1 How did you get your start?
As a young boy I used to frequent the English antique exhibitions and fairs with my late grandmother, Dr Rebecca Beaconsfield. My enjoyment in the experience was evident and our excursions are some of my fondest memories.
Her encouragement saw me start buying and selling antique jewellery and objets from the age of nine, under the tutelage of the late great Gerald Licht of Art Deco jeweller Licht & Morrision.
2 What is your area of focus?
At Piccadilly Vaults we concentrate on the unique end of the antique and vintage spectrum. We specialise in finding forgotten items and reintroducing them back into society.
Exciting and diverse antique jewellery from all eras, rare vintage watches, and exceptional curiosities and ‘mantiques’. We always say that we don’t sell bread and butter; instead we purvey the exciting jellies and jams that top them!
An early Victorian sapphire and diamond water boatman brooch set in silver by Luigi Codevilla of Via Orefici Genova, Italy, is available to buy from Piccadilly Vaults.
3 Have you noticed any collecting trends in the last 6-12 months?
The surge in demand for unique brooches has been growing over the last year, for both women and men.
An enjoyable trend of reimagining jewellery has come to the forefront of fashion as well. Women are wearing Victorian-era Albert chains as necklaces, giving new life to an item that had been relegated to the sock drawer since grandfather stopped wearing his pocket watch and bought a Rolex.
4 What is one thing you couldn’t do without?
The ref 1680 Rolex ‘Red’ Submariner that my mother bought for me for my 25th birthday. She couldn’t tell a Nautilus from a Royal Oak but when she saw the 1970 Mark II Meters first dial Red Submariner she thought I would like it and bought it for me. She didn’t know but it was one of my holy-grail watches.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
Espresso martinis after dark…
If you would like to be featured in 5 Questions, please contact gabrielberner@antiquestradegazette.com
