The organisers of this wonderful fair say
"The Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair has led the way as the antiques event for interior design, and was the first in the UK to offer a ‘look’ for decorating. From relatively modest beginnings in 1985, we have grown to encompass more than 140 exhibitors from across the UK and Europe.
Expect to find a wealth of wonderful period design: anything from £15 vintage French wine glasses to valuable paintings by well-known modern British and contemporary artists such as Barbara Hepworth and David Hockney, Peter Blake and Banksy.
Antiques dating from the 17th century to the 20th century abound. Art Deco, post-war and later 20th century design makes up around one quarter of objects and furniture for sale. Unlike traditional antiques fairs, our dealers style their stands as room-sets so visitors can imagine how items might work in their own homes. Detailed information about the variety of stock is given below.
Each Fair has a carefully chosen, themed Foyer Display highlighting stock for sale by exhibitors. For example, we have featured a Jane Austen-inspired Georgian drawing room and parlour, post-war British design, the histories of chintz and wallpaper, industrial design, silver screen art deco style and ski chalet chic.
Whilst visiting, you can enjoy Megan’s Kitchen, a brasserie/café serving freshly made dishes; from croissants, pastries and sandwiches to a delicious selection of daily lunch specials, hot meals and exciting salads: champagne, wine, beers and soft drinks and afternoon tea including scrumptious home-made cakes!
A packing, delivery and export service is provided by Simon Hall Shipping Limited; upholstery and curtain-making services from E & A Wates; bespoke room panelling by L’Atelier Paul Armstrong, and an extensive selection of design reference books from Don Kelly.
We are a dog-friendly event, although we do require dogs to be kept on a lead at all times when inside the venue.
What our visitors say:
We strict-observance Modernists are wary of antiques, preferring the new to the old, but I rarely miss The Decorative Antiques Fair. Why, if I’m not looking for antiquities, do I bother ? The answer’s simple : I’m looking for well-designed objects that transcend time. If you keep your eyes open, there are still a lot about. If something looks good and works well, it doesn’t matter how old it is. SB
Congratulations. This was the first Decorative Fair my wife and I have attended, and we were most impressed. Antique Fairs have become rather boring for me, and so the inclusion of so much 20th century material was very stimulating. Above all, the quality of everything we saw, indicated that you choose your “stall-holders” with considerable care. JB
We would like to congratulate all those who participated in organizing The Autumn Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, which we attended on Sunday 5th. We had the most wonderful day… being able to speak with a great many of the exhibitors from whom we gained a great deal of information was a pleasure as always. AR
Greatly enjoyed your Antiques Fair. The complementary entrance and coach travel from Sloane Square for two was much appreciated. Thank you. SR
The variety at the Fairs is immense. You will always find:
Decorative and painted furniture
Traditional English wood furniture
Art Deco and post-war modern design
Lighting from 18th century rococo chandeliers to modernist 1960’s floor lamps
Mirrors from carved & gilded or Venetian, to painted over-mantels
Textiles for wall decoration or practical application, embroideries, linens, rugs and kilims
Upholstered and leather furniture
Garden and outdoor furniture and ornament
Original fine and decorative art, from medieval to 21st century, including prints and posters
Sculpture, figurative and abstract; antique, modern and contemporary
Design schemes are also about the personal touch, and the Fair also caters to collectors of objects and works of art from the 17th to 21st centuries, with dealers in:
Fine vintage and antique glass also practical glassware such as decanters, drinking vessels and vases
Sculpture and garden statuary
Ceramics and porcelain
Paintings and prints
Kitchenalia and gardening antiques
Jewellery – fine, couture and costume, as well as vintage handbags and luggage
Collectors’ items from snuff boxes to antiquities, from tribal art to toys and games
Folk art, treen and country antiques such as bowls and woven baskets,
Metalware such as weathervanes and fireplace accessories
Silverware and cutlery and other table accessories
The unique aspect of the Decorative Antiques & Textiles Fair, and for which it is renowned, is the eccentric and the unusual: dealers have a great eye for spotting objects that work as decorative highlights in a home, such as:
Industrial and factory furniture
Architectural antiques and salvage including antique fire surrounds and gates
Shop fronts, signage and fittings, and other retail accessories and props
Reclaimed antiques & vintage items transformed in to decorative pieces such as lamps, mirrors, sculpture
Natural history items and objets trouvés such as fossils, antlers and taxidermy
Every care is taken in assessing the genuineness of the goods for sale however the Standards Committee and Organisers do not hold themselves responsible for nor warrant the authenticity of any article exhibited but assure all visitors that every attempt has been made to ensure the accuracy of their description."
We hope to see you on our stand at this exciting decorative antiques fair.