and with an ability to write 7000 words before running out, is for sale at the Eastern Pen Show on March 4.

Glide through the richly carpeted, calm corridors of a TEFAF fair and it’s easy to be oblivious to the frenetic preparations that have led exhibitors to this pivotal moment in their sales calendar.

TEFAF exhibitors give their views on where ‘the greatest art show on earth’ stands today and its future. Peter Crush reports on ATG's latest 'Round Table' discussion.

The annual celebration of Mother’s Day falls this year on Sunday, March 11. Perfume bottles dating from the Victorian era, in a variety of materials and range of prices are a one-of-a-kind gift option.

Whether it’s an object saved for years or an item secured only yesterday, TEFAF will boast a wide range for sale.

Here we ask the dealers who participated in ATG's Round Table discussion the reasons why they choose to stand at the fair and ask them to pick out a star item they are taking this year.

Particularly appropriately named for Mother’s Day is Love Fairs, whose upcoming fair at Brighton Racecourse runs on Sunday, March 11.

Look around at any edition of the Decorative Antiques and Textiles Fair and there will be dealers hastily rehanging and restocking empty spaces on their stands.

Antiques dealer and fair organiser Marcus Potts is an Art Deco and early 20th century ceramics man, but he is an absolute mine of information on vintage toys.

The Specialist Glass Fair, founded in 1991 by Patricia Hier and run for 16 years by Paul Bishop, will be held on Sunday, February 25.

Kate and Mike Button of Black Dog Antiques in the market town of Halesworth in Suffolk, also run the monthly Halesworth Brocante which they launched two years ago in the town’s Old Print Works.

“We are always being asked about running our art fairs in Surrey,” said Deborah James, director with Sarah McAllister of Contemporary Art Fairs.

With several months to go before the next edition of The Art & Antiques Fair Olympia opens, fair director Mary Claire Boyd says that 2018’s event will feature a different format from past years and anticipates around 30,000 visitors to attend the revamped event.