Antique and salvage fairs and markets:
In the UK Covid-secure live events will start from April. Hence Joan Porter is back, in her regular slot for the Antiques Trade Gazette, reporting on Fairs, Markets and Centres. Good news for fair organisers and the trade. Although visitor numbers are still limited by social distancing measures and due to travel restrictions foreign buyers will be sadly missed at live events.
 
However flexibility to adapt to any last minute changes in trading rules remain worldwide; especially as parts of Europe enter a third lockdown and other regions or countries continue with partial lockdowns. This uncertainty will mean both online shopping and online events will continue. Virtual will stay an important part of the selling and buying mix. Another advantage of virtual events as UK Fair organiser, Savitri Coleman comments in Joan's ATG article, 'virtual fairs have given some traders the opportunity to sell through us that otherwise would not have been able to due to their location' and it has given them the opportunity of, 'exponentially expanding their reach.'
 
Virtual antiques fairs have proven successful In the USA, for example the New York Winter Show was held in January to good reviews. I am sure The Philadelphia Antiques Show, from 23rd to 30th April will be no exception. The show features Salvo member, Barbara Israel Garden Antiques, based in New York.
 
The first four images show a selection of the pieces Barbara Israel Garden Antiques will be exhibiting at the virtual Philadelphia Antiques Show:
 
Image one:
A zinc fountain figure marked “J.W. FISKE IRON WORKS NEW YORK” in the form of a dancing stork with head thrown back and outstretched wing display, the beak piped for water, on rockwork, leafy base, American, ca. 1880. 57 ins. high, 48 ins. wide. Titled Stork Fountain in J.W. Fiske catalogs, this work is identical to a fountain sold by the Fabrik von F. Kahle & Sohn in Potsdam, Germany after 1871.
 
Image two:
An exceptional pair of cast-iron settees in the fern pattern, American, ca. 1900. Each approximately 29.5 ins. high, 43 ins. wide, 20 ins. deep. The pattern is a variation of a more common Fern pattern. This rare variation is known to have been produced by at least two American makers, but doesn’t seem to have been produced by the Coalbrookdale Company, the English firm that designed the original, ubiquitous fern pattern.
 
Image three:
An impressive carved granite figure of Industry, clothed in classical robes, with the attributes of ancient industry at her feet: anvil, hammer and the cogwheel symbolizing 19th-century mechanized production, American, ca. 1880. 96 ins. overall height (including integral base), 38 ins. wide, 27 ins. deep; base 26 ins. square. Provenance: From Bolton, MA estate. By repute, salvaged in the 1950s from an architectural facade in Massachusetts.
 
Image four:
An exceptional carved marble figure of a boy by Benjamin Edward Spence (1822-1866), partially draped, seated on a rock and holding a horn in his hands, signed “B.E. SPENCE FT ROMA”, English, ca. 1850. 37 ins. high; oval base 15 ins. x 19 ins. Born in Liverpool, Benjamin Edward Spence won a prize for sculpture at the Manchester Exhibition when he was sixteen years old. He worked in Rome for the better part of his life, studying with both John Gibson and J.-B. Wyatt.
 
Simply 'Send a Message' to Barbara Israel Garden Antiques directly from their Salvo directory entry link below if you are interested in any of these statement garden pieces.
 
Find this fair listed in the Salvo online event calendar along with other antique and salvage fairs, auctions and eco events: be they virtual or live. Look out for the Salvo Fest which will be a mix of virtual and pop-up live events in June. Booking now.
 
Note: Team Salvo keep the Salvo events calendar as up to date as possible but do please check for any last minute changes to live events.
 
Reuse People:
House & Garden magazine featured reuse 'People' in their lifestyle spotlight. Henry Hales, a menswear designer who uses surplus and organic fabric in his, SIRPLUS menswear range and Tamara Lancaster, who works with architectural and interior designer, Ben Pentreath. Ben's design ethos has long been inspired by the great English practitioners of the 1960s and 70s, and from historical interiors of every period. So it is not surprising to find Tamara and Henry's ex council flat in London reveals a love of unique features and antique finds. The sustainable fashion brand itself came from a simple idea of reuse too. Henry realising the waste in the fashion industry started to make and sell boxer shorts made out of leftover fabric. In fact, the SIRPLUS logo, a cabbage in a top hat comes from the industry slang for surplus fabric, 'cabbage'. The idea worked so well SIRPLUS have since moved from street markets to bricks and mortar. Interestingly his first shop opened in Portobello Road, Notting Hill, home of the famous antiques market. Henry even has a mobile stall, called 'The Cart' made by friend, Loopy (who famously designed stage sets for Pink Floyd).
 
See the April 2021 edition of the UK House & Garden magazine and visit sirplus.co.uk for sustainable menswear.
 
After Brexit:
More paperwork seems to be a common complaint about moving goods between the UK and the EU or Northern Ireland and the EU since Brexit. However most dealers are determined to work their way through any issues and continue to sell to buyers in the EU as before. Although EU sellers themselves can make customs clearance easier and quicker by including import Vat in their prices. Small traders bringing items over from Europe will feel the paperwork strain the most. Traders bringing in secondhand furniture, vintage clothes, bric-a brac and bygones by van from Europe must record the age of each item with a customs declaration for Vat .
 
The UK government has offered support for smaller businesses with the SME Brexit Support Fund. Up to two thousand pounds is available to help with training and professional advice. Register for webinars on exporting, importing and customs declarations. Plus call the Customs & International Trade helpline on 0300‌‌ ‌322‌‌ ‌9434, for help with importing, exporting or customs reliefs. The helpline is open‌‌ ‌from 8am‌‌ ‌to‌‌ ‌10pm‌‌ ‌Monday‌‌ ‌to‌‌ ‌Friday and‌‌ ‌from 8am‌‌ ‌to‌‌ ‌4pm at‌‌ ‌week‌‌ends. Also see their website link below.
 
Let Salvo know of any particular issues you have encountered or if you have any tips you would like to share with other architectural salvage and antiques dealers. Salvo is also happy to seek answers from the UK government to any specific questions Salvo Code members may have.
 
Cottagecore:
Not new but this vintage life style design trend has become much more popular and featured in many recent press articles. Not least because UK Prime Minister, Boris Johnson and partner Carrie Symonds, have chosen 'cottage style' interiors in their Downing Street, London apartment. Their chintz pattern and craftsperson made rattan designs were created with design advice from Lulu Lytle using a mix of new and old. Lulu is committed to British craftsmanship and a co-founder of Soane Britain.
 
The cottagecore trend itself comes from a fantasy idea of life in the countryside. The FT describes it as.'Your Grandma but, like. hip.' And Stylist magazine said, 'add a typically English touch to your home with the cottagecore trend that adds a cosy, vintage twist to any space.' They suggest the trend is all about past life style: sourced vintage treasures, traditional wooden furniture, vintage apron or Belfast sinks and bath tubs combined with the natural smells of fresh flowers and freshly baked scones.
 
Anyway this design trend certainly makes good news for all architectural salvage, decorative, garden antiques and genuine original vintage dealers unless buyers opt to just 'get the countrycore look' from new 'fake old' items.
 
Garden architectural salvage:
Living extra, home and design news reports on the trend for the garden to be used as an extra living space. They state home owners are keen to make their gardens look good and unique statement pieces are key with 'searches for garden architectural salvage jumping by seventy two per cent.'
 
Antique and vintage pieces will add character to any outdoor space. Antique or reclaimed pieces such as a statue, fountain, birdbath, sundial or urn will also make any garden or yard however small much more attractive. More quirky salvaged items to decorate and create reuse beauty in the garden include upcycled window mirrors, reclaimed fire surrounds, old doors or metal gates and vintage bygones such as millstones or wheelbarrows.
 
See more on this architectural salvage garden trend at livingetc.com and find garden antiques dealers listed in the Salvo online directory.
 
Image five: Belfast sink found in a garden by Sara Morel, aka Reclaimed Woman, during her London flat renovation.
Image six: Staddle stones for sale on the Salvo online marketplace from Salvo member, Warehouse 701, based in Hereford, UK.
Image seven: Elves fence, gate and door for sale on the Salvo online marketplace from Historische Bauelemente, based near Berlin, Germany.
Image eight: Antique sash window mirror for sale on the Salvo online marketplace from Salvo member, The Architectural Forum, based in Hertfordshire, UK.