Newark Fair

International buyers were out in force among the buyers at the busy IACF two-day event

The largest showground fairs are so extensive that it would be impossible to browse items on all the stands in one day. IACF’s Newark Antiques Fair, for example, is held on an 84-acre site with up to 2500 stands.

The art and antiques sector breathed a sigh of relief with the news that shops and centres, auction houses, markets and some fairs can reopen in England from December 2.

International Antiques and Collectors Fairs (IACF) kicked off its return to business with its first event after lockdown.

Sellers and buyers hit the ground running to make the most of the early-morning bargains

“What’s the death on this snuff mull?” asks Tom Hurst, a dealer in African and Oceanic art attending Newark to buy for his online shop and in preparation for his first stand at Tribal Art London in 2019.

One of the aspects of the antiques fairs which are so much a part of the trade’s lifeblood is often their sheer longevity.

IACF came up with some interesting leads this year and featured stories included Joe Mitchell, an event administrator for IACF who is an embroiderer, working for international costume designers.

Back in the day, the most common overseas buyer at IACF Newark would have been American. However, a larger number now hails from the Far East, with visitors from Korea, Japan and Taiwan making up 30% of the overseas buyer numbers at the East Midlands event, according to IACF estimates.

Stock-buying trips prove successful for one American as she heads back to Blighty once more...