The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa #43
London in June is the place to be as the summer art and antiques fair season offers up the best available from across the world. Celebrating its 43rd year the Olympia International Art & Antiques Fair, billed as London’s original [...]
Jun
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa #42
Divine intervention, coincidence or deliberately planned maybe, but for me this 42 is more likely the “Answer to The Ultimate Question of Life, the Universe, and Everything”. A little over a year ago I started this column and it [...]
Jun
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 41
Summer is here! The weather forecast predicts temperatures moving from 16 with rain, to 22 with sunny intervals, by the weekend in central London. As the weather warms and tourists flock to the capital the Fair Season begins. First up [...]
May
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 40
Last weekend in Johannesburg Olive’s parents went under the hammer. This story of an African auction is just like the book by Olive Schreiner The Story of an African Farm , as it had all of the ingredients to make [...]
May
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 39
A funny thing happened at the dinner table tonight. It has been suggested that woman may get the vote, can you believe that! A funny thing happened at the dinner table tonight. It has been suggested that woman may get the vote, can you believe that [...]
May
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 38
For anyone with a sweet tooth the addition of sugar to our morning tea or coffee is a great way to start the day. For anyone with a sweet tooth the addition of sugar to our morning tea or coffee [...]
Apr
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 37
Tea grown in the Far East notably China has been imported into England since the 1600’s. In those early days when the tea chests arrived one can imagine the delight for those, who upon opening them would have discovered a [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 36
Ever since the arrival of tea into Britain from the mid 1600’s it has evolved its own traditions. Ever since the arrival of tea into Britain from the mid 1600’s it has evolved its own traditions. Originally drunk in [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 35
This thoroughbred auction house with a gentleman at the helm is at the forefront in the South African auction scene. This thoroughbred auction house with a gentleman at the helm is at the forefront in the South African auction scene. [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 34
The old saying ‘Knowledge is power’ is especially true in the antiques and art industry. The old saying ‘Knowledge is power’ is especially true in the antiques and art industry. Being able to recognise something more in any item gives [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 33
He was a ghost designer, in the shadows and unrecognized during his life. The name Archibald Knox and the designs he did for Liberty & Co, the famous London store will be out for all to see. He was a [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 32
Fake‘n Forgery !! They are part of our industry, pieces made to deceive and con you out of your money. They are part of our industry, pieces made to deceive and con you out of your money. When you first [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 31
Show me anyone eating biltong and you can bet the farm he or she will have a penknife close at hand. Growing up in South Africa most kids soon learn the value of a simple tool like the penknife. Show [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 30
These dealers are at the cutting edge of the art and antiques trade in South Africa. The South African Antique Dealers Association (SAADA) was established in 1963 and today represents 53 specialist dealers nationally. In 2013 it celebrated its golden [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa #29
Sometimes, something pops up that leaves us flummoxed. One of the most frequently asked questions in my antique shop is where does all of your knowledge come from ? A good question that makes us look more impressive than [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa #28
A blind man walks into an antique shop and asks “Can I have a look around”… .. sounds like a very bad bar joke and totally politically incorrect, but this happened to me recently. In the hour he spent there [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 27
As for predictions in the year ahead I think it will be a lot like looking into a crystal ball. 2014 has arrived and as usual in January I contemplate the year ahead and begin to plan what antique fairs [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 26
Between 1640 and 1666 when the Great Fire decimated London a cache of jewels was buried in a cellar in Cheapside. For the first time since its discovery a century ago the entire hoard is on view at a special [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 25
They look like real Krugerrands but they are fakes- worthless as they contain no gold whatsoever. Made to catch you out but the Antique Plate Committee at Goldsmiths Hall in London is your guardian angel. [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 24
As an antique dealer I am often asked how we value many of the pieces we sell. Most of the time the formula is pretty straight forward but sometimes the “The Oprah Effect” comes into play. As an antique dealer [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 23
Last Sunday morning I was watching a series on the History Channel taped during the week called Porn Stars with my nine year old son. Last Sunday morning I was watching a series on the History Channel taped during the [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 22
This statue of Nelson Mandela was commissioned by Tokyo Sexwale through the Sexwale Family Foundation and was created by the renowned South African artist and sculptor Jean Doyle. Returning to Franschhoek on Monday this week with spring in the air [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 21
According to family tradition it was discovered in a crate washed up on a beach at Port Beaufort sometime in the 1840’s. Sourced from the family who needed the money for the children’s university education it stole the show at [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 20
Remember back in the 80’s when Scope magazine had those little boxes, stars and circles placed strategically on the breasts of those stunning models. All of this in order to get around the dreaded publications board and the old conservative [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 19
Have you ever wondered where all the art goes when the auction doors are closed? This thought was instigated by song lyrics I have heard but cannot place, along the lines of ‘Where does all the money go when the [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 18
This brass measure stamped for the Government of the Traansvaal is one of a set of three. What makes it so historically interesting is the fact that it would have been made in England at a time when the Zuid- [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 17
The South African Antique Dealers Association (SAADA) is 50 years old and it is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. The South African Antique Dealers Association (SAADA) is 50 years old and it is celebrating its golden jubilee this year. [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 16
One of our greatest exports from South Africa is the Krugerrand and since its launch in 1967 has gone on to become one of the most popular ways for anyone to own gold. One of our greatest exports from South [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 15
With the focus in South Africa on the gold mining sector and the strikes, one is reminded how challenging and dangerous it is to actually get the gold out of the ground. With the focus in South Africa on the [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 14
As gold miners in South Africa went on strike from Tuesday evening the focus is once again on this sector that has produced so much of South Africa’s wealth. As gold miners in South Africa went on strike from Tuesday [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 13
THE ANTIQUARIAN | What do you do with an old power station in the heart of London? The best answer was turn it into an art museum. So the question was what do you do with an old power station [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 12: LS Lowry at Tate Britain
THE ANTIQUARIAN | This summer the ‘must see’ of the art world has to be the LS Lowry exhibition at Tate Britain. The absolute joy in visiting London is being able to access some of the best museums in the [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 11
This museum is bordered by a park where adults can go, only if accompanied by a child. Foundling Museum Brunswick Square London I emerged from Russell square tube station with a mission. A good friend in the antique dealing community [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 10
THE ANTIQUARIAN | The highlight of the British Museum’s African Galleries is ‘Throne of Weapons’ by Mozambican artist Cristóvão Canhavato. Ok so you saw the photo and thought Africa was going down the tubes again. Not so, in fact we [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 9
What strikes me when visiting London is the reaction to the various museums. On standing and taking this photo I was impressed by how many visitors the British Museum gets every day. What is really more interesting is how many [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 8: It’s a Baby!
THE ANTIQUARIAN | Christening Gifts Fit for Royalty: Silver is a traditional gift for a newborn baby – and is also well known for its antimicrobial properties perfect for the making of eating utensils, thus the saying “born with a [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 7
THE ANTIQUARIAN | The quaint South African town of Franschhoek celebrates Bastille Day in mid July. If you happen to drive into the picturesque town of Franschhoek in mid July you cannot help but notice that the town is getting [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 6
THE ANTIQUARIAN | Icons such as Nelson Mandela have focussed the spotlight on our country and many people want to own a piece of our miracle nation. Silver Elephant decanter label dating from 1814 After a hectic hard working and [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 5
THE ANTIQUARIAN | Billed as the world’s greatest museum of art and design, the V&A museum houses more than four and a half million objects. I visit this museum every time I am in London and am always impressed by [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 4
THE ANTIQUARIAN | ‘Masterpiece London 2013’ is rated as the top fair in the summer season. Roy Lichtenstein Puzzle Portrait 1978 Image courtesy of Geoffrey Diner Gallery Every market has its leaders and the world of antiques is no different. [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 3
THE ANTIQUARIAN | Our resident antiques expert tells us about ’50 Shades of Silver’… I have decided to write a book – I am going to call it ’50 Shades of Silver’ and it will cover all you need to [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 2
As I sit at the Olympia Art & Antiques fair, it strikes me how many people recognise and connect with our country. Even if they visited ten years ago the memories and connection they have with us prompts them to [...]
The Old Corkscrew - Antiques from Africa
Antiques from Africa # 1
THE ANTIQUARIAN | For me to stand out in London at a top international antique fair I have found that being true to my roots and being African can produce the goods. As the rain arrives and Cape Town finds [...]