The Bath Decorative Antiques Fair celebrates a vintage year this year with a very special event and some exciting new exhibitors from across the UK.

On Thursday 8 March at 3 pm the delightful television presenter Kirstie Allsopp will present the awards to the lucky winners of Britain’s Best Antiques Shops as part of National Antiques Week. The public voted on line to nominate their favourite antiques shops and auction houses and the winners’ names will be kept strictly under wraps until Kirstie announces them at the Bath Decorative Antiques Fair.

Kirstie who is a great supporter of the antiques trade and the Antiques are Green movement said: “Buying antiques and vintage is about getting beautiful, unique and green things for your home but also about respecting the environment and being sensible with your money – I know that if everything went belly up tomorrow I could sell the contents of my house for considerably more that I paid for it – and I couldn’t say that if I’d bought new.”

Bath has always been a magnet for decorators, homemakers and collectors alike, and the organiser Robin Coleman strives to make sure the fair is not only exciting as a source of wonderful objects, but enjoyable, relaxed and memorable. Exhibitors regularly comment that they look forward to returning each year to what has become a club-like atmosphere.

Among the new exhibitors this year will be A & L Antiques of Lillie Road, Fulham dealing in interesting furniture, paintings and objects of various styles and periods and unusual items from all over Europe; Hudson Grove Antiques of Marylebone dealing in furniture, mirrors and objects, 18th to 20th century; Doe and Hope based in Essex dealing in decorative pieces, rare and unusual antiques and curios, coupled with an Oriental twist of textiles; Red Bus Art from Ayrshire dealing in original artwork by up-and-coming artists, limited edition prints and photographs, as well as a range of motoring memorabilia and iconic portraiture. Antediluvian from Oxfordshire dealing in bronzes, furniture and accessories in the classical manner and Grand Tour pieces, Walton Interiors from Sussex with a wide range of furniture and works of art from the 17th to the 21st Century and for the first time as an exhibitor although not as a visitor is LAPADA member Mike Melody of Chester, well known for his television appearances on Dickinson’s Real Deal. Mike is known for his superb antique country furniture in particular fine farmhouse tables and dressers but he also deals in a wide range of interesting decorative accessories and collectors’ items and will bring a very rare German WMF and Vienna porcelain box, fully marked with relevant factory marks, dating from the early 1900's. Designed by Josef Hoffmann 1870-1956, designer for Wienier Werkstatte and in perfect condition. The period and design is secessionist, a short lived design period pioneered by the Austrians and Germans between 1900 and 1914.

The annual visit to Bath is considered something of a jolly to the loyal group of exhibitors who have been attending for many of the 23 years and this helps to create the warm and welcoming and somewhat unique atmosphere in the slightly wonky old building that has been home to this
cherished regional event for so many years. Roderic Haugh who trades from Core One Antiques in Fulham is one of the original exhibitors at Bath and he will be bringing a selection from his eclectic stock including a showcase piece at the fair - a beautiful early 19th c large scale glazed Baltic display cabinet which has a number of very unusual features including hand painted panels in the chinoiserie style on the inside and outside of each door with fully removable glazed panels secured by the original metal hinges on both the front and sides. The doors can be left open to display the interior of the cabinet and the shelves are all scalloped and have the original paint decoration. The colour is an exquisite powdery blue.

Another regular at the event is West of England Antique Dealers’ Association member, Blighty Antiques of Cheltenham dealing in English and Colonial antiques as well as country house furniture and fittings and curiosities. Blighty also specialise in restored upholstery and will bring some desirable and useful pieces including the a fantastic mid 19th century (circa 1860) camelback sofa with eight Cuban mahogany legs, recovered in an ivory herringbone linen with hand stitching with down cushions.

Travelling from Sheffield to exhibit for the second time following a very successful debut last year is LAPADA member DJ Green Antiques who deals in decorative antiques and furniture for the home and garden.  Nick Mellors from Newark Antiques will be another debut exhibitor for 2012 dealing in vintage and decorative pieces from the UK, Europe and America for the contemporary interior.

Local West of England dealers will also be out in force including Appledore Antiques and Terry and Marie Kelly both from Devon and Cherrie and Michael Todd from Somerset dealing in homely folk art, samplers, ceramics, curios and collectibles, Bath Relic dealing in fairground and advertising ephemera and decorative objects, and from Tetbury Ark Angel dealing in decorative and painted antique furniture and accessories, naive and folk art, Lynda Bateson Townsend and Amy Perry dealing in painted furniture, glass, ceramics and textiles and decorative accessories for the home and garden.
The Blanchard Collective from Marlborough is returning for the second year and for 2012 will be moving to a much larger stand to showcase their treasure trove of decorative dealers including Josephine Ryan and Tyson Ltd.
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