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Preparations are well underway for the first of the Classic Antique Fairs of the year at the NEC Birmingham.
David Evrall of organisers InLoco Events said: “Our decision to revive the much-loved Classic Antique Fairs reflects our belief that there is no substitute for face-to-face contact between buyers of fine objects and the knowledgeable experts who sell them.”
He continued: “Having dipped our toes in the water in 2023 with a December fair, we were encouraged by the response from dealers and visitors and have booked a repeat for the end of November 2024 as well as the new summer fair running from July 12 -14.”
David said that while the antiques trade has changed in recent years with many dealers moving off the high street and onto the internet, Classic Antique Fairs believes this makes their style of high-class, face to face fair even more important. As such, for a limited time only the team will be offering complimentary tickets to the event available by emailing [email protected] or call 07395 056393 / 07789 50202.
Visitors can also take advantage of a special reduced parking rate of £8 for Classic Antique Fairs events at the NEC by pre-booking on the NEC website – a reduction from £18.95 on the day.
Tom Smith of Dovecote Antiques, who will be selling in July, said: “We do the searching for fine pieces so our customers do not have to. They come to a show like this and find everything beautifully displayed by knowledgeable dealers and it is a great buying experience.”
Midlands-based Tom said that this is his ‘local’ fair and he believes it to be the best outside London, likely to attract people from all over the UK and abroad. It suits him particularly as it has tended to have a strong focus on ceramics, his speciality and part of the area’s heritage.
The NEC is also ‘local’ for Andrew Muir Decorative Arts & Design, a leading dealer in Clarice Cliff, Moorcroft and 20th-century ceramics. Other dealers include Worcestershire-based Simon Hearnden of Berlin Walls Gallery; Jacksons Antique with a range of Decorative, Japanese and Fine Objects from all over the world; Mark Goodger with his antique boxes and tea caddies; Scottish and Scandi Designs; Plaza Jewellery and WR Harvey Antiques, specialists in fine English furniture.
Newcomers to Classic Antique Fairs are Drove House Antiques of Wiltshire, bringing their antique Parian figures and busts: and Hispanic Antiques with their focus and the art and antiques of the Iberian Peninsula. Also signed up is well-known specialist in 19th to 21st-century British & European paintings and sculptures, Rowles Fine Art.
The event will also showcase fine examples of glass, furniture, silver, jewellery, sculpture, art nouveau, art deco and 20th century art. Doors are open to the public from 10am-5pm on July 12 and 13, and from 10am-4pm on July 14.
