Antiques Magazine

At this time of year it can be nigh on impossible to decide what’s best in terms of a Christmas gift for loved ones. Some of us struggle with this problem every year. It can be extremely difficult for those who seemingly have everything, or have no discernible hobbies to speak of.

Figuring out what to buy someone can turn into the nightmare before Christmas!

So if you're looking for antique and vintage Christmas gifts to delight and surprise, go no further - here are this year's recommendations from Antiques.co.uk.

Written by Gill Jones

In this blog, we’re discovering how Advent calendars came about: the fascinating history behind advent calendars, and how they became so popular.

We’re also discussing some excellent Christmas gift ideas – and why the past really does make a great present for the people you love.

We're open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week - start browsing our Christmas gift categories!

Antiques.co.uk is proud to support the Lyon & Turnbull timed online auction to raise funds for Chest Heart & Stroke Scotland.

All funds raised in this auction will go towards CHSS's support of the work of The Sir Jules Thorne Co-Creation Centre in Rehabilitation Technology at the University of Strathclyde.

If you’re celebrating thanksgiving, you may be preparing yourself for the onslaught of family and friends who will be arriving at your home in their droves for food, a catch-up, and of course to give thanks for all that you’ve prepared.

Aside from Christmas, Thanksgiving represents one of the most important moments in the year to dress and decorate your home with seasonal antique and vintage pieces. 

In this article, we discuss ideas to make your home Thanksgiving ready.

We have some fantastic deals for you this Black Friday and Cyber Monday - and beyond.

> Find out how you can take advantage of these offers at Antiques.co.uk!

Autumn – off to a slow start in the UK, where the leaves are staunchly refusing to turn to their glorious orange and reds – arrives officially with the end of British Summer Time.

It’s now worth looking to the darker, colder winter evenings ahead, and preparing your home accordingly – turning your rooms into warm and snug areas where you can all relax and cosy up against the cold outside.

We’ve selected a list of antiques and vintage pieces which will help your home stay inviting and relaxing this autumn and winter.

Winter comes closer and closer, the nights are drawing in - and, by the time you’ve read this, you may have already celebrated Halloween. If you have children then you may have paid even more attention.

Halloween has gained a huge momentum as a time for celebration, fancy dress and plenty of fun. This is a lesson that, perhaps, we’ve learnt from the Americans, who’ve always enjoyed celebrating Halloween.

In this blog post we discover how Halloween became so popular, and recommend some antique pieces to get you in a frightful mood this October.

Our friends at The House Directory, with Westland London, discuss what makes antiques, vintage and collectables - along with top tips for buying timeless treasures - in this guest blog.

The terms "antique," "vintage," and "collectable" are often used interchangeably, but they carry distinct meanings. Understanding these differences will empower you to discern an item's true worth and appreciate its unique charm.

Gold, oil, stocks, currencies, crypto – they’re all investments with benefits…and drawbacks. They say that investing shouldn’t be sexy, but why not make it enjoyable?

Unlike many investment vehicles – affected by inflation and market volatility – antique and collectable values rise with scarcity and quality. In recessions, your items are unlikely to devalue, and are highly worthwhile considering.

Importantly, antiques are likely to bring you sentimentality, practical usefulness, and joy. It can of course be joyful to see your stocks rise a percentage point or two, but they just don’t have the same personality. Antiques, on the other hand, tell a story with their colourful tapestry of history and provenance. By investing in them, you add your own name there.

How do you know if an antique is a good investment or not? Brought to you by Antiques.co.uk, there are key steps to doing it properly.

As the UK emerges from the slumber of another tragically average summer, the antiques and collectables market starts to get back into gear again.

Explore what’s hot right now in the antiques and collectables market with our take on some of the themes that are expected to gain traction over the next quarter.

Across Britain, in homes of all shapes and sizes lie astonishing hoards of potential treasures. Their owners have filled their homes with items they’ve acquired, curated, or obsessively collected. But there’s a catch – they have no idea what their items are worth.

This, says Antiques.co.uk owner Iain Brunt, is a driving force behind the launch of a brand new professional valuations service.

Open to everyone, wherever they are in the world, the new service offers fast and simple independently-valued antiques and art. Sellers can then list and sell them commission-free, right here on Antiques.co.uk.

Iain is launching the new valuations service ahead of an upcoming appearance on Channel 4’s ‘Millionaire Hoarders’.

Early August marks one of Britain’s biggest sporting events of the year: Cowes Week.

In this article, we’re exploring the history of Cowes Week, and what makes it so special, before delving into the fascinating world of marine and nautical antiques and collectables.

Photo: King George V at Cowes Week Regatta, Yacht "Britannia", Wikimedia Commons.

Inspired by Wimbledon and The Ashes, we look at a variety of antiques and vintage pieces celebrating the quintessential Great British Summer: from cricket and tennis to beaches, strawberries and cream, Pimms and Champagne.

Father’s Day in the UK is a celebration of – you guessed it – fathers. And whilst many dads won’t be overly bothered if they don’t receive a gift from their children, it’s still a nice way to show one’s thanks to a person who has been so influential.

In this article, we’re exploring the origins of Father’s Day, before looking at some dad-friendly antique gift ideas just for you.

June 3rd 2023 marks two very special sporting events in the UK: the Derby at Epsom, and the FA Cup Final.

So we're celebrating the continuation of Great British events by exploring the fascinating history of both, and showing you some fantastic equine and football-related antiques and memorabilia.

Flowers have always been featured in antiques, from art to ceramics, furniture to lighting, garden ornaments to – of course – jewellery.

As we approach the celebrated Chelsea Flower Show in the UK, it’s a fitting time to take a look at the meaning behind flowers and why they are featured so heavily in antiques.

It’s widely accepted that the first link between gardens and ornamental sculpture was established by classical civilisations in the Mediterranean – one which still exists to this day.

We look at a brief history of antique garden sculpture, ornaments and furniture - and how exactly we ended up with such a varied range of pieces and styles.

"Summer afternoon—summer afternoon; to me those have always been the two most beautiful words in the English language." - Henry James

As the weather slowly improves, those of us lucky enough to have a garden or outside space are likely to be thinking of preparing it in one way or another, so that we too are able to enjoy all the sunny summer afternoons ahead.

It’s perfectly reasonable these days to head to your local superstore or online retailer and purchase all manner of cheap, poorly made garden furniture. Come next spring, it’ll be discarded out onto the street with a leg or two missing, or a split in the seating fabric – until the refuse lorry collects it. What a waste.

What’s much more interesting, long-lasting - and environmentally-friendly - is to dig a little deeper and build a collection of attractive antique pieces which will actually add some proper class.

What could be better than a 120 year old garden urn, or a stylish 1930s bamboo garden sofa? These pieces are sturdy, well crafted, and exude history and charm. They have stood the test of time (and weather) and will remain in good shape for years to come.

Here are some must-have types of antique and vintage garden furniture to really zhuzh up your garden this summer.

It’s no secret that if you’re looking for period furniture or antiques – pre-Elizabeth II – then they are often categorised by which English King or Queen held the throne at the time of the item's manufacture.

In this article, we'll be looking at four of the major antique periods: Edwardian, Victorian, Georgian (including Regency) and Carolean - how they developed, what makes them unique, and where you can buy royal antiques online.

As the United Kingdom approaches its second Carolean era with the crowning of His Majesty King Charles III on 6th May, an opportunity is soon to arrive that hasn’t ever been available to most: the chance to acquire Coronation collectibles.