Island Life Magazine Ltd October/November 2006 | Page 35

INTERVIEW Philip Hoare Valuer of Antiques and Fine Art “Probably the most important thing I identified was a Ming dynasty moon flask that went for £250,000 … it had been valued at just £15,000” Most people dream of finding valuables in the attic – but for Philip Hoare it’s all part of the job. The Ryde-based valuer has handled some amazingly exotic and valuable pieces during a 40 year-career that started when he took a holiday job with famous London auctioneers Phillips of Bond Street in 1966. Then aged just 16, he instantly found his passion – and ended up staying with the company for 14 years and progressing to departmental head and then later a consultant for them. He had been a collector of military medals and badges even as a youngster, and found he loved the challenge of a job that allowed him to unearth treasures from the past. It is a job that has given him the chance to travel the world, sourcing items for clients as far afield as Japan, the USA and Europe. Among his best finds have been the magnificent lunar telescope he bought from a large English period house that had been destroyed by fire. That ended up in the Appalachian Mountains, where it was sold to take pride of place in a lavish re-creation of a Victorian observatory. He also recalls finding a rare Maori figure in a Scottish attic which sold for £78,000 in 1979 – a time when that kind of money would have bought a substantial house. The figure finally found its home back in a museum in Auckland, New Zealand. Many of Philip’s finds go to the US for private museums or individual collectors. As he says: “When it comes to our American cousins, cost is often no object”. As an independent valuer, he works for two distinct sets of clients – those acquiring or building collections, and those selling pieces on. And the greatest buzz he gets is when he can put together the perfect match of buyer and seller. “I do still get excited by finding things, even after all these years” he says, “and there is a particular buzz in feeling that I have done well for a client. Of course that also means I have done well for myself as I work on commission only – which is very different from being a dealer” Philip’s great expertise also means he is often called upon to advise clients on restoring, repairing or researching their items. “The research side is a bit like detective work and can be very enjoyable” he says. Often, though, his trained eye can instantly spot a treasure even before he gets down to any research – and sometimes he homes in on things even before he gets into a house. “Surprisingly, garden statuary is often disregarded by clients, but I have found some lovely pieces such as terracotta urns, which can be worth more than whatever it is I am going to value indoors” Philip’s own particular love is the Victorian period – which is partly why he and his family moved to the Isle of Wight in 1985. “My wife is an artist and found the place very inspirational” he says, “but I also love the place for its wonderfully rich Victorian heritage and architecture. If it was good enough for Queen Victoria, it’s good enough for me!” Surprisingly, Philip has sold off much of his own collection of Japanese metalwork – partly to help fund the education of his four children, he says. Island Life - www.isleofwight.net But he adds: “I am handling nice things all the time so really there is no need to own lots of them. In actual fact you could say we are all just custodians of these things for a short time. * For advice on antique valuations, restoration or research, contact Philip on 01983 568614 or 0777 387 7242, email: [email protected] 35