Antique Collection

These small gummed squares or rectangles of paper are widely regarded as one of the best media for the high-speed acquisition of a Comfortable Lifestyle — and with good reason, because the 1856 British Guiana penny stamp is now worth half a million pounds, an appreciation rate of 20,000,000,000 per cent, which is not bad. [...]

Perhaps because of their homely appearance and reassuring “tick-tock”, longcases, popularly known as “grandfather” clocks, are among the most appealing of all antique clocks. Most longcases were made in England from the late 17th-19th centuries, although lesser numbers were also produced in Europe and America. The standard long- case runs for 8 days and has [...]

Various exciting new porcelain-making techniques were introduced and perfected in the 19th century. The development of bone china, which was made from the same ingredients as hard-paste porcelain with large quantities of animal bone added, meant that less expensive porcelain became widely available.

Here we have a situation of supply and demand which can be exploited by the more enterprising faker. Let us first look at the glassware bearing the V.O.C. mark, as stated earlier a pair of wine glasses would fetch a great deal of money. (If a genuine pair were unearthed today it would amount to [...]

A well known and highly respected gentleman of the district has passed away quietly in his sleep. The grieving widow now approaches the auctioneer, informs him of the fact and asks him to sell the contents of her home, as she is now moving to a small flat. After much commiseration he gets down to [...]

The illustration opposite shows a fine mahogany long- case clock by Matthew Dutton, London, circa 1785. It has an eight day movement and subsidiary calendar in a well finished mahogany case. Matthew Dutton was admitted to the clockmaker’s company in 1779. It is rare to find timepieces of this quality in South Africa, but Victorian [...]

When discussing antique fakes the buyer is frequently curious and will often enquire as to the extent of antique faking in this country. The answer may be surprising. Obviously no exact figures can be given, only estimates. After all, the shady side of this business is very surreptitious.

The cupboard originated in the middle ages and was an open shelved structure used to display pewter, silver and other untensils. Styles changed and in the 17th century the lower section was enclosed. In Georgian and Victorian times there was a wide variation in designs.

The collectors of early pewter from time to time pick up some very fine pieces at the auctions and second hand shops and many find it a fascinating subject. Pewter was introduced into Britain in Roman times and was widely used in the 14th century. Much of the contemporary church plate was in this metal.

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.