At over 50 years old the venerable event is one of the country’s longest running and for the last 10 years or so has been organised by Cooper Events.
The latest instalment took place on May 20-23, just days after restrictions on indoor events were eased, making it the first vetted fair of the year to go ahead. It got off to a bright start despite the inclement weather with a steady stream of sales reported on the first day.
Among them were two early 19th century earthenware garden urns which sold within 10 minutes of the fair opening for £5000 from King George Antiques from Essex.
Modern British dealer Freya Mitton made a number of sales throughout the event including a view of St Ives by John Park (1880-1962), with an asking price of £4800, a pastel of a circus performer by Rose Hilton (asking price £1650) and a study of pintail ducks by Sir Peter Scott (asking price £750).
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“Buxton was great despite the torrential rain and driving winds. As it was the first fair for a while some people travelled quite a distance to attend”, said Mitton.
“I met collectors who I had not known before, including a number who had travelled from Manchester.”
Oxfordshire dealer WR Harvey Antiques, a first-timer at the event, reported meeting “plenty” of new prospective customers. Among the items it sold was a George I walnut bureau, c.1725, with a ticket price of £5000, to a local buyer.
“The opening day was well attended as was Friday [the second day] with lots of interest in a number of items”, said the dealership’s David Harvey.
Meanwhile, Cooper Events has announced it will hold this year’s Chester Decorative Antiques & Art Fair a month earlier than the usual October slot.
It will run from September 17-19 at The County Grandstand at Chester Racecourse.
