Behind The Scenes Of The Antiques Roadshow

Roadshow Miscellaneous specialist Mark Hill goes behind the scenes of the BBC Antiques Roadshow as it celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2017… Click here to view the 2017 dates and venues for filming the Antiques Roadshow A set of Beatles autographs, a battered teddy bear, granny’s beloved china tea set, a diamond ring, a plastic […]

Curious Glass – An Enamelled Opalescent ‘Sunflower’ Vase

Opalescent Sunflower Vase

It’s usually the things that nobody knows about that attract and intrigue me. If they’re of a certain (good, or fine) quality, or have an interesting look, I want to know more. Browsing around the Cambridge Glass Fair, I came upon this rather unusual looking small posy vase. Somewhat etherial, it’s also rather appealing. “But […]

A Quick Trip – Helsinki & Pentti Sarpaneva

1970s Pentii Sarpaneva Oy Kumela vase © Mark Hill Publishing Ltd

The many different hats I wear for my career often take me to unexpected places. Last month, I was delighted to be asked to visit Helsinki in Finland, home to many a notable mid-century modern glass factory and designer, from Iittala to Riihimäki and Alvar Aalto to Timo Sarpaneva. I don’t often get too much […]

The Mossy Dwarf Receives His Guests Seated

Mossy Dwarf

As regular readers of my blog will know, I’m a huge fan of etchings and have bought them since I was schoolboy. I never spend much, I just buy what I like. The more bizarre or bonkers they are, the better. I usually buy without knowing much or anything about the etching or the artist, […]