Battersea Decorative Fair Winter Edition 23′
February 3rd 2023
We started the 2023 year off with the sad news that the NEC Art & Antiques For Everyone fair would be no longer going ahead, which was a big blow to Jacksons Antique as it was our nearest premier antique fair. We seconded that with the news that the Olympia Summer event would not be going ahead, mixed with other larger fair cancellations and the Chelsea Antique Fair no longer exhibiting, we looked to broaden our horizons with fairs and managed to grab a last-minute stand at the highly recognised Battersea Decorative Fair.
First and foremost before we go into the details I have to admit I was amazed by the fair, its collection of dealers and extremely diverse selection of stock gives for an excellent start to the year ahead. For us as a company, logistically, it was a breeze, easy to park, and very secure for all our stock. The fair is located at Battersea Evolution Park, which is literally next to Battersea Zoo.
There is ample parking directly in front of the fair and by the gates, along with a large public parking space. The transport links are great, and the fair offers a free shuttle bus, which constantly runs between Slone Square and the fair.
Our stand was located to the back left hand corner of the fair nestled between Mark West Glass and Thomas Glover Antique Jewellery, having met both Mark and Thomas at previous fairs it was nice to see two familiar faces next door. We took stand B27 which was 3.5m wide by 2.5m deep with three covered walls, being a decorative fair, it was important to make the most of the stand as it was enclosed all bar one side. Crucially, this fair is totally different from most others, with a huge focus on visual representation regarding the look of the stand, not just the stock. When you walk around the fair you will see every single stand has been decorated differently, there is a selection of wallpaper, paint, and various floors. This gives much more appeal to everyone walking around as each stand almost looks like a different room in a house, so you can visualise the objects within a setting.
We chose a mixed colour from Homebase named ‘Squid Ink’, and it turned out to be a slightly dark teal colour, which we were really pleased with. That, coupled with a herringbone floor we purchased online, made our stand start to come together. In terms of cabinets, usually, these are the lynchpin to our stand; however, we were cautious not to have too many at the fair as it would impact the decorative aspect, so we chose four square cabinets and placed them in each corner, alternating them with bits of stylish furniture we specifically selected to for the fair.
Most noticeable is the Chinese hardwood display cabinet in the centre, which is a beautifully carved display cabinet circa 1880 made from a Chinese hardwood called Hongmu and often referred to as Blackwood. It has a very similar composition to rosewood. It is perfect for displaying a beautiful selection of Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clocks, as both the dark brown wood with the teal background made them stand out.
The first day of the fair is mainly for collectors, interior designers, trade personnel and members of the public, who are almost certain to be purchasing for redecorating or looking for specific items. The footfall was absolutely tremendous, and we got off to a flying start selling two pieces of Black Forest within the first hour, most notably the Lucerne Lion featured on the picture above on the shelf to the right centre, dated to the late 19th century and of exceptional quality and size being one of the larger models that the Swiss Black Forest carvers produced. This being our first time exhibiting we were very pleased with our week overall, we met a host of new clients and also managed to catch up with some clients from previous fairs both of which we thank again for visiting us. We were humbled by the response and pleased that the fair went well for everyone involved. It was a great start to the year and gave us a real positive vibe heading into February.
Currently looking forward, we are in talks with Battersea to possibly stand again for their Spring Event, which will be between the 9th and the 14th of May. We also have a few other fairs in the pipeline which we will be announcing once we have confirmed the dates. For now, we will sign off with a good start to the year and meet you all back in the spring. Until then, please keep an eye on the website as we will be pushing all our stock through it; please do sign up for the free newsletter found at the bottom of any page; those not signed up will receive 10% off your first online order, no maximum purchase. Finally, follow us on Instagram to monitor our whereabouts weekly.
Watch this space.
Owner at Jacksons Antique
I am an antique dealer and owner of Jacksons Antique, specialising in fine antiques with a particular focus on Japanese art and European decorative objects. With over a decade of experience in the antiques trade, I source and curate pieces for collectors across the UK, the United States, and the international market.
Working primarily online alongside select exhibitions, I am part of a newer generation of dealers helping to modernise the way antiques are researched, presented, and acquired. My approach is built on careful attribution, transparent descriptions, and historically grounded research so clients can buy with confidence.
Through Jacksons Antique, I aim to make important historic objects accessible to both established collectors and those developing their collections.
DECORATIVE | JAPANESE | FINEST OBJECTS