Ardent by Kenneth Webb will be featured by The Purple Onion Gallery
Antique furniture, art, jewellery, vintage fashion, rugs and collectibles will be in full supply at the packed to the rafters Birr Vintage Week antique and art fair on August 5 and 6.
Among more than 30 dealers from right around Ireland in attendance will be Treasures Irish Art of Athlone, Greene’s furniture and jewellery of Drogheda, Ashbrook Antiques of Roscrea with French furniture, Eily Henry vintage of Stradbally, Co. Waterford, Sandra Hogan of Cork with silver and jewellery, Eddie Moylan of Listowel with clocks and watches and Anne Hawkins of Dublin with vintage costume jewellery.
This gives an idea of the nationwide breadth and depth of this long running Bank Holiday fair, founded by the late antique dealer and auctioneer Ena Hocter and organised for many years now by Hibernian Antique Fairs.
A selection of vintage Irish banknotes which Robert Hutchison will bring to the fair.
The fair, which takes place at the County Arms Hotel in the heart of Birr from 11 am to 6 pm on the two days, offers something for everyone. Along with antique furniture and art it will include rarities like a highly collectible early Birr currency token and items to jog the memory like a selection of old Irish banknotes which Robin Hutchison will feature along with a selection of militaria and coins.
The artist Mark O’Neill is perennially popular. Treasures Irish Art will offer a selection of his paintings at their stand in Birr. Treasures have mounted an exhibition of art by Mark O’Neill at their newly opened expanded antique shop in Athlone, just a short walk from their former premises. In an era when so many antique shops have closed it is heartening to find a new one.
Ashbrook Antiques of Roscrea will bring this Louis XV style side table with carrara marble top
Fairs plugged the gap opened up by shop closures and offer a valuable showcase for dealers at a time when retail is among the sectors under huge pressure.
Annamore Antiques from Co. Wicklow will offer a selection of Persian rugs and 18th century artefacts. There will be a selection of furniture and small items at La Belle Epoque, Raymond Byrne of Co. Roscommon will feature porcelain and china and Edward Elliman of Dublin will bring militaria. Watches, wine and that great new collectible, Irish whiskey, are among an eclectic mix of collectibles to be worn, imbibed and generally enjoyed.
The 56th annual Birr Vintage Week runs until August 10 with a packed programme of events in a vintage town with a fine selection of 18th century architecture.
A vintage hat from the stand of Eily Henry