BIRMINGHAM, England – The National Fine Art & Antiques Fair takes place at The National Exhibition Centre, Birmingham Jan. 16-20, 2013. Celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2013 this well respected annual event will stage an impressive display of the finest antiques and fine art for which it has an enviable reputation. Specialist dealers from across the UK offer a wide range of disciplines from pictures, furniture, silver, glass, jewelry, carpets and rugs, arms and armor; clocks, sculpture, decorative works of art and all kinds of rare collectors’ curiosities.
The fair is strictly vetted and the majority of dealers exhibiting are members of the two trade associations, BADA and LAPADA. While attracting collectors, interior designers and avid fair-goers from the Midlands, it is an ideal opportunity for those from farther afield to spend a happy day pursuing the very best each discipline has to offer.
Among the cornucopia of antiques for sale are a number of highlights including an exceptional early 19th century mahogany dining table with five original leaves, circa 1845, which would grace any dining room today, from W R Harvey & Co (Antiques) Ltd of Witney with a price tag of £20,000. Other furniture dealers at the fair include S & S Timms and Mark Seabrook Antiques. Mark Seabrook is selling a superb burr elm late 17th century three legged table which has acquired a wonderful color and patina over the years, dated 1680-1690, it is for sale at £3,500.
Antique arms and armor is a fascinating area of collecting and Garth Vincent Antiques always presents a gripping array of antique flintlock pistols, guns, military swords and suits of armour and for this fair he is bringing a cased pair of officers pistols, circa 1820, priced at £8,250 as well as a Cromwellian Pikeman’s armor, circa 1630, for £9,500.
FJ and RD Story antique clocks from Rotherham are bringing a good selection of clocks including an impressive mahogany 8-day longcase by Wright & Sellon of London, circa 1760, for £14,500. Other specialist dealers include Brian Watson Antique Glass who is exhibiting a serving bottle engraved with the arms of the Foscari family, one of the oldest families of Venice. Francesco Foscari (1373-1457) was Doge of Venice from 1423 to 1457. In 1868 the Foscari family gave their palace on the Grand Canal to the city to found the Ca’ Foscari University. It is thought this bottle was made in the latter half of the 19th century and is for sale for £3,750.
A wide selection of fine art is to be found at the fair with Campbell Wilson of Aberdeenshire bringing sketches by Joseph Edward Southall (1861-1944) including a charming pencil drawing of a head of a boy as well as other Birmingham School artists such as Arthur Gaskin (1862-1928), Sydney Meteyard (1868-1947) and Edward Steel Harper (1878-1951). Other fine art dealers include local dealer, Saunders Fine Art of Solihull, Neptune Fine Art Ltd bringing a selection of Lowry originals and Modern British artists and Art World Ltd.
The fair is renowned for its dramatic decoration and the jewelry stands sparkle amongst the ‘Black Box’ effect. Wimpole Antiques are showing a very interesting pair of enamel on gold drop ear-rings of jockeys sitting on weighing scales wearing the colors of Mrs Snewing whose horse, Caractacus, won The Derby in 1862. T Robert is bringing a fine 18 carat gold natural yellow diamond and white flower cluster which can alternate between a ring and a pendant, c 1894, for £10,000. A talking piece must surely be an 18 carat gold and ruby cartoon-size mouse by Tiffany, circa 1955-1960, £3,800 from Plaza.
And finally, amongst the quirky pieces to be found at the fair is a piqué mounted parasol with an ivory handle in the shape of a dog from Jean A Bateman Antiques of Broadway, who is also bringing jewelry and scent bottles.
Details:
Show dates Jan. 16-20.
Opening Hours: 11am – 7pm Wednesday, 11am – 6pm Thursday/Friday/Saturday, 11am – 5pm Sunday
Ticket Information: £15 including free car parking (£12 in advance)
Ticket bookings: 0844 581 0827
Refreshments: Licensed bar, restaurant and café within the fair
Organizers: Clarion Events Ltd, NEC, Birmingham B40 1NT
General Information: 0121 767 2947, antiquesnec@clarionevents.com
www.thenationalfair.co.uk
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