LIKE THE YEAR

So what’s on your new year radar? Are you renovating? Building your collection? Starting a new passion or perhaps just enjoying what you have. Whatever the year ahead we hope it brings you joy.

Now more than ever we are trying to retune our lives to be mindful of what we consume. What changes have you made recently? Perhaps started a compost, repaired a loved item or found renewed love for items packed away.

If you have the space, putting pieces away for a little while is a lovely way to rotate collections and let the items you love shine in your house. There’s also something wonderful about rediscovering an item, it’s like shopping in your own house!

As we move through different stages of life pieces that may take or have taken centre stage may become less than desirable, think toddlers in a house full of art glass. It’s then we have the opportunity to reassess what we want in our house and how we will still enjoy decorating the spaces. Could the collection be housed in a cabinet or moved to higher ground? Could you sell them and buy something that suits your new lifestyle better? Could you lend them to someone or are you not quite ready to let them go, so storage is the best option.

The beautiful part of buying antiques and art is that the option to sell is available and it brings with it new passions to welcome into your world. While there is a strong second hand market for many things, you may find that your collection, or piece, has more value than you realise and with that begins a new opportunity to purchase something else you will love.

Speaking from experience I love knowing that once a piece has lived its life in my world I can sell or trade it in for something else. I was given a large vintage poster for my 18th birthday and when my living arrangements changed and I no longer had the space to display it, I sold it. It wasn’t a quick process but within a year I had the proceeds to purchase something else. I wanted to continue the tradition of something special so I bought a beautiful pair of Victorian diamond and gold earrings. This new incarnation of my original gift was made possible by a little bit of research and finding the right dealer to sell through.

Around Australia our members and service providers can be a wonderful resource in your life. When we want to move an item on and breathe new life into our world they can facilitate a sale or purchase directly from you. Each dealer works in their own way but they are always looking for new pieces to buy and sell and your item or collection may be the one. A quick phone call or email explaining what you want to sell is all you need to do to get the ball rolling. If they aren’t the right person they may be able to refer you to someone else or point you in the right direction.

Antiques dealers are, as their name suggests, traders in interesting, fine and quality items that can have long and interesting lives. So next time you are ready for a refresh, think about what you could sell to give yourself the means to purchase something new (or should I say old).

Tira Lewis, Australian Antique & Art Dealers Association

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For a full list of our dealers and service providers head to our website aaada.org.au.

AAADA ANTIQUES & ART FAIR MELBOURNE

9-12 JUNE 2023

KING’S BIRTHDAY WEEKEND

MALVERN TOWN HALL

AAADA.ORG.AU/MELBOURNE

AAADA ANTIQUES & ART FAIR SYDNEY

7-10 SEPTEMBER 2023

WHITE BAY CRUISE TERMINAL

AAADA.ORG.AU/SYDNEY