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It might not look much, but the humble unglazed earthenware vessel, pictured right, is believed to be the earliest form of watering pot made in Britain. It’s also the precursor to the metal watering can that did not adopt its recognisable shape until the 17th century.

Bill Blass was a catwalk king, now his furnishings are set to wow the crowds: Designer Bill Blass, whose elegant outfits have been a favourite amongst the well dressed for decades, came fairly late to serious antique buying, but once the well known fashion icon started collecting in the 1970s, he made up for lost time.

CHESHIRE remains a favoured county for fair organisers and Somerset-based Cooper Antiques Fairs are no exception, their premier event in the north being The Cheshire County Antiques Fair, held three times a year at Arley Hall, near Knutsford.

ONE of the best-known figures at quality fairs, Marlborough, Wiltshire period furniture specialist William Cook has just published his third catalogue, and I must say it is as good an example of its type as I have seen all year. Not only is it superbly produced with excellent illustrations, but Billy Cook’s long captions are an informative and enjoyable read.

Leading the sale of vintage fishing tackle and related items held by Angling Auctions at the Chiswick Town Hall on September 27 was this pot-bellied tooled leather and brass creel made by the Yorkshire saddlers Atkinson c.1780.

Association to work with Bailey Fairs: LAPADA fairs are to continue both in London and the provinces but with new venues and new organisers, it has been announced. From next year for their London showcase the UK’s largest antiques association move into Mayfair and from April 14 to 18 launch The Claridge’s LAPADA Art and Antiques Fair at the exclusive Claridge’s Hotel in Brook Street, W1.

A NEW antiques and design warehouse in West London is offering what it believes to be a unique business-to-business opportunity for the trade with the minimum possible risk.