Bargain hunters descend on Buxton for antiques bonanza

Art and antiques specialists from across the UK descended on the Pavilion Gardens yesterday (Thursday) for the start of the four-day Buxton Antiques Fair.

The event, which is taking place this year in the marquee adjacent to the Gardens’ Octagon due to the building’s ongoing restoration, opened with a long queue, and buyers were snapping up the bargains within moments of the opening.

Organiser Sue Ede said: “It’s a change to have such wonderful weather in Buxton! This has brought our customers from across the region and it’s been a fab opening morning.”

Now in its 52nd year, the fair features more than 40 leading trade specialists, and is widely recognised as one of the most important antiques fairs on the British art market calendar.

Traditional 18th and 19th century furniture lines up alongside 20th century and decorative pieces, early folk art, paintings, jewellery, silver, pottery, porcelain and much more.

Among the local exhibitors are Jim Dickinson, an antiquarian map specialist who always draws a crowd with collectible Derbyshire maps and, historic engravings.

Buxton dealers Steve Bentley Decorative Arts & Lighting, specialists in late 19th and early 20th century arts and crafts furniture, lighting, silver, coper and brass, are also guaranteed to illuminate your day.

Bakewell dealer Peter Bunting Antiques returns too, with an esoteric range of 16th, 17th and 18th century furniture, paintings and metalwork.

Other highlights will include a collection of rare and unusual perfume bottles belonging to dealer Richard Hoppé; Mark Buckley Antiques’ late Victorian and Edwardian walnut and mahogany furniture; and Mike Melody Antiques offering farmhouse kitchen tables, ladder-back chairs, dressers, cupboards, coffers and occasional items.

The fair is open 11am to 5pm on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Admission £5.