Spring & Antiques
Posted by Gill Jones on 05/03/2014
Now March is well and truly here we’re well on our way to spring. It may not feel that way for a lot of us, but there is light at the end of the tunnel. There are warm spring evenings to look forward to and longer days. In the antiques world we wonder what will be the right thing to buy this year. What trends are forecast? What do we have in our attic that might have undergone a revival and turned into the one thing everyone wants?
Trends and predictions
This month we’re going to take a look at predictions and trends we can look out for. How you should be collecting, and what you shouldn’t be buying.
Recently in the December issue of Home & Antiques they listed their 5 predicted trends for 2014. And they are; Art Deco, pearls, cross-collecting which is an emerging trend of combining contemporary art with antiques, statement pieces and finally lustre. This is something with a shine, with Wedgewood leading the charge.
Lust for lustre and pearls
On www.antiques.co.uk you can have your art deco and pearl fix in one item with this art deco pearl necklace with knotted loop strands, 9ct gold and fancy garnet clasp.
There’s plenty to choose from in our lustre section, firstly how about a 19th century gaudy Welsh pot? Or a charming art deco maling daisy bowl with orange lustre? Again, you’re getting some lustre and some art deco charm.
Statement pieces
How about the lead figure of a boy from the end of the 19th century for a statement piece? Or what about the antique folding 4 panel room divider from the early half of the 20th century? 
Or finally what about this sweet little Art Depot sign? Statement pieces are usually off the wall unusual pieces, and they certainly make a statement.
Art Deco
Popular Art Deco pieces seem to be three piece suites and cocktail bars. Www.antiques.co.uk has perfect art deco drinks cabinets in the Art Deco style of the 1920s, there are a few on the site. The antiqueArt Deco burr walnut cocktail bar is exquisite and similar to the one featured in Homes & Antiques. It’s from the 1930s and is in excellent condition. The piece de resistance of all Art Deco furniture is the streamlined design and attention to detail.
Collecting everything
Of course sometimes you can take eclectic collections too far. If you find you have too many bits and bobs from different periods it might turn out to be clutter rather than collectible. It may be best to stick to collecting specific items/pieces.
Cyclical trends
Trends can be cyclical, fashions come and go, but you may have something that’s increased in worth. You may be thinking about throwing out a particular piece that’s from a well-known brand, maybe Laura Ashley or an IKEA sofa. It could be worth more than what you paid for it 20 years from now. But you can’t know that now. Collect the odd interesting piece and put it to one side, you never know. It’s hard to determine what will be in fashion or what will be trending as the latest collectible item.
At the end of the day if you have something unusual, something that’s still in good condition then there’s a good chance there’s a market for it somewhere.
Something else to keep in mind is when it’s a designer’s birthday, or the celebration of a certain time period, or artist, a milestone or an anniversary perhaps. If you have art/antiques from this period it may prove to be worthwhile.
So good luck and start looking through your collectable items and see if there’s something there you think might be popular. Otherwise, if you’re thinking of buying then take a look on our site, there’s plenty of beautiful pieces to catch your eye.