Christmas is upon us and we are about to enter another year.  I try not to fully read the newspapers just now as they are all doom and gloom so, I am sure, we are all facing the new year with some apprehension.

Although we have noticed a drop in sales of middle-range wares, those at the top end of the market and lower end continue to sell well. Last weekend, 12 – 14 December, we were standing at the Bingley Hall fair at Stafford Showground.  This is a large fair with a huge variety of antiques and fine art for sale.  The change in exchange rates to the dollar and euro means that foreign collectors are slowly starting to return so that is a positive note.  It does mean though that my jaunts to Europe to search out stock have been curtailed! Also still thriving in this economic downturn is ‘Art Deco’ with no let-up of interest in either specific Art Deco/Nouveau fairs or the sale of art deco at other antique fairs. 

 

 

Sadly, after more than 250 years the pottery company, Royal Worcester and Spode went into administration. The Worcester Company was established in 1751 by Dr. John Wall and a group of local businessmen with the earliest porcelain painted in blue under the glaze. Within a few years, Robert Hancock joined the company and was the first man to apply transferring of prints onto porcelain. The prestigious ‘Royal Warrant’ as Manufacturers to their Majesties was awarded by 1789 when the word ‘Royal’ was added to the name. Throughout the 19^th and 20^th centuries Royal Worcester continued to flourish and expand with new materials and glazes being added to their range plus employing top artists to decorate their wares. One of the advantages for the Royal Worcester collector is each piece can be easily date-lined with specific marks and dots for each year.

 

HAPPY CHRISTMAS TO YOU ALL FROM CARANO ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES.