A few weeks ago, I was helping a dear friend go through some ephemera he had collected into a folio over the years. As a thank you, he kindly gave me two small mounted Victorian prints that I had rather taken a shine to. He knows I’m a fan of antique prints – an undisputed […]
Could my flea market art find be worth thousands? Over the past few years, it’s struck me that there’s an increasingly huge number of fakes in Modern British art out there in the wild. And, yes, I use that word intentionally – fakes. Because that’s exactly what they are, as they are intended to deceive. […]
Although novelty animal figurines can be desirable and even valuable, the vast majority are of relatively low value, commonly found, and can be hard to sell even though favourites such as dogs have a legion of fans. But never dismiss them out of hand – always look closer. This strange old bird holds a great […]
Mark Hill examines a 1970s abstract painting by an as yet unknown Iranian or Persian woman artist.
Antiques expert Mark Hill looks at a battered antique 1920s Steiff teddy bear bought in Berlin. Worn by love but still full of character, think about the stories he holeds within him.
Mark Hill examines a newly rediscovered 1930s Modern British painting by studio potter and artist William Staite Murray.
Antiques and modern design expert Mark Hill examines the incredible life and work of artist and sculptor Ron Hitchins.
Antiques expert Mark Hill examines a curious, sculptural wooden hand carved during the Victorian period in Malawi, Africa.
In 2013, I wrote a blog post on the origins of iridescent glass. Despite credit usually going to the hugely successful Art Nouveau iridescent glass produced by Tiffany and Loetz from the 1890s onwards, the origins of iridescent glass actually date back to 1856 and a Hungarian chemist and technician called Leo Valentin Pantocek. You […]
Antiques expert Mark Hill examines a ceramic vase by Edge Malkin, which is not as modern as it may appear.
Antiques expert Mark Hill considers a Georgian patch box or snuff box, bought for a song in Brighton, and then rescued by a heroic drag queen.
Antiques & modern design expert Mark Hill looks at the life and work of studio glassmaker William Warehall.