CHRISTLETON
Curios and Curioser
BY PHILIP HARLAND
My Guide to Finding Antiques
in the UK This Christmas
How could I let November pass without talking about shopping! As ‘Black Friday’ bargains begin to flood my phone feed I find solace in taking up a different kind of bargain hunt, in the parallel world of antiques. Whether it’s for Christmas gifts or just to give your home a bit more festive character there are so many sources of fabulous collectables and what’s more, every single one is recycled. These are some of my favourite hunting grounds with a few useful tips for safe and satisfying purchases.
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Applegate Antiques near Chester
Traditional Antique Shops and Emporiums
I love wandering into high street antique shops and big emporiums, especially this time of year. There’s something magical about their window displays decked out for Christmas, and chatting with the staff often leads to great tips. The sheer volume of pre-loved stuff can be overwhelming, however if you have a rough idea of what you are after it doesn’t take long for possibilities to ‘jump out’ at you. Tip 1: check items - especially ceramic – thoroughly for cracks and chips (if you see ‘A/F’ on a price ticket it means the vendor is aware of damage and has priced accordingly). Tip 2: for higher price items – generally over £20 – don’t be afraid to ask for a discount: cash is always welcome! Around Chester we are lucky to have several antique and collectible ‘Emporiums’: Lady Heyes near Frodsham; Applegate Antiques on the A41; the behemoth Dagfields near Nantwich; Acorn Antiques and Bryn-y-Grog Antiques in Wrexham. And more besides.
Auction Sales
Auction Sales Traditional auction sales are my own source of choice when buying antiques, however if you are buying for a specific date (e.g. Christmas) you need to plan well ahead. In the old days (well, 1980’s!) the only way to view auction sale items was to go and take a look; nowadays, catalogues are always available online a week or more before the sale with filters and other tools to narrow down your search. Tip 1: set your limit before the sale begins. Tip 2: don’t forget that there will be a hefty premium on top of the hammer price. This seems to be generally between 25% and 29%.
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Christies Auction Room, London, by Thomas Rowlandson from Microcosm of London 1808
Online Shopping
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Me browsing on my computer
Online shopping - eBay, Etsy, and other sites - is brilliant for armchair-hunting of that elusive piece. It’s so easy for browsing endless unique things and sometimes I find stocking fillers I’d never find locally.
Tip 1: always read the description carefully, particularly for dimensions and condition. Zoom in to photos (there should always be numerous images). Tip 2: cross reference to other similar items for price and quality comparisons.
Charity Shops
Never underestimate charity shops around Christmas! People are clearing out, so you might stumble across wonderful old ornaments or vintage bits. It’s hit and miss but a lot of fun and, in addition you know your money’s helping a good cause. Chester, like every other town throughout the country has a good number of charity shops so there’s really no excuse not to have a rummage!
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Fun at the Charity Shop
