I've just got back from the wonderful National Glass Fair, held at the Motorcycle Museum in Birmingham. Apart from meeting many friends and colleagues, the highlight of the day was buying a copy of Charles Hajdamach's new book '20th Century British Glass'. If you love glass, go out and buy a copy - now!
This weighty tome, some three decades in the making, is an undoubted masterwork. Chapters cover tableware from Deco to Modern, cut and engraved glass from Stourbridge, the vibrant studio glass movement that began in the 1960s, 'modern designer greats' such as Ronald Stennett-Willson, Frank Thrower, Keith Murray, and much, much more. The coverage is breathtaking, and the detail awe-inspiring. Pieces by every factory or designer covered are illustrated with full colour, specially shot photographs, accompanied in many cases by original catalogue pages or photographs. A treu treasure trove of information.
As I leafed through it whilst talking to Charles, my feelings were mixed. I felt envy, admiration and wonder. This is a book to be picked up and read again and again - there'll always be something new to learn. There's no doubt that this will become the essential standard reference work for 20th century British glass for decades to come.

Starbucks goes antique?

In today's Evening Standard, City Spy revealed that global coffee chain Starbucks was excited about the imminent redecoration of all its UK stores. Rather than the bland, blond wood, laminate floored, Ikea look we're all used to, a "retro" style will be ushered in. Apparently the "antiques" to be used were sourced in Turkish bazaars, with each of their 750-ish shops gaining a truly unique look due to the individual pieces used. Although I'm somewhat suspicious, it just goes to show that even corporate giants are adopting the increasingly fashionable eclectic, retro and antique look...

Antiques: The History of an Idea

I haven't found too many books that discuss antiques from social, historical, economic or, indeed other, perspectives. So I was delighted to stumble across this book in Waterstone's last Sunday.
Professor Rosenstein is a philosopher who also has also dealt in antiques for the past 25 years, so offers us a unique view of the subject. His text is lively, easy to read and thought-provoking. Subjects covered include the definition of an antique, the cultural history of antiques and their links with civilisation and aesthetics, and the increasingly ignored skill of 'connoisseurship'. It's making fascinating and highly enjoyable reading. If you love antiques, this book crystalises and links thoughts you may already have had, and opens up a great many new thoughts too.

National Antiques Week

Hot on the heels of the Antiques Are Green campaign comes the first 'National Antiques Week' in Britain! To be held from 23rd-30th November, the week aims to encourage more people to visit their local antiques shops, auction house or fair and buy and enjoy antiques, collectables and 20thC design. A high profile team of companies and individuals, including BBC Homes & Antiques, The Antiques Trade Gazette, AntiqueNews, LAPADA, and BADA, is also actively pushing the government to support and promote the antiques and collectables industry - which contributes billions of pounds to the national economy. On that note, why not show your support and love for antiques by clicking here to sign up to the online petition now? I've just joined the hundreds who have already.
Details of all the many supporters and events will be published on Antiques.co.uk and AntiqueNews, and you can even download a free poster to show your support!

Brilliant Bushwood Antiques

I've just returned from a visit to the wonderful Bushwood Antiques, and am truly excited. Based in the beautiful countryside near Hemel Hempstead, the drive there is fantastic enough, but not as fantastic as the place itself. Over 7,500 pieces of antique furniture await you, ranging in date from the 16th to early 20th centuries, and priced from as little as £200 to over £20,000! There truly is something here for everyone from chairs to bookcases, bureaux and sideboards.

The reason for this post is that I believe Bushwood to be one of the best dealers in Britain for sourcing antique furniture gems. With over 30 years of experience, owner Tony Bush and his staff make you feel welcome and offer friendly and practical advice making it an ideal destination to buy, whatever your level of experience. So-called 'brown' Georgian, Victorian and Edwardian furniture is really making a comeback today and, although prices are beginning to rise, they're still highly affordable - especially when compared to something you might buy on the high street or in a retail park. You'll get something unique, individual and indicative of the high quality of hand craftsmanship you just don't see today. What's more, the money you 'invest' is certainly safer in a piece of antique furniture than it is a modern piece of MDF or chipboard.

Antiques Are Green

I don't ask for much, but I do ask that you support a new website and growing movement promoting the fact that antiques are green.
Furnishing your home with antiques and 20thC design not only allows you to express yourself and build a truly individual look, but it also helps save our environment. Consider the carbon footprint left by a new chest of drawers made from trees cut down in the Far East, transported to a factory, and shipped across the world for sale. When this, or an MDF or chipboard wardrobe, invariably collapses after a few years, it causes yet more environmental issues. Antiques and 20thC design have been 'green' for decades - and even centuries. Furthermore, you're not wasting your money - most high street or retail park pieces are worthless after a few years whereas, by comparison, antiques and 20thC design typically hold a firm residual value. Recycling by shopping at an auction, dealer, or fair, is wiser, more rewarding, and truly environmentally friendly.
So please visit the Antiques Are Green website as quickly as your fingers will type and sign up to show your support.