This blog will from time to time complement my Wales Antiques Web Site and its printed companion. The guide is a developing listing of general suppliers of antiques and collectables in Ceredigion, Pembrokeshire, Carmarthenshire, Powys and beyond; it now including auctions and in the future specialist heritage related attractions. Over 23 years it has become an essential resource for anyone with an interest in buying and selling antiques and collectables in West Wales and Beyond. If you would like to know more visit the site here.
The WALES ANTIQUES GUIDE is published annually each spring and distributed across Mid and West Wales and beyond. We have been publishing the Guide since 1987 – twenty-three sucessful years! If you are interested in finding out more about the Wales Antiques Guide contact Paul Williams on 01239 615866 or 07790438157 or by email at paul_williams@btinternet.com. Prepared and designed by Paul Williams with the help of Norman Williams and John Higginbottom.
I’m updating fair and auction dates for my web site Wales Antiques…
If you have fair or auction dates that you think should be included post them here.
Today I bought an Afghan Rug; my expertise in this field is close to zero but I can tell a man made from machine made. It was hanging lazily and modestly in a dealers stall in Cardigan Market and was reasonably priced. Light and portable it was tucked under my arm and transported to its new home.
Quite excited about this rug I’ve spent a few hours researching as best I can. I’m excited not because it is rare or desperately valuable but because it’s an opportunity to pore over something skillfully and uniquely made.
I’m always drawn to rugs of this type and there are many about and I’d guess even (or especially) they’re arriving from Afghanistan by the truckload. However, usually, the antique examples I see are very worn and threadbare, damaged, restored or out of my price range.
This was definately in my price range (a computer game, or something like, would have to wait) and it was in excellent condition. Apart from its ‘one of a kind’ -ness this piece turned out to be wider at one end than the other by about a couple of inches. No matter, idiosyncratic is good.
This has a peculiarly deep indigo ground, some subtle colours in the border motifs and (once one’s eye becomes accustomed to the dizzying colour and design) it reveals itself as depicting two large vases. Four smaller vases float in attendance. The weaver has further elaborated this theme with a repeating floral and leaf border. Damn me if they don’t look like poppies though I expect to be disabused of this notion by someone less naive.
The colours in borders, reds, golds, greens, oranges and a kind of mustardy yellow, are stunning.
I’ve just received my first newsletter from Tim Bowen Antiques. If you are a fan of all things Welsh and Antique this is a must visit showroom…
Welcome to our first newsletter.
We aim to keep you informed of new stock, forthcoming exhibitions and also some things you might find useful or interesting.
New Stock
Winter Exhibition 2009
Catalogue on line
New publications
New Welsh Quilting Centre
Winter Exhibtion 2009
Our Winter Selling Exhibition starts on Saturday 14 November and is open every day 10am – 5pm until Saturday 21 November. The catalogue will be in the post…Royal Mail permitting! by the end of October.Just in case, it will also be available as a pdf document on our website home page from 2 November.
Also this year, by popular request we will include the price list and prices will also be available on the website. Items will be available to buy from 2nd November. www.timbowenantiques.co.uk The Jen Jones Quilt Centre opened its doors this summmer at the Old Town Hall in Lampeter. There is an excellent permanent exhbition of Welsh Quilts and a changing exhibition of contemporary Welsh design and art. Well worth a visit, especially if you are visiting us and staying a few days. Also stop at the Welsh Woolen Museum near Newcastle Emlyn. www.jen-jones.com Books Welsh Samplers by Chris S Stephens and Eleri Davies Gomer Press £3.99 good small but informative book on a subject near to our hearts. A Christmas Collection from Wales also by Chris S Stephens at £7.99 – both plus packaging and good as stocking fillers. Early British Chairs and Seats by Tobias Jellinek published by Antique Collectors Club. A wonderful book well written in a style to amuse and entertain as well as enlighten. www.antiquecollectorsclub.com Tim Bowen Antiques, Ferryside, Carmarthenshire info@timbowenantiques.co.uk
This is the blog of Paul Williams, Ceredigion resident since 1970. I am an English and Philosophy graduate of what was once known as St David's University College, at Lampeter . I played bass in Dyfed's first punk band and, living in Llandewi Brefi, had a grandstand view of Operation Julie . Eventually, after 2 years playing bass in Brighton's 256th punk band , I returned to Wales to deal in books and then antiques. I've trained and worked as a counsellor, I am a photographer, blog and web designer and I publish the annual Wales Antiques Guide . I am married and a father of one.
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