Woolley & Wallis has launched a salaried internship running for an 18-month period.
Applications are now invited for the position that will begin in September.
The salaried internship will run for an 18-month period and the candidate will spend a period of three months in furniture and works of art, paintings and fine art and general valuations. They will then have a choice of three from European ceramics or design; jewellery or silver; Asian art or African and Oceanic art.
The aim is to give the successful candidate both education and experience in the antiques and fine art auction world with a full-time position in one of its specialist departments potentially available at completion of the internship.
The Salisbury firm said: “While history of art degrees still flourish, there is nowhere offering the broader training in valuations that many existing valuers and specialists benefited from in previous years. To try and redress this balance, therefore, Woolley & Wallis is launching its own internship programme.”
Art history decrease
The art and antiques valuation courses held for many years at Southampton University are much missed by the trade.
According to data from the Higher Education Student Statistics Agency, there was a 28.5% decrease in first-year university students studying history of art in the UK over the decade from 2008-18.
Although many universities are still offering history of art degrees, with some of these including the specific study of antiques within the course (for example, Leeds University’s history of art degree features a history of antique dealing module), only a handful of institutions offer specifically antiques-related courses – such as an MA in antiques at University of Central Lancashire in Preston.
Other related courses include Kingston University’s MA in art business, various craft and conservation courses at West Dean College of Arts and conservation and design history courses at The Northern School of Art in Hartlepool.
How to apply
Woolley & Wallis said the ideal candidate will already hold an arts or humanities degree and a UK driving licence is essential. Some experience in the auction, antiques or fine art world would be an advantage, as would language skills.
Applicants should send a current CV and covering letter to John Axford at chairman@woolleyandwallis.co.uk.
