Island Life Magazine Ltd August/September 2014 | Page 48

ANTIQUES

talks antiques
8 King Street, London, SW1Y 6QT
Telephone: [phone]

Tips!
Warren Riches:
Ask an expert!

B

ritish awards and
decorations have
many fascinating
o major
stories. There are tw
n
aig
mp
ca
categories ry
nt
lla
ga
medals and
medals.
Campaign medals are
of the British
awarded to members
participating
d forces and civilians
Armed Forces, Allie
an 80 different
campaigns. More th
in specified military
e Peninsular
ued since the first, th
medals have been iss
1810, with five
arded to officers in
Gold Medal, was aw
century.
awarded in the 21st
new medals already
ognise personal
Gallantry medals rec
sh armed
members of the Briti
accomplishments by
one with a
ilian bravery - each
forces or acts of civ
heroism.
remarkable story of

A

definitive beginner's guide to buying art at auction,
with expert advice from Christie's deputy chairman
Orlando Rock.
Orlando Rock, Head of Private Collections and Country
House Sales, said: “Every work of art tells a story, and it
is the romance of the object, where it comes from, who
commissioned it and who owned it subsequently, that is
at the heart of what we do. I like to buy pieces that can be
linked with a specific moment in the history of taste, and
which are often architectural in nature. It is easy to follow a
bland, modern style; it takes courage to juxtapose different
styles and time periods.”
You do not need to be a millionaire to buy at auction.
Many leading auction houses cater for all budgets and
tastes, offering a wide array of different collecting categories
from painting and furniture to wine and collectibles.
Auctions are exciting and a savvy way to buy a broad range
of objects. They provide a transparent and fair platform,
ensuring that the price paid for a work reflects the true
market value which in turn provides reassurance that you
are not paying too much. The established reputation of the
auction house in question is key, as every item will have
been personally vetted by an expert in the relevant field and
come with that stamp of long-term quality and value.

48

www.visitilife.com

Oceanic carved
wood stars again
The star of the recent Antiques & Collectables sale at Island
Auction Rooms, Shanklin, was yet again a piece of Oceanic
carved wood. The three interesting wooden items had good
provenance and the market for such things is always strong.
Indeed five years ago Island Auction Rooms set a record for
a rare Polynesian paddle which sold for £240,000.
The three recent items sold to an Australian dealer via live
bidding on the internet for £2,350. Island Auction Rooms
again had a wonderful 500 lot sale for their Internationally
renowned Cowes Week sale held at the Masonic Lodge,
Castle Road Cowes.
With fantastic jewellery and silver, with the usual
complement of fine art, clocks and Maritime
collectables,the sale was a huge hit around this famous
sailing week. Director Warren Riches said that since they
started this sale some 10 years ago it has grown from
strength to strength, the quality of the lots together with the
large buying platform and clientele means the auction is
always huge fun and has lots of surprise results.