“I have been a dealer for 12 years and after the relaunch of our online business we exhibited in May at Burton Court,” said Mathewson. “Antiques in Tents is a great place to find quality, high end pieces but also affordable everyday antiques. The first hour is open to the trade and it’s incredible just how many people in the trade turn up.”
Mathewson added: “We had some amazing feedback about our stand and stock. We sold all of our lighting and two large sofas within the first two hours. It was a fantastic day for us and we are very impressed with how popular this fair is.”
Mathewson, trading with his wife Amanda Mathewson as River and Jones, is drawn to rustic pieces in leather and wood plus decorative natural history.
For the next fair in October at Burton Court he had planned to bring a fully grown male lion skeleton and a taxidermy giraffe, but both are now reserved (the giraffe due to be shipped to Dubai).
Instead the firm will be taking a 1961 Triumph Tiger Cub motorcycle, and “a large ancient Greek amphora that was salvaged from a shipwreck if it arrives in time”.
Antiques in Tents’ next outing at the Grade II-listed Burton Court is on Sunday, October 15. Among the 50 exhibitors are newcomers Paul Hackman Antiques and Fontaine Decorative, all stalling out in marquees and within the house.
Brisbane said of her fair: “We are now known as being a fair that guarantees a great selection of quality and interesting items. We have a high percentage of sales to visitors and there is a dedicated following of regular buyers – in May there was an attendance of 500.”
