The best antiques fairs and auctions around the UK in May. Plus we round up six dealers who sell garden antiques and Olivia Ghosh gives us a glimpse of her working life at Christie’s
HENLEY DECOR FAIR
This May, we see the Henley Decor Fair once again sprawl out along the river at Henley-on-Thames, as over 150 decorative traders set up stands for this popular festival-style event. From 26th to 29th May, there will be bountiful shopping for decorative antiques, art, architectural salvage and reclaimed items from top dealers, as well as live music, cocktails, craft beer, a vintage tearoom and food stalls, with bars open until late on Saturday and Sunday. Greenlands Park, Marlow Road, Henley-on-Thames, RG9 3AP.
Online Offer: Buy One Ticket and Get One Free (limited time only until 1st May) henleydecorfair.com
FAIRS AROUND THE UK
NOTE please contact fair organisers or keep an eye on websites and social media for updates regarding these events as they could be cancelled or postponed at any time.
North & Scotland
7th Leeds Vintage Market, Kirkgate Market, Leeds, LS2 7HY. advintageous.co.uk; @advintageousvintagefairs
7th–8th Leeds Vintage Furniture & Home Fair, The Old Woollen, Sunny Bank Mills Gallery, Farsley, Leeds, LS28 5UJ. 07985 181120; roseandbrownvintage.co.uk
13th–15th Decorative Home & Salvage Show, Ripley Castle, Harrogate, North Yorkshire, HG3 3AX. 01298 27493; asfairs.com
14th–15th Antiques, Vintage & Collectors Fair, Royal Highland Centre, Ingliston, Edinburgh, EH28 8NB. 01636 676531; b2bevents.info
28th Antiques & Salvage Market, Cheshire Showground, Tabley, WA16 0HJ. 01298 27493; asfairs.com
28th–29th The Great Wetherby Racecourse Antiques and Collectors Fair, Wetherby Racecourse, Wetherby, West Yorkshire, LS22 5EJ. 01332 830444; jaguarfairs.com
Central
7th–8th Antiques, Vintage & Decorative Show, Rutland Showground, Oakham, LE15 7TW. 01691 900488; stagsheadevents.co.uk
7th–8th Shrewsbury Flea, West Midlands Showground, Shrewsbury, SY1 2PF. 07584 357808; josevents.co.uk
8th The Vintage Flea Market, New Exo Building, Lincolnshire Showground, LN2 2NA. 01298 27493; asfairs.com
13th–14th Antiques in Tents, Burton Court, Eardisland, Leominster, Herefordshire, HR6 9DN. 07974 356128; antiquesintents.co.uk
19th–22nd The Annual Buxton Antiques Fair, Buxton Pavilion, St Johns Road, Buxton, Derbyshire, SK17 6BE. 01278 784912; cooperevents.com
22nd Himley Hall Antiques and Collectors Fair, Himley Hall, Himley, Dudley, DY3 4DF. 01384 817817; himleyhallandpark.co.uk
23rd Runway Monday at Newark Antiques and Collectors Market, Newark & Nottinghamshire Showground, Newark, Nottinghamshire, NG24 2NY. 01636 702326; iacf.co.uk
29th Malvern Flea & Collectors Fair, Three Counties Showground, Malvern, Worcestershire, WR13 6NW. 01636 676531; b2bevents.info
East
1st Stately Car Boot Sale, Sennowe Park, Guist, Norfolk, NR20 5PB. norfolkchurchestrust.org.uk
1st Vintage & Antique Open Air Market, Museum of Power, Steam Pumping Station, Hatfield Road, Langford, Maldon, Essex, CM9 6QA. 07519 276507; haddonevents.co.uk
8th Antique & Collectors Fair, Sarratt Village Hall, Sarratt, Herts, WD3 6AS. 07887 648255; marcelfairs.co.uk
9th Mid Suffolk Mondays, Vintage and Collectable Fair, Stonham Barns Park, Pettaugh Road, Stonham Aspal, Suffolk, IP14 6AT. 01449 797175; stonhambarns.co.uk
15th Little Vintage Lover Fair, Mannington Hall, Norwich, Norfolk, NR11 7BB. littlevintageloverfair.com; @littlevintageloverfair
15th Grand Brocante, Glemham Hall, Little Glemham, Suffolk, IP13 0BT. ablackdogevent.com
15th Antique & Vintage Fair, Biggleswade, Eagle Farm Road, Biggleswade, Bedfordshire, SG18 8JH. 07887 648255; marcelfairs.co.uk
28th–29th Long Melford Antiques and Vintage Fair, The Old School, Long Melford, Suffolk, CO10 9DX. 07837 497617; melfordantiquesfair.co.uk
South
1st Antiques, Vintage & Collectables Fair, Village Hall, East Street, Corfe Castle, Dorset, BH20 5EE. 07790 126967; cameofairs.co.uk
1st Brighton Antiques, Collectables & Vintage Fair, Brighton Racecourse, Freshfield Road, Brighton, East Sussex, BN2 9XZ. 01293 690777; lovefairs.com
2nd Wimbledon Homes & Antiques Fair, Prince George’s Playing Fields, Bushey Road, London, SW20 8TE. 01932 230946; sw19antiques.com
2nd Bank Holiday Antique & Brocante Street Market, Broad Street, Alresford, nr Winchester, SO24 9DA. acvrevents.co.uk
2nd Vintage Market at the Mansion, The Mansion, Beckenham Place Park, London, BR3 1SY. solastcenturyfair.co.uk
4th–8th The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Spring Fair, Evolution London (The Marquee), Battersea Park, London, SW11 4NJ. Pre–booking advised online at decorativefair.com
7th Vintage & Very Nice, The Assembly Rooms in Chichester. @vintageverynice; vintageandverynice.co.uk
8th Frock Me! Vintage Fashion Fair, Chelsea Old Town Hall, King’s Road, London, SW3 5EE. 020 7503 9171; frockmevintagefashion.com; @frockmevintagefair
10th & 31st Sunbury Antiques Market, Kempton Park Racecourse, Staines Road East, Sunbury-on-Thames, Middlesex, TW16 5AQ. 01932 230946; sunburyantiques.com
13th–14th The Decorative Living Fair, Eridge Park, Eridge Green, nr Tunbridge Wells, Kent, TN3 9JT. decorativelivingfair.co.uk; @decorativelivingfair
13th–15th The Petworth Park Antiques & Fine Art Fair, The Marquee, Petworth House and Park, Petworth, West Sussex, GU28 0QY. 01797 252030; petworthparkfair.com; @adflfairs
14th So Last Century Vintage Fair, Goldsmiths, University of London, New Cross, London, SE14 6NW. solastcenturyfair.co.uk
14th Whitstable Brocante, The Umbrella Centre, Oxford Street, Whitstable, CT5 1DD. 07903 286144
15th Sandown Antiques Home & Interiors Fair, Sandown Park Racecourse, Portsmouth Road, Esher, Surrey, KT10 9A J. 01932 230946; sunburyantiques.com
15th Adams Antiques Fair, Lindley Hall, The Royal Horticultural Halls, 80 Vincent Square, London, SW1P 2PE. 020 7254 4054; adamsantiquesfairs.com
21st–22nd Hackney Flea Market, Abney Hall, 73a Church Street, Hackney, London, N16 0AS. hackneyfleamarket.com
25th Wembley Park Antiques Market, Canada Lane, Canada Gardens, Wembley, London, HA9 0SJ. 01905 26100; wembleyantiquesmarket.co.uk
29th Peckham Salvage Yard, Copeland Park, Peckham, London, SE15 3SN. hackneyfleamarket.com
29th Antique & Brocante Market, Shaw House, Church Road, Newbury, RG14 2DR. acvrevents.co.uk
29th Dorking Halls Antiques & Decorative Arts Fair, Dorking Halls, Reigate Road (A25), Surrey, RH4 1SG. dovehousefineantiquesfairs.com
West & Wales
30th April–1st The International Antiques Fair of Wales, Royal Welsh Showground, Llanelwedd, Builth Wells, LD2 3NJ. 01584 873634; continuityfairs.co.uk
2nd Spring Brocante, Deans Court, Wimborne, Dorset, BH21 1QF. thedorsetbrocante.co.uk
15th Salvage Fair, Broad Street, South Molton, Devon, EX36 3AB. salvagefairs.com
21st Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, St Peter’s Hall, 62 King Street, Carmarthen, SA31 1BA. @mischievous_cow_events
21st–22nd The Anglesey Fair, Mona Showground, Gwalchmai, Holyhead, LL65 4RW. 01584 873634; continuityfairs.co.uk
28th Vintage, Antique & Makers Market, Henderson Hall, Talybont-On-Usk, Brecon, LD3 7YQ. @mischievous_cow_events
May auctions
4th Antiques & Collectables, Special Auction Services, Plenty Close, off Hambridge Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG14 5RL. 01635 580595; specialauctionservices.com
4th Collectable Books, Maps, Prints & Affordable Art, Capes Dunn, 40 Station Road, Heaton Mersey, Stockport, SK4 3QT. 0161 432 1911; capesdunn.com
10th Homes & Interiors, Sworders, Cambridge Road, Stansted Mountfitchet, Essex, CM24 8GE. 01279 817778; sworder.co.uk
11th Scientific & Musical Instruments, Cameras & Tools, Tennants, The Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5SG. 01969 623780; tennants.co.uk
12th Design, Mallams Auctioneers, Bocardo House, St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB. 01865 241358; mallams.co.uk
17th Japanese Works of Art, Woolley & Wallis, 51–61 Castle St, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3SU. 01722 424500; woolleyandwallis.co.uk
18th Five Centuries: Furniture, Paintings & Works of Art, Lyon & Turnbull, 33 Broughton Place, Edinburgh, EH1 3RR. 0131 557 8844; lyonandturnbull.com
19th Asian Art, Duke’s, Brewery Square, Dorchester, Dorset, DT1 1GA. 01305 265080; dukes–auctions.com
24th Fine Art, Antiques & Asian Art, including the Contents of Tidenham Manor, Chorley’s, Prinknash Abbey Park, Glos, GL4 8EU. chorleys.com
25th Fine Art & Antique Auction, Trevanion Auctioneers & Valuers, The Joyce Building, Station Road, Whitchurch, Shropshire, SY13 1RE. 01948 800202; trevanion.com
26th The Douglas Wilson Studio Sale, Mallams Auctioneers, Bocardo House, St Michael’s Street, Oxford, OX1 2EB. 01865 241358; mallams.co.uk
28th Costume, Accessories & Textiles, Tennants, The Auction Centre, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire, DL8 5SG. 01969 623780; tennants.co.uk
31st Modern British & 20th Century Art, Woolley & Wallis, 51–61 Castle St, Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP1 3SU. 01722 424500; woolleyandwallis.co.uk
Online Fairs
1st Stone and Sage Virtual Artisan Vintage Market 9.45am–1.30pm @stoneandsageshop; stoneandsage.co.uk
HOW TO SHOP
Click directly through to the businesses that are introduced on the @stoneandsageshop posts during the sale, and follow any instructions highlighted on the sellers’ posts. Make sure you are ready and poised to shop. If you miss any instructions or you want to purchase something, contact @stoneandsageshop for help. The exhibitors are also listed on the website.
21st The Virtual Vintage Bazaar 10am–5pm @thevintagebazaarevents; thevintagebazaar.co.uk
HOW TO SHOP
When the event opens at 10am, go to @thevintagebazaarevents and the dealers will be introduced one post at a time. All shoppers need to do is click through to the dealer and browse the stock they will have posted on their own account. Message the dealer to buy something and to arrange postage and payment. You can also access all the participating dealers on the website thevintagebazaar.co.uk during the fair.
27th Virtual Vintage Market 6pm–10pm @thewealdenbazaar
HOW TO SHOP
Visit the Wealden Bazaar Instagram account at 9am and browse the vintage traders who will be announced in lists in several posts, the day before the market. Each list includes the trader’s Instagram name, which you can click on to reach their account and to see what they are selling. The organisers also use a hashtag so that you can see sellers’ stock in one place, so keep an eye out for this, too.
Check ahead
Please contact event organisers to check for postponements & last-minute cancellations
AUCTION INSIDER
Olivia Ghosh
We peek into the working life of the junior specialist at Christie’s Old Master Paintings Department in St James’s, London
My parents are historians, so during my childhood we spent Sunday afternoons at National Trust houses and summer holidays in Italy, visiting works of art. I studied French and German at university, then did two years as a teacher in a north London academy before changing tack and studying at The Courtauld Institute for two years, followed by a fellowship at The British Museum.
In 2017 I joined Christie’s as a graduate trainee. I did three-month stints in each department, but loved Old Master art the best. Now I’m the junior specialist within a team of 10, and do all the cataloguing with the help of my colleagues. It’s like being an art detective, as you search back through auction records and archives to discover a painting’s story – some of the French records go back as far as the 1750s. It’s a privilege to handle works by artists such as Van Dyck, Pieter Brueghel the Younger, Tiepolo and Rubens. I particularly love the Regency portraits of Sir Thomas Lawrence. We sold his portrait of the 3rd Earl of Clanwilliam last July. It was the most beautiful canvas; I could have kissed it!
Christie’s is a very buzzy place and there’s a constant whirl of work. We hold two big sales a year in July and December, evening sales, and lots of online sales; here you can find beautiful things incredibly cheaply, with bidding prices starting at £100. You could buy an Old Master drawing for around the £1,000 mark.
I started auctioneering last summer – the first lot I sold was Venus and Cupid by Artemisia Gentileschi for over £2.4m. Teaching helped me with auctioneering, as you have to be aware of lots of things going on all at once! 020 7839 9060; christies.com
DEALER ROUND-UP
6 dealers selling garden antiques
Spruce up your garden for summer with pots, paving and more
Decorative Garden Antiques Tina Bird is new to the world of antiques dealing, having started her business in 2020. Her mother and aunt sold antiques at fairs when Tina was a child, and she rekindled her love for antiques and gardening during the Covid lockdowns. She now sells beautiful old benches, planters, jardinières, urns, statues and more from her base near Canterbury. We’re in love with the greenhouse on wheels, made using pieces from a c1930s French grape house. decorativegardenantiques.co.uk; @decorativegardenantiques
Garden Artefacts Graham Child is a ‘retired’ auction-house specialist who has chosen to keep himself busy with dealing in antique and vintage gardenalia – old garden tools, wheelbarrows and watering cans, metal garden signage, trugs, planters, urns, old clay plant pots, cache pots, garden seating and outdoor decoration. gardenartefacts.com; @gardenartefacts
The Home Bothy While folk art is their biggest love, Sam and Barney scour the land for other finds too, including decorative garden pieces. Stock is housed in a large warehouse near Ardingly in West Sussex, where there are cast-iron garden urns and planters, Arras bistro tables, coppers and museum-worthy watering cans among the curious and quirky objects and furniture. homebothy.co.uk; @thehomebothy
Lichen Garden Antiques Lichen specialises in garden antiques and decorative garden ornaments, including urns and planters, staddle stones, troughs, antique benches and statues. Best of all are the beautiful flagstones and paving, particularly the limestone cobbles and slips. lichengardenantiques.com; @lichengardenantiques
Martin D Johnson Based at a large new location in East Sussex (a former nunnery), Martin and Paul source fine and fun garden decoration such as large fountains, statuary, planters, furniture, arbours, and amusing sculpture (dogs especially, as pictured below). martindjohnsonantiques.co.uk; @martindjohnsonantiques
Violet Grey Decorative Caryl Tincknell runs her business from her home near Sidmouth in Devon, specialising in French garden antiques. Her stock tends to be a mix of 19th-century furniture, planters and pots. Favourites from her current inventory include several Italian cast-iron tables with marble tops, and a mid-century wrought-iron Parisian florist’s stand. violetgrey.co.uk; @violetgreydecorative
