Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2011/January 2012 | Page 38

ANTIQUES ANTIQUES & COLLECTABLES with Philip Hoare F.T.V.I My interesting journey through the world of Antiques I joined Phillips Son & Neale (Phillips) Auctioneers in 1967 where I served a two-year apprenticeship under my mentor Christopher Hawkings and then becoming a cataloguer for the weekly general Pink Room Auction. In 1971 I commenced outside valuations for probate and insurance, working mainly in Central and South West London. During this period many large period town houses were still untouched and lavishly furnished and it was a perfect opportunity to learn to appreciate the quality and ambience of the antique. In 1973 I founded the Arms and Militaria Department and the Tribal (ethnographical) Department at Phillips. These proved to be a great success with many record prices achieved. It was during this period that I was privileged to be part of the meteoric rise of art and antiques which snowballed during this decade and right through the 1980s. My personal love was always for Japanese art particularly their metalwork which embraced swords and fittings. During the mid 1970s I made six trips to Japan to study and further create the Japanese Arms and Armour department. I was privileged to visit the living national treasure Mikimoto who made sword blades for Emperor Hirohito and to know personally and to take advice from the eminent and knowledgeable professor Basil Robinson at the V & A and also the great Bill Tilley at Christies. It was during this period that I acquired my great love of Japanese Quisae. In 1981 I became a consultant for Phillips and during this period had numerous interesting assignments including valuations for Earl Spencer at Althorp. I was also the first into Sigmund Freud’s consulting room at Maresfield Road, Hamstead, London where I catalogued his collection of antiquities which the Nazis had allowed him to take out of Austria. I became independent from Phillips in 1986 and have worked as a valuer and commission agent since then selling antiques and fine art on behalf of clients, also sourcing and advising on period interiors both in the UK and overseas. During the last few years technology has completely changed the whole concept of the Art World. An image and description can be instantly seen anywhere. However, knowledge is still the most important factor researching and indentifying and therefore knowing where to place an object is still of paramount importance. I acted Antiques - find out what they're really worth VALUATIONS • COMMISSION SALES • RESEARCH 38 www.visitislandlife.com recently for a client who had inherited a Swiss gold and enamel singing bird musical box of the finest quality which had been valued at £5,000. I advised against selling in the UK and arranged a sale in Paris where it achieved Euro 35,000 – an excellent price and purchased by a Russian Oligarch. The latest buyers on the list are the Chinese who are now eager to acquire fine European antiques. When an item sells at auction it is often the beginning of the journey and will be sold to the end user for many times the hammer price, so by going direct to the collector a substantially higher price can be achieved. As I’m independent of auction house or dealer I am able to advise my clients without conflict of interest in order to secure the highest value. General valuation days are every Wednesday at 71 Union Street, Ryde with London consultant in silver and jewellery. PHILIP HOARE 71 Union Street, Ryde, IW. PO33 2LN TEL: [phone] MOBILE: [phone] EMAIL: [email protected] www.philiphoare.com