Thursday 6 January 2011

The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, London

London's most popular event for decorators seeking unusual
Antiques and statement pieces for Interior design.  
Held in Battersea Park, close to Sloane Square and Chelsea.




In May last year I discovered the blog

TROUVAIS   (www.trouvais.com)

      Since then I had been more and more admiring  TRISH'S  posts.
They are always interesting, aesthetic and clear.
That inspired me, with encouragement over the months from Trish,
to create my own blog.
Now that I have began, Trish suggested to me,
knowing that I work with Antiques, to do a post all about the  "Battersea-Fair" in London.
 Having exhibited and sold over the past 12 years at this Fair 
and with Trish encouraging me to do a post of it.....
....what follows is the result.... 


THE DECORATIVE
ANTIQUES & TEXTILES FAIR
Three times a year in the marquee, London, Battersea Park


WINTER ANTIQUES FAIR
18-23 January 2011

The Decorative Fair is a thrice-yearly specialist event for the disceming decorator looking to source unusual English and European antiques, original 20th century designs and works of art from all periods to the present day. From opulent show-stoppers to useful furniture, around 140 exhibitors offer a broad range of both fine quality and affordable pieces for inspired interiors, in the relaxed surroundings of The Marquee in leafy Battersea Park,just over the River Thames from Sloane Square and Knightsbridge.

The Fair is fun, fashionable and particularly well-known as an excellent source of painted furniture, Gustavian and Swedish design, 20th Century design, lighting, accessories, excellent mirrors and named-design furniture. It's worldwide reputation, established over 25 years, entices international trade and retail buyers, interior designers, and private customers seeking unique and unusual furnishings and quirky accessories for decorating schemes.

***


To give an overall idea of the sort of Antiques available at this Fair these photos are a re-view of my stands over the past 12 years, mainly representing 
the kind of objects and furniture which can be still found at the Fair
(of course there are plenty more from all the other dealers)



I started in 1998 - sharing a stand with a dealer friend...

1998

19th century painted Danish drop leaf table
 
The 'look' was a bit too "opulent" for me... 
and I decided to have my own stand in

1999  



Pair of silvered Mid-18th century 'Blakers' (sconces), Nuernberg
Pair of French cast iron urns, Nap. III., 1860
Pair of 19th 'marbled' wooden pedestals



 in 1999

The French early 19th century Gueridon with it's original marble top
went to Kuweit
together....
..with this French wooden column


One of a set of three Fauteuil's, Louis XVI., ca. 1780 in its original paint
Pillows in 18th and 19th century 'Toile de Jouy'






Collection of 18th and19th century French Fayence's



in 2000

...having a rather clear line


A 18th Swedish Secretaire, ca. 1780, original paintwork
and
'Duchesse brisé' Louis XVI., ca. 1770, original paint
recovered with natural linen


a pair of French wrought iron room divider's, 1940s
on a 19th century drapers table



18th century Canapé, Louis XVI, ca. 1780
recovered with old linen hemp
and
on the wall: French Tapestry, worked in silk,
from the late 17th - early 18th century


detail of Canapé before recovered


in 2000




17th century French Banquette, Louis XIII. which went to Greece,
in front of an 18th century Périgordian French farm table in cherry wood
and
on the wall a pair of French 19th Venetian blinds, went to Texas, US



The Mid-19th century French indoor portal was bought 
by the well known British painter Sir Gordon Howard Hodgkin.

Howard Hodgkin was in 2003 appointed by Queen Elizabeth II
as a Companion of Honour.  A major exhibition of his work
was mounted at Tate Britain, London, in 2006.
Also in 2006, The Independent declared him one of the
100 most influential gay people in Britain,
as his work helps many people express their emotions to others.

*

The portal is flanked by a pair of 19th Italian-Venetian 'Gondolieri' lanterns
...

...which came back to France to live 'happily' 
in a friends Chateau nearby us!



This late 18th century Trumeau frame (from a Boiserie)2,20 meter high
was bought by an Antique dealer from Kentucky, US

and
a very rare and unusual French 17th century metal sconce



in 2001

A 18th century Norwegian harvest table in its original conditon



in 2002




French 19th century "Table de présentation de boucherie"
with its original marble top
in front of an 19th French back drop

on top of the table a pair of lamps, designed by myself
 made of lime stone urns with hand made and metallic painted shades



A French 19th farm table with a set of French 19th garden chairs
bought by a Greek Antique dealer from Athen
and
on the wall a pair of French late 19th painted canvas
and
an Italian 19th wooden chandelier which also went to Athen



At the same fair....



A trestle table with an 18th century French top in cherry wood
on a pair of 19th century English industrial builders trestle
and
at the back a French 19th, newly painted, Bibliotheque 
(went to Kentucky)

and by the way....the 'little' olive shrubs I bought in London for the fair
grew up to trees and living beside our pool!



in 2003


One of a pair of French 19th century draper's table
with a collection of 19th Italian storage jars
and a pair of English 19th terracotta garden urns

19th century French Meuble de magasin
-new paintwork-
and
a pair of 19th French wall lights

A early 20th century German sofa, rather simple,
but recovered with a rough hemp it looked good.
Both rolls can be pulled out to the side to provide a day bed to have an afternoon snooze!
Bought by Antique dealers from New England, US


in 2004

20th century design meets the past.....






Danish 19th century trestle (or tavern) table, went to California, with
a set of 8 Arne Jacobsen chairs, made by Fritz Hansen 1970s
and
at the back an 18th century German wedding trunk from Black Forest
which went to a Swiss Chalet in Gstaad 
and


on top of the trunk a pair of table lamps, designed by myself,
made of French 19th century cast iron bath feet with
hand made and -painted shades 



The second draper's table (from a pair)
with another collection of 19th century Italian storage jars....

....I'm addicted to all kind of jars and pots!
And I love particularly the Italian ones!
on the wall another beautiful pair of 19th French wall lights

The Danish trestle table in a different (autumn  fair 2003) setting
with 20th century glass objects from the 1950s
and
an 18th century French Louis XVI. mirror, ca. 1780
in its original condition


in 2005

French 18th Buffet which I painted
and
set of 4 late 18th Swedish chairs in original paintwork

19th century French work table which went to New York
and...

another collection of rare and unique 19th century Italian storage jars,
had about 28 of them and would loved to keep some for myself but...
all sold and could not find them anymore since then!



 in 2006

French 19th painted shop counter
and
French 1940s sunburst mirror in metall 

Pair of early 20th century French wing chairs, re-painted
and
a pair of 18th century Swedish demi-lune table with the original paint


Pair of industrial 19th French windows with new mirror glass,2,80 m high


18th century Swedish country cupboard with the original paintwork



A mix of 'this and that' - also in 2006







.....to be continued




6 comments:

  1. Was für eine spannende Zeitreise!

    Lieber Gruß!
    *Tasiaa

    ReplyDelete
  2. Dear Karin, A beautiful post and beautiful antiques. You have a fine eye for the best. I was not familiar with the "drapers tables". Long and narrow tables are my favorite tables. They are so practical.

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  3. Dear Karin, wish I could pop over the ocean to visit your lovely booths at the show. I have loved antiques all my adult life, china, furniture, silver, but we have very little access here in Canada to European, especially Gustavian or Swedish antiques. You have a very fine eye, and I am so happy to be able to visit via the blog world. Trish is a treasure, and her generous heart has gifted so many of us with information and inspiration over the last few years. Nella

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  4. Gorgeous pictures! Wish you could come across the pond to Round Top!!!!!!Maryanne xo

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  5. When I stepped into the showroom, I felt like I was in Provence.

    The scent of lavender and the sound of running water from the antique limestone fountain along with the incredible selection of French garden antiques were really impressive. If you are looking for very large garden ornaments, French planters, etc. this is the showroom to visit. A total of 15,000 square feet of the most incredible French garden antiques, French limestone fountains, fireplace mantels and the most selective collection of planters from France with immediate availability. Each piece feels real, the atmosphere is so calming and rural. A true and unique gem to be found in West Palm Authentic Provence will awaken all your senses with its most complete and genuine collection of the most distinctive French garden antiques and home décor the Mediterranean has to offer, carefully chosen by its owner an appassionato European art historian.

    Authentic Provence reflects an intimate portrait of (the south of) France where the outdoor living is saturated with the most refined yet simple garden antiques (savoir faire). Visit www.authenticprovence.com for more information.

    visit! Their website is www.authenticprovence.com

    ReplyDelete
  6. Karen, are any of your textiles for sale and if so could you please let me know how. I live in Western Australia

    ReplyDelete