The grateful guest of a law firm to see Madonna perform at the 02 arena in London on Saturday night, I came across this poignant tribute to the undisputed ‘King of Pop’. Scheduled to perform some 50 concerts at the arena during July and August, it’s possible that the mental and physical strain these caused […]
And I bought a hat specially too! Having experienced the blazing Summer heat the UK is experiencing on past Roadshows, I thought I’d come prepared this time. You can imagine my annoyance when both the Met Office and BBC weather both predicted rain and thundery showers. Well I should have trusted my instincts – not […]
Last week I found myself lecturing in Worthing, where I was confronted with my fantasy antiques shop. Alas, as the sharp eyed will notice, it was closed for the day. So no chance for me of tasting some of Mrs Overall’s delicious homemade macaroons with a nice cup of tea, or even a wee dram […]
…but with no fuzzy TV screens in sight. I am, of course, referring to Kevin Graham’s long-awaited magnum opus (or 0pi) on postwar West German Ceramics. With nearly a decade of research behind him, my good friend Kevin will finally be publishing two books on 1st July. The first is ‘From Spritzdekor to Fat Lava’, […]
Every now and again in Miller’s Towers, we come across names that make us smile in the course of researching our books. Here’re some we’ve found recently: May Doorbar, Charlotte Rhead’s housekeeper. Gwendoline Suckling, decorator at Poole Pottery from 1935-39. Thelma Bush, decorator at Poole Pottery, from 1966-68. Fuller Pilch, cricket batsman, known for his […]
Well, at least the rain held off! It was that that everyone seemed most worried about as the merry band of Antiques Roadshow production crew and specialists gathered in the beautifully manicured grounds of Saumarez Manor on the idyllic island of Guernsey. The photo above shows the event just before the gates opened. What you […]
Paul Atterbury and I talking at the start of yesterday’s Antiques Roadshow in Brooklands Museum in sunny Surrey.
Of course it had to be a chequered flag – a stylish and perfectly suitable opening to the Antiques Roadshow at Brooklands motoring and aviation museum in sunny Surrey today. As soon as it was dramatically swept down, thousands of visitors, excitedly clutching their antiques and collectables, made their way to the tables of waiting […]
…before we move on from Fat Lava. Many collectors choose one shape, and then try to find as many different glazes as they can on the same shape. In the past year, Graham Cooley has found 136 different glaze treatments on the popular Scheurich 401 jug vase – he and independent filmmaker Nigel Edwards of […]
If you’re into Fat Lava, the crazy and unique ceramics produced in West Germany from the 1960s-70s, you simply must take a trip to Reading this month. I’ve just got back from the grand opening today, and my jaw is still on the floor. Eminent private collector Graham Cooley and progressive dealer Al Baynham of […]
It’s finally here! The second, revised and expanded edition of Fat Lava has finally arrived! After a couple of glitches, a long lorry drew up outside today to deliver a palette of boxes. The moment it did this, the clouds opened and the rain poured down. With no trolley, each and every box had to […]
…and I inadvertently saved the best for last. Before I travel anywhere, I always spend an evening trawling the web for places to visit. This time I found a new gallery, Gallery 567 on Benczur Utca, which I hadn’t come across before and looked right up my street. Open by appointment only, it’s well worth […]