Uncover Durham's Past: A Sneak Peek into Rare Piece of Durham History
HR MCBAIN &BYRNE Regency period rosewood credenza

Don’t miss the remarkable Northern Antiques Fair, overflowing with innovative concepts, inspiration, and captivating artworks from various historical periods.

The fair is returning for its third year at The Garden Rooms located at Tennants, Harmby Road, Leyburn, North Yorkshire DL8 5SG. The event will take place from Thursday, September 28 to Sunday, October 1, 2023.

Experience a delightful blend of antique and contemporary artworks presented by leading antiques and fine art dealers from the UK. They offer a wide range of exquisite items including period furniture, oil and watercolour paintings, glassware, sculptures, clocks, silverware, jewellery, ceramics, rugs, and an abundance of decorative pieces. This event provides a perfect opportunity to reconnect with family and friends, while also establishing new connections with dealers. Prices for the items range from a few hundred pounds to five-figure sums.

The fair features around 40 exhibitors, including some exciting new additions such as Bink Fine Art from the Cotswolds, specializing in works from the Impressionist era to Modern British art, along with a touch of contemporary pieces. Another newcomer is Frodsham Clocks, owned by Simon Frodsham, a descendant of the renowned clockmaker William James Frodsham who established his firm in 1801. Also participating is McBain & Byrne from Co Durham, showcasing a Regency period rosewood credenza in excellent country house condition, as well as an exceptional George IV penwork games table from around 1825. Rupert McBain, a furniture designer and dealer in English and Irish antique furniture represents McBain & Byrne.

Among the local participants from Yorkshire and the northern region, you’ll find Carnes Fine Art from Lancashire, Ellis Fine Art from Tadcaster, Graham Reed from Ripon, Graham Ruddock from Barnard Castle, Hispanic Antiques from Sheffield, Howell 1870 from Lancashire, Mark Buckley Antiques from Keighly, McBain & Byrne from Co Durham, Solo Antiques from Lancashire, and Studiotic from West Yorkshire.

HR SOLO ANTIQUES a trio of Daum landscape vases c1900-1910

A highly intriguing and exceedingly rare piece of history on display is a large and intricately detailed map/plan of the City of Durham, published by Thomas Foster in 1754. This map will be the centrepiece of the J Dickinson Map & Prints stand, with only a few known copies in existence. Originally dedicated to the ecclesiastical and political dignitaries of the City, this map can be purchased for £2,650.

HR J DICKINSON MAPS & PRINTS Map of Durham 1754

For collectors interested in local views, Reed Fine Art offers a charming oil on panel depicting Whitby Harbour by James Watson, a member of the Staithes Group (1851-1936), priced at £3,250. Gladwells Rutland presents a watercolour painting of the River Esk in North Yorkshire by Harold Sutton Palmer (1854-1933) for £3,750.

The fair proudly exhibits paintings from various genres, including “Morning Sunshine” by Herbert Davis Richter (1874-1955) available through Burlington for £5,000-£10,000, “Place de la Republique, Paris” by Edouard Cortes (1862-1969), known as the “Parisian poet,” priced at £32,500 from Carnes Fine Art. Bink Fine Art, a new exhibitor, showcases “The White Cliffs” by Mary Fedden (1915-2012), estimated to be around £7,500. Blackbrook Gallery, specialists in 19th-century naïve animal paintings, offers an oil on canvas titled “Yeoman farmer with his horse Fanny and his dog Ruller,” inscribed as “Mr Sam Flower, July 7, 1848,” signed W Malbon, for £6,950.

HR CARNES FINE ART Edouard Cortes Place de la Republique, Paris

In addition to flat art, the fair offers a diverse range of sculptures, including a standing otter bronze created by contemporary sculptor Simon Gudgeon, priced at £14,500 and available at Gladwells Rutland. It’s worth noting that Yorkshire Wildlife Park recently celebrated the birth of surprise otter triplets, making it home to a total of nine giant otters—the highest number in a single zoo or wildlife park worldwide. Garret & Hurst Sculpture, known for their expertise in 19th-century sculptures, will be showcasing “The Bather” from 1887, a piece by Gaston Leroux (1854-1942), priced at £3,675.

Drove House Antiques specializes in antique Chinese ceramics and works of art. Among their collection is a delicate Kangxi period plate from around 1700-1720, finely painted with flowers and insects, priced at £950. They also excel in antique Parian busts and figures, exemplified by a fine Copeland Parian bust of Ophelia sculpted by W. Calder Marshall for the Crystal Palace Art Union, dating from the period of 1860-1870 and priced at £395. Graham Ruddock offers exquisite antique porcelain, such as a beautiful Worcester cup and saucer adorned with flowers, sprigs, and butterflies within puce rococo scrolled borders containing sunburst motifs, crafted around 1758 and priced at £1,450.

HR DROVE HOUSE ANTIQUES Copeland Parian ware bust of Ophelia c1860

For those interested in captivating jewellery, the fair presents a wide selection of unusual and stunning pieces. Examples include a Victorian serpent necklace set with emeralds from around 1860, available at Howards Jewellers, and an 18-carat yellow gold panther pendant by Carrera y Carrera, crafted around 1995, priced at £3,250 from The Antiques Bazaar. Additional choices can be found at Billy Rae, Dansk Silver by Jane Burgett, Greenstein Antiques, Howell 1870, Markov, T Robert, and Shapiro & Co.

The fair offers a delightful experience where objects catch the eye at every corner. General Antiques stand to provide plenty of variety, such as a Mouseman piece available at Ptarmigan Antiques, an iconic Art Deco patinated bronze figure of a dancer by Pierre le Fagyuays priced at £5,995 from Solo Antiques, a superb Art Nouveau wine cooler from Studiotic, a set of silver-gilt and plaque-a-jour spoons by Norwegian goldsmith Marius Hammer priced at £1,695 from The Antiques Bazaar, a Parkinson & Frodsham mahogany-cased 8-day table clock priced at £4,500 from Frodsham Clocks, or a stunning etching by Pablo Picasso from the Vollard Suite titled “Le Repos du Sculpteur devant un Centaure et une Femme” from 1933, signed in pencil by Picasso and available for £12,000 at Hispanic Antiques.

HR FRODSHAM CLOCKS Victorian ebony & gilt chiming boardroom clock

Since 1951, this prestigious antique fair has been a highly anticipated event, originally held in Harrogate and more recently hosted at The Garden Rooms and Cloisters at Tennants in Leyburn, located in the heart of Wensleydale. The Garden Rooms provide a modern and light-filled setting, enhancing the overall experience for visitors. The exhibitors maintain a high standard of stand design, and ample parking is available for everyone. Completing the visit to the fair is the popular café, bar, bistro, and gift shop, ensuring a well-rounded experience for attendees.

This year, the fair has chosen RABI (the Royal Agricultural Benevolent Institution) as its charity partner.


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