The antique market changes as fashions come and go. For many years now the business of importing antiques from the UK, selling them from salerooms, shops and private homes has proved very lucrative. But now the pound is emerging as a strong currency. This is giving South African traders a very poor rate of exchange. Therefore this practice has now reversed to some degree due to the rising interest and escalating prices in Europe of items made from 1900 up to the 1940’s. For example, a set of 6 model ‘Hornby’ cars was sold in a London auction room recently for R2 900. They were made in 1932, and the demand for this type of item increases every year.

Antique Collection

An old Jukebox made in 1939 fetched R3 200. There are still some of these about. One was seen in a record shop in Sea Point, Cape Town recently.

It was thought until recently that mahogany cased cameras were the only type that interested collectors, but interest has been quiety growing for cameras which were made in the 1920’s up to the 1940’s, especially the more unusual types, in good condition.

20th Century figures in bronze and ivory of nudes, dancing girls etc, are still in many homes in this country. Nobody really rates them as antiques. In fact, they were once regarded as being in questionable taste. In London they are fetching prices from R600 to R18 000, depending on the quality and the maker. The better figures were usually signed by the sculptor.

The bronze sections were mass produced, but the ivory was meticulously handcarved. Look for names such as Chapirus, Preiss, Colinet, Lorenzy and Perl.

As a result of the dramatic rise in the price of these items, a multitude of plaster and porcelain copies are being filtered into the market, complete with signatures. They are originating from the busy little gentlemen in the Far East.

It is the author’s opinion that good, signed Art Deco figures will continue to rise in price during the next few years, and have a good investment potential. If one is considering selling this type of item, a certain amount of investigation into the true present day value would be prudent.

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Art Deco Period and later in SA