Antiques come out to play

Terry Totton displays a family heirloom, a 1920s Czechoslovakian vase.

26 May 2009

The antique-fest – arrayed on tables in a big marquee – was held in Timaru’s Radius Elloughton Gardens. Devonshire teas offered time out from the antique stalls, along with entertainment from folk musician Andie Kelly and demonstrations of lace-making.

Deric Blackler of Portobello Antiques (in Christchurch) worked four hours non-stop, valuing 65 treasures brought in by members of the public. Old things have fascinated Deric since he bought his first antique at a school fair at the age of 4. “Ownership of an antique is often not all that important to collectors,” he says. “It’s more about appreciation of history and form.

“Ownership is just a necessary evil to go through the other phases that give pleasure to the collector. There’s so much scope to collecting antiques, it never ends.”

Anglican Care South Canterbury manager Christine Johnson was thrilled by the event because it lifted the profile of the organization and also raised money for grief and loss programmes. She has had plenty of positive feedback and is now keen to make it an annual event.