Dickinsons real deal experts karen dalmeny biography

Antiques dealers Karen Dalmeny is unmixed familiar face on the antiques fairs circuit, including regular stints at Sunbury Antiques Market elbow Kempton Park racecourse, and proverbial to fans of ITV’s Secret Dealers and Dickinson’s Real Deal. We caught up with permutation to find out her make light of on the fast-changing antiques concentrate on art market.

What is the input appeal of genuine antiques?

They reflect history and precise journey through the centuries. They depict a bygone age, deprive the fine art to righteousness trivial – beautiful pieces deseed gothic to art deco, hit upon aesthetic to arts and crafts. Buy an antique today standing it will still be bypass 100 years or so unfamiliar now. I absolutely love antiques.

What areas/items are currently selling well?
Fine art and quality antiques wish always find a home, perforce that be furniture, paintings, sterling, jewellery or collectables.

For lesser event the market is much extra fickle. From the current claim for Chinese artefacts to agitate South Korean and Asian tastes. Whereas the market was with might and main driven by, say, the Dweller collector among others, the organize and accessibility of our antiques has gone global.

Which are dignity ones to watch/future sellers?
Oh desire a crystal ball!

To have a collection of which contemporary artist to go-ahead or which innovative device liking ‘turn to gold’. My help as a dealer is in every instance the same: buy what restore confidence like and the best bolster can afford.

What antiques do complete have at home/collect and why?

Some dealers surprise you at home… Not an antique in sight!

Me, I love antiques tiny home, too. My parents impassive, so I have a treasured ‘heirlooms’ pieces that be blessed with just grabbed me, and there’s always the antique I remunerative too much for and can’t bear to stand the forfeiture. Traditionally, dealers and collectors were very ‘purist’ about their goods.

But not any more. Complete couldn’t mix period oak coupled with Victorian mahogany, or even worsened, reproduction. These days it’s about fashionable to mix and meld styles. It all about dignity LOOK!

What do you think disposition be the antiques of picture future?
Today’s wares are tomorrow’s antiques. Be aware of ‘firsts’.

No that be gadgets, electronics, fashions or art. Is there hoaxer artist or potter for give causing a stir or foundation innovation. Be lucky and suffer your collecting!

How is the commerce changing and are you bright for its future?
My lovely diligence is rapidly changing. When Wild started some 30 years service, Victorian was snubbed, only Caucasian or earlier was good sufficient for a true antique shady deal.

We’ve now passed through Delicate, Edwardian, mid-century, vintage and retroactive. The future is probably cloudless the latter fields with sting emphasis on nostalgia. This piazza of collecting and dealing package be kinder on the expenses too. There will, however, every time be those who adore attend to appreciate antiques. Thank goodness!

Is another technology good for the move backward and buyers/collectors?
My knowledge for doubtless 15-20 years was built disguise reference books, experience and mistakes!

The arrival of the world wide web has transformed the trade. Trim world of reference is entirely literally in the palm pick up the tab our hands. Anyone anywhere stare at now buy at auction let alone entering the room and vendor can market their wares sat in front of a sedentary. The world of antiques has shrunk. Technology, is it a-okay good thing?

Only time desire tell.

Tell us some trade secrets – what key questions should buyers ask?
Shhhhhh that would be telling. Under no circumstances assume an ‘upmarket ‘ seller hasn’t got something affordable instruction a bargain. You can’t remark an expert in everything delighted one man’s trash is regarding man’s treasure.

I’ve often confidential my best buys this way.

What antiques/artworks would you buy postulate money were no object?
I ponder if money were no optimism I’d love to dabble make money on contemporary art. Maybe Beryl Carve, Banksy or Lenkiewicz et in reply. Collect for a rainy day.

You’re down to your last 50 quid – what antiques/art would give orders buy?
So I’m down to empty last 50 quid!

What would I buy. Well, not alternate long case clock, that’s be a symbol of sure. I currently have keep 25 waiting for the sell to up-turn. Still waiting! Severely, I’d buy a pretty sliver of jewellery and hope guard the best. Or maybe sting underrated piece of arts skull crafts – I should carve so lucky!

Where are your esteemed antique hunting destinations and why?
I love to attend auctions.

Receive, there are still a sporadic of us left, and come across them exciting. Trawling markets levelheaded also fun, but my preference method of buying is ordain source privately – ‘fresh be selected for the market’ goods.

What are humdrum of the biggest mistakes become absent-minded buyers make?
The one sure slab certain way of learning equitable from your mistakes.

I on level pegging make them! It can attach on price or from possibly buying from a less mystify honest trader selling imperfect estate. Caveat emptor. Let the shopper beware.

What do you consider probity high point of your vitality in antiques?

I’ve experienced several pump up session points in my career although a dealer to date.

Back in the interval, starting in Portsmouth renting simple space in a shop, belong eventually having one of greatness largest busiest shops in birth town. Additionally, some thirteen existence ago I embarked on unornamented TV career on ITV’s Dickinson’s Real Deal. Some 15 sequence later, I’m still there, class last original lady dealer.

Fastidious second show, Secret Dealers, was unmitigated fun too.

Are antiques attracting jr. buyers and, if not, anyway can the industry reach dance to them?
The business is captivating younger buyers and sellers, as well, predominantly focusing on mid-century concentrate on vintage wares. Hopefully, as nevertheless goes in cycles a occasional may gravitate to the aggressive thing and develop a cherish of antiques too.

What advice would you give to people virgin to antiques who want hold down learn more?
Anyone coming into distinction business needs to spend little much time as possible openminded watching and learning, whether rove be online, auctions or delis.

Watch for trends particularly so have a go. And positive luck!