Island Life Magazine Ltd February/March 2014 | Page 38

ANTIQUES talks antiques 8 King Street, London, SW1Y 6QT Telephone: 020 7389 2172 Tips! Warren Riches: Ask an expert! ld re shou TIP 1: Antique furnitu ed I www.visitilife.com 2013 proved to be a very good year for Island Auction Rooms. Auctioneers Warren Riches, Hugh Riches and Tim Smith had a bumper year with lots of extra off site auctions creating a real buzz on the Island. The market showed growth in quality items across the board, even 'brown furniture' which has suffered in popularity and prices made a recovery. Jewellery and Silver / Gold was a solid performer throughout the year. Warren predicts 2014 should be good. Growth in the housing market and people starting to move in larger numbers usually results in being busy. The live internet bidders from around the world grew month on month and this resulted in lots and lots of posting - from Hong Kong to Canada – our global buying clientele has rocketed! LD 38 A very good year SO t is through the relationships with our clients that we are able to build our jewellery auctions. A valuation day is an opportunity for me to meet with those that may be interested in discovering a little more about their jewellery. Whether discussing an item’s history or the materials and processes involved in the production of the piece, we can also look at it's potential value. This figure is one that can be looked at from m any angles and for different reasons. Some valuations are for insurance purposes, either as a replacement figure or as cover for loss, there are probate valuations for a deceased estate and some are created in order to facilitate tax issues where loss or gain in value may have an impact. When valuing a piece of jewellery for auction, I would look at the intrinsic value of the material. Are there precious metals or gems within the item? Is the material particularly rare and/or delicate? How has the material been produced and worked on? Has any work been detrimental? From there I would look at the item in terms of how it may work as a piece of jewellery. Is it something that can be easily worn? How would it fit into someone’s life? How commercial is the item? Discovering stories of how items have fit into someone’s life not only establishes a relationship between the client and myself, but aids unravelling the history and potential of a piece. Despite the material value, a story can be influential, be it a certain maker or designer or if the item can be attributed to someone of note or from a known location. With jewellery however it is often the case that an item is a personal treasure whose value can be attributed to certain memories or people. or clean never be "polished" aning with commercial cle s. Instead, use products or polishe with some a soft cloth sprayed glass cleaner. hes, s from stoneware dis TIP 2: To remove stain of hot n llo ga e on in urs or more soak them for 24 ho lets have been denture cleaner tab water in which two dissolved. on oil on iture oil such as lem TIP 3: Never use furn th or clo st wipe it with a damp antique furniture. Ju to keep ) ax esw wax (Minwax or be use only clear paste ndition. the wood in good co en pieces glue to adhere brok TIP 4: Use only white After er. eth re, or pottery tog of porcelain, stonewa slightly ift sh d an pieces together applying glue, press es sid th bo m off excess glue fro for a tight fit. Wipe to e tap g in sk d let dry. Use ma with a damp cloth an ry. ssa ce ne while drying if hold pieces snuggly