Antique Collection

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 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.

He sought the opinion of his legal advisor, the outcome being advice to take action under the Trade Descriptions Act, and they warned the auctioneer that they would institute such proceedings unless a refund was forthcoming. In the absence of any response to this the information was laid before the magistrates and a summons was [...]

There is always an atmosphere of excitement at an auction, especially if one is intent on buying some of the lots and many of the things that are going on in the background go unnoticed by the amateur. There is, for example, the operation of a ‘ring’ within the auction. This practice is much more [...]

The collectors of early brass objects encounter many problems. They have to wade their way through oceans of reproductions and clever forgeries to find what they are really looking for. Many are seeking specific objects such as antique horse brasses, candlesticks or wall plaques.
Horse brasses were first produced in ancient times in many oriental countries. [...]

A charming and poignant study of a young girl, by Van Doorn signed and dated 1891, was sold recently in Edinburgh. The restrained use of colour and fine detail of the brushwork, made this a most attractive and desirable painting, except for one thing.
It was a deliberate fraud!

Forgery in this field is somewhat restrained by fear of the law, the counterfeiting of English hallmarks is a very serious offence and the penalties for this practice are severe. The very high prices of early English silver usually confines its collection to the more wealthy connoisseur. The ingenuity of the forger is nevertheless often [...]