Otto Poertzel’s 1930s cold-painted bronze and ivory Die Aristokraten is priced at £20,000 from Hickmet Fine Arts at the autumn outing of the Classic Antique Fairs.
Organiser John Andrews said the decision to focus on the autumn event allows the team “to concentrate on delivering a strong and wide-ranging fair for both collectors and the trade”.
More than 50 regular exhibitors are confirmed for the event in Hall Eleven, with a small number of stands still available at the time of writing.
The mixed-discipline fair, which ranges from ancient art to contemporary design, has established itself as a key date in the Midlands calendar since Classic Antique Fairs took on the former NEC Art & Antiques Fair brand in 2022.
Ispahan vase by Marc Lalique, £1495 from Solo Antiques at Classic Antique Fairs.
Marking the centenary of the 1925 Paris exhibition that gave Art Deco its name, several exhibitors are offering works from the period.
Hickmet Fine Arts will bring Otto Poertzel’s 1930s cold-painted bronze and ivory Die Aristokraten to the NEC, a showcase of the sculptor’s craftsmanship and the era’s confident glamour. The figure of a woman walking two dogs, raised on a Brazilian green and brown onyx base, is priced in excess of £20,000.
Solo Antiques offers an Ispahan vase by Marc Lalique (1900-77), designed in 1952 and produced c.1980, priced at £1495. While post-dating the Art Deco era, its frosted and clear crystal roses recall the distinct style pioneered by his father René Lalique.
French amethyst and pearl pendant in 18ct gold, £2500 from Plaza 20th Century Jewellery at Classic Antique Fairs.
Elsewhere, Plaza 20th Century Jewellery shows a French amethyst and pearl pendant in 18ct gold, dating from c.1880-1900. The piece centres on a 6.7ct mixed-cut amethyst within concentric pearl-set circles and three suspended amethyst drops, with fleur-de-lys motifs to either side. Stamped with French 18ct gold marks, it is ticketed at £2500.
Other exhibitors include Mark Rowles Fine Art, Andrew Muir Decorative Arts & Design, Garret & Hurst Sculpture, Stephen Kalms Silver, Les Petits Trésors and Scarab. Newcomers Jill Gosling Ceramics and English Porcelain Online join this edition with 18th and 19th century English porcelain.
Andrews added: “Despite the economic challenges, we continue to believe there is a need for a prestigious Midlands fair, and the NEC remains a popular destination for collectors.” He describes the November event as “an opportunity for dealers and buyers alike to round off the year on a positive note”.
The fairs' dates for next year are:
Classic Antique Fairs' Spring Fair at the NEC (Hall 10), April 24-26, 2026
Classic Antique Fairs' Autumn Fair at the NEC (Hall 10), November 20-22, 2026.
