We are delighted to announce the launch of our newly redesigned web site.
Away with the clutter!!
We have stripped it down to the minimum and have listed our prices so you can now buy direct from the web site.
We have also changed the name to Nicholas Wells Antiques www.nicholaswells.co.uk although idhome.co.uk will continue to link to the site.
We look forward to a fresh look for 2012 and to sourcing interesting new pieces for you.
At a time of financial uncertainty the salerooms continue to buck the trend and achieve prices at retail level and higher. Strong demand for fine walnut pieces pushed the sale prices at Christies King Street well into the estimate with some exceptions making well over. On the flip side, some of the very highly priced walnut chests and bachelors chests with estimates up to £100,000 failed to sell which showed a degree of caution on the higher end. The tea caddy collection however was pursued by a robust group of collectors who pushed the prices to retail levels, making any opportunity for the trade a distant dream. On a positive note, however for those with tea caddies in stock, the market has proved buoyant and still strong. In fact for those collectors interested in Georgian tea caddies, you may well find that your local dealer could save you a fortune.
The value of antiques is so subjective, the price of an item may rise or fall as it passes from one dealer to another, to a collector and back to a dealer.
With this in mind and the variation in price ultimatly depending on what the buyer is willing to pay, I have started a “Make an Offer” option on www.idhome.co.uk – now everything listed has a “Make an Offer” Button.
It might sound slightly odd, but my idea of a good deal is one where both parties are happy. Hopefully, the things I buy have a profit margin to cover my time, travel and expertise. I believe that is worth paying a bit extra for, especially when you concider how rare the objects are.
So, please take a look at my site, and if you see anything that you like, then let me know what you would like to pay & I’ll concider your kind offer.
While, Im here I should point out this fine new aquisition….
Last year many antique and fine art dealers were forced to close their premises as a direct result of high rent and business rate increases, at a faster rate than in previous recessions. While the Chancellor’s rethink on the previously tabled increase in business rates shows some sensitivity to the needs of businesses, it does not do enough to help this often overlooked sector.
Antiques.co.uk has created an online petition that will be submitted to the Government to lobby for increased support and encouragement for the industry in this time of need.
Please consider signing the petition. Your voice will go a long way to helping the industry as a whole and help keep the Antiques and Fine Art trade healthy and stable.
Once we have obtained as many signatures as possible we shall be delivering this petition to the Chancellor of the Exchequer, Rt Hon Alistair Darling MP to gain his response.
To submit your signature and comments to the petition, simply click here: Sign the Petition
A copy of the original letter as it appeared in The Times can be viewed here, whilst the current petition signatories can be viewed below.
There are currently over 1000 signatures on the petition.
