Dealers at the Mayfair Antiques & Fine Art Fair (January 10-13) and Art Antiques Cheshire (February 22-24) reported that “the right calibre people were visiting but were holding back on spending large amounts, although still buying mid-priced items,” according to ADFL director Ingrid Nilson.
She added that “with the uncertainty of Brexit hanging over us all we were very pleased with the turnout” at both events.
“At Mayfair, there were a number of people just paying the full ticket price without asking for even a penny discount - a new trend for the new year,” said Art Deco dealer Jeroen Markies.
Most of his sales were furniture including a library side table in figured burr walnut.
Fellow exhibitor Nicholas Arkell from Walton House Antiques sold a mid-19th century walnut Wellington chest by Hindley & Sons of London to a US couple visiting the fair for the first time.
It was ticketed at £4000. A late 18th century mahogany cylinder desk also found buyers on his stand.
Meanwhile, Richard Price sold a Frodsham wall clock with a fully signed and numbered dial and movement with lever platform for just under £4000 and a c.1900 French swinging mystery timepiece, supported on the arm of a scantily clad maiden, for around £5000.
At the Cheshire fair, generally known as ‘The Mere’ after its golf resort venue, furniture again fared well on the stand of Mike Melody Antiques, which sold a popup piano-shaped Davenport for just under £2000 as well as a country table and six chairs priced at almost £3000.
Other top sales from that event included the statue La Fileuse by Carrier-Belluse, Rodin’s teacher, which was priced at £6500 on the stand of Garret & Hurst Sculpture.
Some exhibitors, such as silver specialist Stephen Kalms (see 5 Questions) attended both events.
He said: “We had a reasonable start to the year and met new customers at both fairs, which is encouraging. Although there is still uncertainty with Brexit, people are still happy to come and visit a quality event.”
ADFL next stages The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair from May 10-12.
