On Friday 4 July 2014, the hottest night of the year, an excited crowd gathered at The Rooftop Restaurant at Alfies Antiques Market for the celebratory party and awards ceremony to announce the winners of the ‘Antiques Young Gun of the Year’ award for 2014.
The winner was the very popular choice of James Gooch owner of Doe and Hope, who was presented his award by the 2013 winner, 23 year old auction house specialist Timothy Medhurst. James commented “I’m naturally delighted to take on the mantle of Antique Young Gun of the Year from the superb ambassador that is Tim Medhurst, and I’m looking forward to both the challenges and benefits that come with the role. It means a lot to be the first bona fide dealer to win the award and I hope I can leave a distinct mark on the year’s proceedings and help the movement continue on an upward trajectory.
Since I was part of the first core of AYGs championing the movement on social media, it is wonderful to be recognised by my peers as an AYG winner. I’ve had many a kind word from all those involved in the trade since the awards, which is incredibly important to me. There are many people who’ve inspired me in the trade and whose work I continue to look up to and, as I see dealing as an art form, I believe there are many an artist out there; many of whom are incredibly underrated. I hope I can bring as much positivity and respect to the trade as I can whilst I am the holder of the award.’
But there were many more prizes on offer in recognition of talent, skill and hard work. Gail, George and I were delighted when Judith Miller, of Miller’s antiques book fame, agreed to present a special award for outstanding future potential. The winner was 18 year old William Potts, who curently deals from the Furniture Cave in Chelsea. William said, “To be nominated as a finalist in the Antiques Young Guns of the Year awards was thrilling. However to win the Judith Miller award for outstanding potential and a Lorfords Antiques special showcase award was more than I could have hoped for – I am over the moon. Huge thanks to all involved with the Young Guns, it is a fantastic organisation.”.
The judging panel, comprising the founders of the movement and key members selected from across the trade, also decided to award for the second year the ‘Special Judges’ Award’. The winner was Marika Clemow of the Antiques Trade Gazette, who has done so much in her varied role to help the industry develop.
Eight young dealers also won space at the prestigious Lorfords@Babdown, giving them a unique opportunity to showcase their stock completely free of charge at the magnificent Lorfords showrooms at Babdown, just outside the antiques hub of Tetbury, Gloucestershire. Each winner was awarded a consecutive three month slot in an imposing showcase arena flanking the entrance. The eight winners will be exhibiting alongside around twenty of Europe’s top decorative dealers are were:
- Alys Dobbie of NanaDobbie
- Edd Thomas of Edd in the Clouds
- Henry Saywell of Henry Saywell
- James Gooch of Doe and Hope
- Lily Trunfull of No1 Lewes
- Matthew Wise of Cubbit Antiques
- Robyn Alston of On the Wall Antiques
- William Potts of Just William Collection
Finally, eleven lucky winners were awarded an exclusive one-year mentorship with eleven established members of the antiques trade. These were:
- Amanda Pickett of Clarke Pickett Antiques with Patrick Macintosh of Macintosh Antiques
- Daniel Larsson of D Larsson Interior with Robert Young
- Edd Thomas of Edd in the Clouds with Marc Allum of the BBC Antiques Roadshow
- Jason Clarke of Jason Clarke Ltd with Lennox Cato
- Jon Irvine of John Irvine Antiques with Mark Goodger of Hampton Antiques
- Lily Trunfull of No1 Lewes with Ashley Gray of Gray Modern & Contemporary Art
- Paul Jones of Paul Jones Antiques with Spencer Swaffer
- Matt Goymer of Delphis Antiques with Ian Towning from Dickinson’s Real Deal
- Oliver Leggett of Lacy Scott & Knight Auctioneers with Nigel Worboys of Worboys Antiques and Antiques are Green Trade Association
- Robyn Alston of On the Wall Antiques with Stuart Atkinson of Fontaine Decorative
- Serhat Ahmet of Serhat Ahmet with Steven Moore of the BBC Antiques Roadshow
The sun shone brightly down on the Antiques Young Guns across the long Summer evening and the partying carried on well into the early hours. If you’re under 39 years old and working in or with antiques, why not join our growing team of Antiques Young Guns? Click here to find out more.
We would like to thank our generous sponsors for the event, The Antiques Trade Gazette, IACF Antiques Fairs, The Battersea Decorative & Textile Fair, LoveAntiques.com, Lorfords Antiques, Alfies Antiques Market, and The Hoarde.
