1 How did you get your start?
My husband Kevin has collected Scandinavian ceramics since the 1990s, many with beautiful haresfur glazes (where I took the name for the business). Our house was getting rather full so we decided to start selling surplus items at antique fairs in 2018. I had recently retired so took it on with help from Kevin at weekends. He will be joining me full time from next year.
2 Have you noticed any collecting trends in the last 6-12 months?
There is a growing interest in Scandinavian design in general and, in particular, items for the home such as rya rugs and wall art like tapestries and ceramic plaques as well as paintings are proving very popular.
3 What do you admire about the trade?
Dealers supporting each other. During lockdown I joined a popular online group on Instagram called @themodernvintagecollective where about 20 dealers in Mid-century furniture and design items share the work in posting pictures of their stock and promoting each other’s items as well as their own. This group has grown to have more than 8000 followers in less than two years and it led to many online sales for everyone involved during the pandemic.
An Astrakan ariel glass vase with leaf pattern in blue and underlying greeny-yellow colours by Olle Alberius. Signed as an Orrefors gallery piece '13-87' for 1987 and numbered '959490', 7in (19cm) high, it is available for £1250.
4 What challenges does the trade face now?
Antique fairs returning to normal after the pandemic is a big challenge, but one that I think will be successful as I’ve already seen an eagerness among returning buyers. I’ve had some of my best-ever events in 2021.
5 Real ale or espresso martini?
I’ve never had an espresso martini.
If you would like to be featured in 5 Questions, please contact francesallitt@antiquestradegazette.com
