Antique Dealers: Buying, Selling and Collecting

What is an antique? What makes an antique valuable? Discover the world of antique dealing.

This display reveals the individual character and rich history of antique dealers.

Discover the key aspects of antique dealing as it evolved in the 20th century. Explore three leading British antique dealer businesses: Phillips of Hitchin, R.A., Lee Fine Arts Ltd and Roger Warner Antiques.

For these three dealers, buying and selling antiques became an intense passion. One that led them to assemble their own collections.

A range of objects, which formerly featured in dealers’ private collections, are on show.

Visit the exhibition to see stunning tiles by the Arts & Crafts designer William de Morgan, an intriguing 19th century mousetrap and an 18th century Queen Anne side chair.

The exhibits come from Leeds University Library Special Collections, Temple Newsam House and private collections belonging to the dealers’ descendants.

The display is co-curated by Dr Mark Westgarth and accompanies SOLD! The Great British Antiques Story currently on display at The Bowes Museum.