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!
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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