Welcome
Slumped in front of the TV at the end of the day, I happily slip into the modern-woman’s vital role of ‘double screener’.
Why content myself to the digital output of one source when I can simultaneously feast on the latest TikTok breakfast recipes, or essential Twitter trolling?
How different from the experience of my Scottish mother, who died at the age of 93, and spent every evening darning, knitting and quilting. Inevitably, at the time, I was too busy taping the Top 20 and studying Duran Duran lyrics to take much notice and so all those skills, passed down from her mother, were lost.
Luckily, the daughters of many African-American quilters were not as vapid. They followed in the footsteps of the generations of women who preceded them, creating an astonishing body of work which has been described as “some of the most miraculous works of art America has produced .”
The good news is we will all get the chance to see the quilts this month when they go on show at an exhibition at the Birmingham NEC. Anyone in any doubt of their artistic merit should turn to the feature on page 52.
You’ve probably sat on them, rocked on them, or even hung your coat on them. I am referring to the bentwood designs of the Austrian furniture maker Thonet which, almost 200 years on from its first Viennese workshops, is still going strong. Today, the chairs are as stylish, comfortable and affordable as they ever were. Have a look at dealer Edward Rycroft’s feature on page 46 to discover more.
Elsewhere in the magazine, on page 36, we shine a light on the stunning designs of the elusive American jeweller Joel Arthur Rosenthal – known to the gemmology cognoscenti simply as JAR. On page 40 we consider why the Rolex ‘Pepsi’ is the ultimate mouthwatering watch for any discerning collector and, on page 28, Paul Fraser reveals why this summer’s blockbuster film Elvis will prove a shot in the arm for the King’s memorabilia.
Finally, with antiques fairs firmly established once more on every collector’s calendar, nine well-known antiques dealers and TV favourites reveal the hot spots they head to for a bargain. Their revelations, on page 24, may well surprise you.
FIRST WORD
IN THIS ISSUE
NATASHA RASKIN SHARP
on her journey to Bargain Hunt presenter, page 8
DAVID MESSUM considers the importance of British
Impressionism, page 18
ROO IRVINE reveals her top UK fairs, which always serve up a bargain, page 24
Georgina Wroe, Editor
KEEP IN TOUCH Write to us at Antique Collecting, Sandy Lane, Old Martlesham, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 4SD, or email magazine@accartbooks.com. Visit the website at www.antique-collecting.co.uk and follow us on Twitter and Instagram @AntiqueMag
Antique Collecting subscription £38 for 10 issues annually,
no refund is available.
ISSN: 0003-584X
We love
This mid 19th-century kingwood table, stamped Bertram & Sons, which has an estimate of £2,000-£3,000 at
Dreweatts’ interiors sale on August 9-10
MICHAEL KOUSAH presents his highlights from a very special book collection, page 44
THE TEAM
Editor: Georgina Wroe, georgina.
wroe@accartbooks.com Online Editor: Richard Ginger, richard.ginger@accartbooks.com
Design: Philp Design, james@philpdesign.co.uk Advertising: Charlotte Kettell 01394 389969, charlotte.kettell
@accartbooks.com Subscriptions: Jo Lord jo.lord@accartbooks.com
ANTIQUE COLLECTING 3
