Sunday 3rd February 2019
9am to 4pm
Upper & Lower Levels
Nelson Mandela Square
The Antique Fair on Sunday 3rd February will be jam-packed with new stock, great finds and will have a dedicated focus exhibition on Chinese antiques with dealers also referencing the ‘pig’ that is the Chinese animal zodiac for 2019 and of course there will be a splendid array of unique and traditional gifts to buy your loved ones ahead of Valentine’s Day on the 14th February.
Collectable Fairs is a group of antique dealers who have, for the past 25 years brought the excitement of collecting to South Africans with their monthly and annual Antique, Collectable & Decorative Art Fairs held throughout the country. The Antique Fair at Nelson Mandela Square is the oldest and biggest monthly exhibition of antiques & collectables, attracting close to fifty antique dealers from all over the country who bring a wide selection of European, Oriental, African & popular collectables to the public.
This Antique Fair takes its place amongst the leading table-top fairs anywhere in the world – be it in London, Rome, Lisbon or Buenos Aires. Locals, out-of-towners and tourists flock to see not only the iconic statue of Nelson Mandela on the Square in Sandton but venture inside to browse on two levels laden with the most fascinating display of treasures from the past.
Focus on Chinese Antiques & saluting the Year of the Pig
We might be at the bottom end of Africa but our legacy of antique collecting goes back to the Dutch who were the biggest traders in Chinese and Japanese porcelain in the 17th and 18th century in the world and who stopped off at the tip of Africa on their journeys with ships laden with trunks filled with rice that protected the exotic Chinese blue and white, enameled and monochrome porcelains that were all the rage in European capitals. Orders for large dinner services with family armorials and European forms such as sauce boats and table salts were shipped to wealthy clients and royalty and by virtue of our Dutch settlers, some of those treasures ended up in South Africa.
According to Heather Knight, a specialist in Oriental antiques, “Chinese antiques are a fascinating collecting discipline and whilst one can still find some early pieces at the upper end of the market, Chinese 18th Century porcelain is more common and more affordable.”
Ricus Dullaert, a renowned antique dealer from Amsterdam, Holland and a regular exhibitor in South Africa, brings in a wide range of Chinese antiques, porcelain, lacquer, jade, ivories, woodcarvings and paintings. He has built up a strong following of Chinese collectors, who live and work in Southern Africa and who, because many of their antiquities were demolished during the communist period, look to buy something from their cultural heritage.
From the Focus on Chinese antiques at the Fair on Sunday 3rd February collectors can expect a splendid array, a wealth of knowledge, an international taste and years of experience from experts in the field of collecting. From imposing Buddhas to delicate porcelain and jade objects, if it’s Chinese antiques you love, you cannot miss the Fair on Sunday 3rd February 2019.
Give something of traditional value for Valentine’s Day
They say St Valentine wrote a note of thanks to the young girl who had consoled him just before he was executed and signed it “Love from your Valentine”. That is the legend and lovers all over the world make the 14th February that special day give their loved something from the heart. Antiques offer probably one of the widest range of gift ideas – not just any gifts, but gifts that carry special meaning for both him and her and in many cases hold the secrets of many lovers who owned them in the past.
Jewellery heads the list in gifts and the specialist dealers in jewellery and accessories have the best of the best on offer. From a beautiful 18ct gold, ruby and diamond ring – if you’re about to pop the question to delicate gold filigree butterfly brooch to rings, lockets, cameos and more affordable costume jewellery.
For the man in your life give a man-cave gift of an antique telescope or a surgeon’s travelling case, a beautifully decorated silver mounted walking stick or a vintage music box. For the retro man how about a designer collector’s watch or some 1930’s Schuco collectable toy cars.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:
Clyde Terry – 082 883 4933 or clyde4th@mweb.co.za
Media Liaison: Giuli Osso – 083 377 6721 or giuli@gocomms.co.za
