And sometimes a forecaster of the economic climate. New trends always shows up at the Fair, which is open from today until Sunday, with more than 45 top dealers from across the decorative and fine arts fields – furniture, silver, porcleain, ceramics, glass, prints, textiles and art. 

It’s a strong mix of an up-to-date audience too, that appreciates great material, and one that is always looking for the superb piece as well as the interesting bibelot.  

Prices are as low as we can remember  (though rare pieces can still sell for substantial sums), but are a shadow of the wicked sums paid 100 years ago during the heyday of “le goût Rothschild,” when millionaires’ drawing rooms from Manhattan to Mayfair were stuffed with exquisite French rococo furniture and artefacts.   

And with mega brands like Chanel to Gucci, who have their finger on the pulse of what’s next, featuring antiques galore in their latest advertising campaigns – there simply isn’t a better time to buy.  

There has been an explosion of interest in porcelain, bronze, ceramics, and glass, according to Vice President of AAADA, Chris Hughes.  

Antiques bring presence, even grandeur, to any room. Embellishment. Texture. Plus lots of style. And personality. That’s why the spotlight is back on smaller antique items – they are an easy way to update a room, and add an individual touch you can love forever. 

Booths will beckon — some arranged as room settings, with Continental and English furniture, Asian rugs and accessories ranging from Chinese, Japanese and Staffordshire porcelain to paintings, prints, jewellery, boxes and historical documents. Just the kind of thing to give your house soul, individuality, and pedigree.  

Seek out splendid Japanese Kutani temple dogs, circa 1900, among other treasures at Alan Landis, (always popular) and beautiful porcelain vases at Moorabool,  supported on tripod goats legs and heads with moulded rococo scrollwork spreading towards the base with gilt details and turquoise top. At Antiquarian seek out engraved silver and enamel singing bird boxes.  

Head straight to Brans Antiques for pieces that look good in stand alone isolation, which is what antiques are all about now.  Nineteenth century bronzes, Tang period seated Buddhas, a fifteenth- century Tuscan Madonna; the minimalism of the display of such pieces seems to pay off.

Plus, there’s a lecture lined up on Saturday, including ‘Fake or Fortune’ where you will learn about how to collect to silver. Here’s a line up of who’s on show: