Welcome Good news this month for anyone who, like me, is regularly castigated for endlessly buying “stuff ”. What our living companions fail to realise, is this never-ending supply of treasures represents beauty, style and, dare we say it, connoisseurship. So when the magazine Country Living recommended we all embrace “English Eccentric”, it was one-nil to the collectors. For those who haven’t heard of the trend, it is: “Exuberant and theatrical, mixing contrasting patterns, displaying quirky collectables and inherited furniture alongside fairground prizes and patriotic memorabilia without worrying that it “doesn’t go ”.’ And there I quote. (I am choosing to ignore the bit about careful curation to avoid total confusion.) So it’s official. Minimalism is dead and buried, long live random. Which is grist to the mill for us, dear reade r. On page 12 we discover a set of Victorian marbles that sold for £7,000 and a copy of The Beano which fetched £26,000. Do we need them? No. Do we love them? Yes. Of course when it comes to Asian art it’s not just a case of grabbing what we like, but engaging the noggin in a way that is beyond most of us...the dynasties, the reigns, the hallmarks, the fakes... it’s a discipline that can take a lifetime to maste r. With Asian Art in London launching this month (with the majority of events taking place in November) we take a deep dive into one of the best-loved elements of the genre: blue and white porcelain. While the style is ubiquitous at every antiques fair in the land, the truly collectable Chinese pieces date to the Yuan dynasty and early Ming. And while these beauties are beyond the purse of all but the most well-heeled, there are some eras that are more affordable; see page 18 for more details. On page 26, John Rogers tackles the perplexing area of Chinese export silver which, thanks to new research, is back in the spotlight. For years collectors took the retailer’s mark (in Latin) for the maker’s mark. New knowledge of the artisans who made the pieces (and their marks) makes it an intriguing area of collecting. So whether your obsession is Chinese porcelain, Victorian marbles or old comics, hold your head up high. You are among friends. Enjoy the issue FIRST WORD IN THIS ISSUE SANDRA RODRIGUEZ DE PAULA A day in the life ofthe fine art conservator, page 8 DAVID HARVEY Our English antiques expert opens the doors on a statuesque Georgian bookcase, page 16 JOHN ROGERS Reveals the secrets of Chinese export silver and why it is in the ascendancy, page 26 Georgina Wroe, Editor KEEP IN TOUCH Write to us at Antique Collecting, Riverside House, Dock Lane, Woodbridge, Suffolk, IP12 1PE, or email magazine@accartbooks.com. Visit the website at www.antique-collecting. co.uk and follow us on X and Instagram @AntiqueMag We love! This Émile Gallé cameo vase, c. 1925 which has an estimate of £4,000- £6,000 at Tennants Auctioneer’s sale on October 5 ONLY £38 for 10 issues SUBSCRIBE TODAY TO ANTIQUE COLLECTING Call 01394 389969 or email charlotte.kettell@accartbooks.com IRITA MARRIOTT Is dumbfounded when she comes across museum-quality photos on a wall in Leighton Buzzard, page 66 THE TEAM Editor: Georgina Wroe, georgina. wroe@accartbooks.com Online Editor: Richard Ginger, richard.ginger@accartbooks.com Design: Philp Design, philpdesign.co.uk Advertising and subscriptions: Charlotte Kettell 01394 389969, charlotte.kettell @accartbooks.com ANTIQUE COLLECTING 3