Three times a year an antiques and textiles fair is held in Battersea Park, London. Dealers from all over England display furniture, textiles, art and collectors' items from all periods to mid 20th century. I moseyed along to the winter fair this week, my third visit over the last couple of years.
Hanging chairs from Christopher Walker's Antique French Chair & Sofa Company. I bought a pair of slipper chairs from Christopher at a fair two years ago for a bargain price and love the tattered, raw calico upholstery so much that I've never covered them.
Gustavian style from Augustus Brandt antiques in Sussex
French style: pink toile on purple velvet at Josephine Ryan
The Battersea fair is somewhat more affordable (though this is relative!) and definitely less hectic in scale compared to some of its rival antique fairs. Free shuttle buses whisk you there and back from Sloane Square; it's uncrowded and, despite the cut-glass accents all around from well-heeled Chelsea types (many with yappy handbag dogs in tow), has a congenial atmosphere in which to wander round, admire, and chat with dealers who are friendly and decidedly un-snooty.
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| Lorfords Antiques from Tetbury |
The foyer theme was lighting and mirrors
Stand detail of Gallery 1930, in Marylebone (above) and Appley Hoare (below)
In my mind's eye I've furnished an entire London, or even better Paris, apartment by the time I'm ready to leave, so it doesn't seem right to be empty-handed. Just one or two bits of lovely old French table linen from Jane Sacchi (below) and I'm good to go, until the next time ...
