The Northern Antiques Fair returns this month

With the antiques fair calendar back in full swing again post pandemic, Ingrid Nilson, fair director, is delighted to announce that The Northern Antiques Fair is returning to The Garden Rooms & Cloisters at Tennants, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG from September 29 to October 2, 2022.

The prestigious antiques fair, which has been running since 1951, moved last year from Harrogate to its new venue and was deemed an overwhelming success with around 2,600 people attending the 4-day fair.  The Garden Rooms and Cloisters provide a very light, airy and modern setting complimented by the exhibitors designing and decorating their stands to the highest specifications.

Having grown in size, this year’s fair will now accommodate over 40 exhibitors bringing a wider selection of disciplines including furniture, paintings, glass, jewellery, sculpture, ceramics, clocks and watches, Art Deco design objects, collectables, vintage bags and much more. There is ample free parking at Tennants as well as a very popular café, bistro and gift shop.  Make it an excuse for a rewarding day out driving through North Yorkshire’s spectacular countryside.

Fresh faces to the fair at Tennants include William Cook from Hungerford, Highland Antiques from Aberdeen, Malcolm Eglin Antiques from Northumberland, Melody Antiques from Cheshire, Millington Adams from Somerset, Gladwells Rutland, J Dickinson Maps & Prints from Derbyshire,  Bags of Glamour from Hampshire, Sylvie Collett – Sew Antiques from Lincolnshire, Markov from London along with Watches of Lancashire, Catherine Hunt Oriental Antiques from Cheltenham, Carolyn Stoddart-Scott from London, Fileman Antiques from West Sussex, Hickmet Fine Arts from Portobello Road, London, Graham Reed Fine Art from North Yorkshire and Studiotic from West Yorkshire.

The highlight of the fair must be an extremely rare panorama of York dated 1731 by John Haynes showing the South West prospect of the ancient city of York with the platform of Knaresmire whereon his Majesty King George II’s Hundred Guineas was run on August 10th 1731.  John Haynes was a draughtsman, surveyor, engraver and printer in York at the time.  The viewpoint is looking along the Tadcaster Road towards Micklegate and York itself.  Forty-five notable places are listed in the key including the names of prominent individuals’ residences.  The Minster is clearly depicted, dominating the buildings nearby as it still does today.  The view is dedicated to Sir William Millner and Edward Thompson, both Members of Parliament for York.  The arms of the City appear in the upper left with the sword of state and the Lord Mayor’s cap and mace.  Below is a delightful image of York racecourse complete with a stand for spectators.  Two examples of a later state are known, one is in the Royal Collection and the other is in the Bodleian Library.  Of this state, only one other example is recorded and is in the British Library.  The map is for sale from J Dickinson Maps & Prints with a price tag of £10,750.

Among the paintings on Graham Reed Fine Art from Ripon’s stand is a charming watercolour of local interest entitled Spring on the higher waters of the Wharfedale by Samuel John Lamorna Birch RA RWS (1869-1955) (£1,395).  Walker Galleries of Harrogate are bringing work by marine artist Henry Redmore (1820-1887), born in Humberside and influenced by the Dutch artists of the 17th century including ‘Shipping on a Dutch River’, signed and dated 1871.

Paintings of every medium and genre should whet the appetite for anyone looking to fill wall space  including a pair of Jack Russells by John Emms (1843-1912) (£14,50) from Carnes Fine Art, Off to School by Brian Shields (Braaq) (1951-1997) £14,950 from Haynes Fine Art – London & Cotswolds, The Day’s Bag, watercolour, by James Hardy Jr (1832-1889) (£3,950) from Burlington and The Duke of Newcastle returning from the shoot, oil on canvas, after Francis Wheatley RA (1747-1801) (£3,950) from Blackbrook Gallery.  Garret & Hurst Sculpture are returning with bronzes and sculptures from the master sculptors of the 19th century.

Visitors always enjoy the wide range of decorative antiques available and the fair will not disappoint.    It covers most disciplines including a rare Davenport goblet engraved with woodland scenes and patented by Mr Davenport of Langport, Staffordshire c 1810 (£1,250) from Fileman Antiques; an Edwardian silver owl caster, made by the Goldsmiths Company of London in 1905 (£9,995) from Highland Antiques; a pair of Vienna porcelain ice pails with lids decorated with sprigs and gilding, c 1840 as well as a Spode porcelain 25 piece part tea and coffee service from Carolyn Stoddart-Scott; a fine Flight and Barr period spill vase unusually painted with a pedlar, c 1800 from Graham Ruddock; a late 18th century gold and shagreen etui, c1790 from J A Yarwood Antiques & Fine Art; an English silver sewing set probably by Joseph Taylor, in the original fitted case containing a pin cushion, thimble, tape measure, bodkin, scissors in sheath, tweezers, ear spoon, folding knife and a stiletto with a silver cartouche on the lid inscribed Dec 21st 1826 (£525) from Sylvie Collett – Sew Antiques.

There is furniture to suit every palette and pieces are displayed in room settings to give the feeling of a home interior.  Among the 18th century antique furniture from Millington Adams is a George III Chippendale period mahogany scroll arm settee (£16,900); a Georgian mahogany butler’s tray, c 1800 (£985) from Malcolm Eglin Antiques; from Melody Antiques is a small 18th century North Wales dresser from the Montgomeryshire area, c 1760 ((£3,750); and a Spanish walnut writing table, Catalonia, c 1660-1680 (£7,000) from Hispanic Antiques, specialists in provincial antiques from the Iberian peninsula.

Oriental works of art always prove popular and a wide choice is available from Drove House Antiques bringing a group of Chinese late Ming underglaze blue dishes from the 1580-1620 period showing a variety of decorative themes (from £350 – 600).  A highlight on Catherine Hunt Oriental Antiques’ stand is a deep Kangxi charger c 1665 (£10,000).

For the ladies there is an excellent choice of jewellery from Howards Jewellers of Stratford upon Avon, Howell 1870, T Robert, Greenstein Antiques and Dansk Silver, dealers in Scandinavian jewellery and specialising in Georg Jensen pieces.  For the gentlemen, Watches of Lancashire have a fascinating range of watches including a 1978 Rolex Explorer and a 1971 Tudor Submariner.  Amongst the silver on show is a quirky golf trolley with removable clubs modelled as a telephone from Stephen Kalms Antiques (£13,500).

The Two Ridings Community Foundation are returning as the fair’s charity partner.  This year a reception will be held on the opening evening, September 29.  Tickets are £20 per person and should be booked in advance via https://AntiqueFairReception.eventbrite.co.uk