Press release Matford February 28^th 2009.

The Devon based Peripatetic Gallery will be showing some of their rarest ceramic items at the upcoming Matford quality fair on stand A08. A later “TANG” style tomb horse on its original base and decorated with Buddhist symbols dated to the 18^th century or earlier 18^th; with minor damage to the tail but otherwise in excellent condition, and priced at £350 makes it a bargain for determined collectors – The colour is Buff and Green and is 12 inch tall from the base to the head.

For Exeter memorabilia collectors there will also be a fine set of 4 low relief ceramic plaques showing scenes in late Victorian Exeter, including the Guildhall, Cathedral and ancient Bridge.

They were made in Bohemia in the period 1885 to 1905, for sale to the fast growing rail networks bringing holiday makers into the South West in numbers. Delicately coloured and in fine condition, each 9 to 10 inches high, the set of fours are priced at a modest £90. Bavarian potters used to buy postcards of local scenes and then create plaque copies which were hand painted with an oil based paint. They were designed to appeal to the tourist trade, who bought them as souvenirs of their holidays.

You will also find 2 jars ,10 inches high made by H Kaendler circa 1905. He studied art under the famous French painter Monet and one of the jars is painted with a scene in blue of birds  on floating leaves by a river or pond bank, in an image strongly redolent do Monet paintings, both jars are priced at £400 each.

Peripatetic Gallery is also renown for carefully chosen glass items. Wedgewood’s wonderful small figures remain popular. Quality paperweights remain a good investment whilst their decorate style adds pleasure to any collectors home.

New exhibitor to the fair, Monkey Business from Plymouth on stand O05/07, will be bring a selection for fine furniture and boxes. Amongst which will be a  Harrods Gent’s wardrobe. This light mahogany wardrobe is 6'8" tall, 47" wide and 18" deep. It is circa 1920 and is priced at £295. There will also be an Edwardian chest of drawers in dark mahogany and has it’s original hardware. It is 40’’ tall, 42” wide and 20” deep. This chest of drawers comprises of 2 small drawers and 3 large drawers and will be priced at £375.

Regular Exhibitors, “Early Porcelain” of Somerset on Stand A08 will have some wonderful examples of early Royal Worcester all pre 1790,

Amongst these will be a selection of eight teacups and saucers with various patterns with prices ranging from £50 - £200. One of these is in the Royal Lily Pattern. Size 2 ½  inches high and offered for £ 130. Originally known as the Blue Lily pattern and probably based upon an oriental pattern, it was to be the pattern that altered the declining fortunes of the Worcester porcelain factory for good.
 
The factory, known at that time as 'Flights' after the Flight family then running the business, had been in steady decline when on Wednesday the 6th August 1788 George III & Queen Charlotte visited the Flight's shop in Worcester, unannounced. They placed orders and arranged a visit to the manufactory on the following Saturday. They fell in love with the Blue Lily pattern, immediately ordering a complete service and renaming it Royal Lily.

John Flight later asked the Earl of Oxford to approach the King and ask about the possibility of their using the title 'Manufacturers to their Majesties'. The King agreed without hesitation. Flight had secured a Royal Warrant for the Worcester factory that was to prove both the saviour of the company and the guarantee of its future.)

They will also have  two Royal Crown Derby animal paperweights available, a Cockatoo, 14.5cm high for £110, (picture attached)  first in a series of exotic birds collection and modelled by Mark Delf as a  limited edition of 2500 exclusive to The Guild of Specialist Gift Retailers. Each had a special backstamp and a certificate. The second paperweight is a donkey foal, 11cms high commissioned as a limited edition of only 1500, designed by John Ablitt as part of Govier’s of Sidmouth’s Mother & Baby series, She is lovingly known as “Holly”, the edition number is 346 of the collection and comes boxed  with a certificate of authenticity  for £85. The pre-launch paperweight compliments Govier's Thistle pre-launch donkey. Likewise the Donkey Foal compliments the Donkey.

Govier’s who have been trading since 1904 and have always had a good working relationship with China companies. In 1987 the current owner  Alan Morgenroth who took over the business in 1983, commissioned the first exclusive Royal Crown Derby piece: The Margaret Thatcher Loving Cup. Media interest ensured the edition of 650 was a sell out, establishing Govier’s database of Royal Crown Derby collectors and heralding its unique relationship with the factory. Since that time, Goviers has worked closely with Royal Crown Derby, developing royal and commemorative pieces and the paperweight range, which in the early 1990s was still in its infancy. In just a short time, the direction of the china shop by the sea had changed, transforming itself from a tableware specialist to a centre for quality gifts and collectables. The worldwide mail order operation had outgrown Govier’s second floor and was moved to neighbouring offices next door.

Together with the Royal Crown Derby design department, Goviers has introduced some innovative paperweights in recent years. Its Millennium Unicorn was the first piece to incorporate metal in the design and the Royal Crown Series combined collectable commemorative qualities with those of the paperweight.

Returning to The Matford Centre Antiques & Collectors fair , for the first time since 2005, is top quality dealer, Magpie Antiques from Somerset. They can be found on Stand B09 where you will find wonderful array of fine quality antique jewellery , bronzes, ivories and Objects of vertu .

Another regular exhibitor at the Antiques & collectors fair at Matford is Curious Galore from Cornwall and they will have on offer a selection of Hummel figures including Auf Wiedersehen – Hummel No. 153 circa 1960 standing 5¼” – price £52,  together with Little Fiddler – Hummel No. 4 – a very early piece, circa 1950 standing 4¾” – price £60 and a Plaque entitled Merry Xmas – Hummel No. 323 circa 1979 measuring 3⅛” x 5¼” – price £45.

Also on this stand will be a Royal Doulton Lambeth Teapot, Milk Jug and Sugar Basin, in excellent condition, circa 1910 – price £235 and a Poole Lamp Base circa 1960s designed by  Truda Carter in the elaborate floral pattern, standing 10” high – price £51.

With all the cold weather that is around at the moment then you may be looking for an extra throw for you bed or even a Fur coat. These can all be found at the fair on Saturday 28^th February.

Val Dennis and her team, insist on the highest standards of customer care to ensure that everyone who visits the fair has a relaxed and enjoyable day out.  “The most important people at our events are the exhibitors and visitors, without them we would not have an event” says Val.

 
For DCAF organising and running the fairs is an exciting, enjoyable and rewarding job. It is a wonderful feeling when an exhibitor tells you they have had a great fair and it is equally rewarding to hear from a visitor that they have at last found that elusive piece they have been searching for.

 As always The Matford Centre event offers a wide range of antique and collectable items at affordable prices.  A relaxed and informal atmosphere at the fair and the friendly and helpful advice offered by the exhibitors on all aspects of antiques and collecting making each fair a truly enjoyable day out for all who visit.