Island Life Magazine Ltd December 2012/January 2013 | Page 60

ANTIQUES Antiques and Collectables with Philip Hoare F.T.V.I I MISS THE good old days I recently returned to the Island having forthcoming sales. There was an old world been in London for overseas clients where I solidity and charm about the buildings it was almost like the hallowed walls of a church. Sadly this ambience has gone forever and attended the major auction houses on their now they are totally refurbished, sanitised and behalf. soulless. They are the shrines to the rich and It reminded me of my days at Phillips, the famous, the oligarchs, the oil magnets and auctioneers in Bond Street where I was the entrepreneurs where billions are spent in a valuer from the late 1960s until the mid art acquisitions. 1980s. It was during this period from the mid When you attend the auctions there are 1970s that the art and antique market began batteries of telephones and computers taking to change from being an exclusive enclave frenzied bidding from throughout the world. for collectors, connoisseurs and specialist Sale after sale, auction records are being dealers into a serious market and an continually broken. Provenance, rarity and essential part of an investment portfolio. quality have a huge premium. The market has I remember the controversy surrounding the acquisition of artworks by Sotheby’s on behalf of the British Rail Pension Fund a gargantuan hanger for the finest, the rarest and the best regardless of cost. Will the market ever return? I don’t with many financial pundits predicting that think so in the foreseeable future. Tastes it was a folly for them to buy into such an have changed and traditional furnishings unpredictable market. When they sold, their are considered passé and the younger returns were enormous. generation are only interested in minimalism. How dramatically things have changed. The Clocks are however bucking the trend with two main players, Sotheby’s and Christies significant increases in value lately due to the have shed their old world charm and are now Far Eastern buyers. the power houses of the fine art and antique world. I remember so clearly at least twice If you require a valuation on an antique please email [email protected] a week for over 15 years, I would view their VALUATIONS Find out what your antiques are really worth VALUATIONS • COMMISSION SALES • RESEARCH PHILIP HOARE CHANGE OF ADDRESS Unit A15, Spithead Business Centre, Newport Road, Sandown, IW PO36 9PH TEL: [phone] MOBILE: [phone] EMAIL: [email protected] www.pahoare.com Free valuation days at Spithead Business Centre on last Friday of every month or by prior appointment. Philip Hoare was formerly a valuer for Phillips Auctioneers in Bond Street, London. 60 www.visitislandlife.com