Looking for treasure
A report published in February by the Portable Antiquities Scheme and the British Museum has found that 74,506 archaeological items were reported found in 2023, which is an increase in 39% from the previous year. That’s a lot of people out in the fields with metal detectors – 95% of the finds, which included a Roman coins dating from 28BC-14AD, a Charles I silver shilling and a bronze age anvil, were found in agricultural areas with people using metal detectors. Finders are required to report treasure in the UK but many are listed on a voluntary basis.
The legacy of the Willow pattern
It’s probably the most recognised pattern in the history of ceramics: the Willow pattern. And from June to December it will be the subject of an exhibition co-curated by Tiejun Hou, who is professor of ceramic history at Jingdezhen Ceramic University, and Neil Brownsword, who is professor of ceramic art at the University of Staffordshire. They are collaborating to produce Legacy and Continuity: Willow Pattern Wares and Other Stories, which will be on exhibition at the Spode Museum in Stoke-on-Trent before potentially moving to Jingdezhen in 2026 as part of the International Academy of Ceramics Conference.
Love classic? Then you’ll love this car boot sale
The first Classic Car Boot Sale, organised in the UK by a company called Hemingway Design, appeared in 2011 but since then they’ve popped up all over the UK. They’ve become very popular for vintage fashion-spotting and classic car ogling as well as trading vintage fashion, accessories and homewares. The first Sale for 2025 was held at Kings Cross in London in late April and included a display of classic Citroen DS cars. The London events are rated No 1 for Car Boots Sales in the UK, with vinyl playing from the 1920s to the 1980s while you shop vintage direct from British classics of the ‘70s to spectacular chromed Cadillacs of the ‘50s – all of which are driven to the event by their owners. It’s a great spin on the average Car Boot Sale and it’s gaining a huge following, with many people dressing in vintage clothing for the occasion. The organisers even encourage visitors to dress up their dogs.
Performance art in an antiquarian bookshop?
An elegant artist sweeping dramatically into the room to perform a solo dance… live jazz played at a Steinway & Sons mini grand piano… a star vocalist singing with one of the guests… none of it is what you’d expect to come across at the launch of a new catalogue of antiquarian books, but it’s exactly what happened on a mild London evening at Peter Harrington Rare Books. It was a double celebration for the firm: revealing their new performing arts catalogue, and the expansion of a flagship gallery opening in New York. According to Pom Harrington, director of the company, the change of vibe was quite possibly overdue and quietly strategic, with the aim of attracting new customers through the door and at the same time changing the perceptions of the rare book world.
Bugatti alert
The stunning works of Rembrandt Bugatti were featured in the Autumn 2024 issue of Antiques to Vintage and now the London Art Fair will be showcasing ‘the most important UK exhibition on the Bugatti family in almost half a century’. The first British exhibition of the Bugattis since 1979, it features a selection of 30 artworks, designs and cars by Carlo Bugatti and his sons Rembrandt and Ettore as well as grandson Jean, with several of the pieces being loaned by some of today’s most important Bugatti collectors. The London Art Fair is at the Royal Hospital Chelsea from June 26 to July 1.
Movers and Shakers is a regular column in Antiques to Vintage magazine, alongside the European column and our US Baby Boomers column.
