Running from January 9-12 at the London Marriott Hotel Grosvenor Square, the fair hosted 40 dealers whose sales included jewellery, art, clocks and other antiques. Organised by The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited, it is a chance for collectors and private buyers to invest in themselves after the Christmas holidays and is staged as a ‘boutique style’ event.
Visitors to the opening evening were treated to drinks and a live jazz group, to add to the luxury feel of the fair.
Thinking process
Dealers reported that, carrying on a trend notable from the back half of last year, buyers were giving each purchase plenty of thought. Not every consideration translated into a purchase.
“We wish that all dealers had done as well as others,” organiser Ingrid Nilson of The Antiques Dealers Fair Limited said. “There were some really good sales and happy exhibitors, especially considering the current uncertainties in the world, which does make some visitors reluctant to commit.”
Reports included news of M&D Moir’s biggest client, who came through on Saturday and bought an entire shelf of the dealer’s stock. Elsewhere at the fair Jeroen Markies Art Deco’s sales included a figure of Cleopatra by Demétre Chiparus, offered for £15,800, while Mary Cooke Antiques sold a pair of George III sauce tureens that were offered for £9500.
Cornelia Perquin of Precious Flora was particularly pleased with the start of the event when a raft of sales covered her costs on the opening day.
For Anthea AG Antiques, “it is lovely fair to do with a loyal following and well run. It brings in smart customers and regulars. There was a slight reluctance from people to spend, but we had good sales up to around £10,000.”
Nilson added that she was pleased that “64% of the gate was as a result of our marketing initiatives and many dealers informed us that they had met new customers”.
ADFL’s next event is The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair (May 15-17).
