Mark Goodger, specialist in antique boxes, speaks toMolly Malsomabout their unique appeal and why they make thoughtful Christmas gifts, plus he shares his tips on the best way to care for them
Talking Shop
Antique boxes are used today for decorative and practical purposes. Take an old sewing or vanity box void of all its contents – they’re incredibly well made (far better than you can get from the high street) and made from materials not as readily found today. They make wonderful jewellery, keepsake and memory boxes. Writing boxes are particularly popular for laptops and tablets – they’re great for keeping them safe!
Tea caddies are proving most popular at the moment, due to their interesting shapes, sizes, materials and forms. We’ve seen everything from novelty fruit shapes to a wonderful inlaid tea chest with Georgian silver tea caddies. But, beware: their popularity means there are a lot of fakes being created, which more inexperienced collectors are purchasing, under the impression they’ve found a good bargain.
If you’re looking to buy an antique box, don’t dive in straight away. The internet offers an accessible method for seeing a huge variety of pieces, but you can easily be swayed by well-written copy and wonderfully doctored images. Be patient, see the box in person where possible and don’t be afraid to ask questions. We dealers love to talk about our pieces. Anyone registered to trade associations such as BADA, LAPADA and CADA is a good port of call.
Christmas is always a busy time for us. Antique boxes offer customers something different and make for beautiful yet practical gifts. Take a wonderful decanter box, for example. It graces the room and can be greatly admired, but then it’s opened to reveal cut-glass d
