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.
Sometimes when collecting it isn’t neccessary, or even wise, to negotiate. You look, you establish the price, you pay, you flee. You hope you have acquired title.
These watercolours exemplify this approach. Car boot sale, loose change price, quick exit.
Examined at leisure this kind of purchase occassional disappoints; a hidden flaw the usual culprit. In this case they look better every time I look at them.
A pair of watercolours executed in a fine style, probably an English hand, of Dutch scenes; measuring 24cm x 16cm with no apparent signature.
The tower appears to be the Munttoren in Amsterdam, built in the early 17th century and the scenes look like they could be 18th or early 19th century.
Here’s an interesting thing; I bought this yesterday I think initially because it was offered as something I would know about. Susceptible to this kind of flattery I affected some knowledge and I feel it was more hunch than erudition that tipped me into buying it. If I had REALLY known anything about old prints I would have known the name of Melchior Tavernier. Anyway I figured that it would, re-framed, make an interesting decorative print and would look pretty nifty on one of Umsinga’s many walls.
However not content to leave it at that I embarked on a little light research and the urging of my instinct may have paid off. It is what it appears to be; 17th century, original, and rare. Add to the mix a very attractive subject it could be a seller. And if I want to improve the potential for agood sale it must remain ‘as found’; no re-mounting, or re-framing, selling ‘as seen’.
A little more research, perhaps through auction records will help work out a selling strategy.
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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