How to whet your appetite in the kitchen

IN October's column I optimistically promised an article on the Victorian kitchen without having done all my homework on the availability of material - from both my perspective as writer and that of the reader, or collector.

Though not a journalist, I have been forced to borrow a little of their licence and extend the period covered up to 1910 (Edwardian) and even a little beyond. The main reason is that, apart from metalware, there is very little around - and even less in the public domain.

Items such as breadboards, utensils and ceramic trays and moulds wore out, were broken or were discarded in favour of plastics, aluminium and new mass-produced glassware. The justification for extending the period covered is that, apart from the introduction of new materials, nothing much changed until electricity became widely available and people were forced to be more practical after the war and subsequent depression.

THE MARKET

The Antique Trade Gazette reported earlier this month that there is a lot of movement in niche markets. Although their detailed reports of recent niche auction sales did not cover kitchenalia per se, the reasoning applied to movement in tools, angling and sport memorabilia applies equally well to kitchenalia - that niche markets seem more able to withstand economic downturns (including overseas buyers being discouraged by the strong pound). Neil Freeman, previously of Bonhams and now of Angling Auctions in London, believes that collectors will always keep collecting. Alan Blakeman, of BBR Auctions in Elsecar, near Sheffield (regarded as Europe's leading auction house for advertising war, including many kitchen items such as brand-name bearing ceramic pots and bottles) found that there is caution and selectivity at the top end of the market. Curiously, any downturn in the economy will probably increase the volume of collections coming onto the market due to the number of people who invest in collectibles when times are better and cash them in when they are not. Advice - as always, take advantage of any buyer's market by going for quality, rarity and authenticity.

HAREWOOD HOUSE-

A FINE EXAMPLE OF ALL THREE

I had the opportunity of previewing the Victorian Christmas kitchen weekend at Harewood House (October 24/25). The event is annual and always hugely popular. This year's event was managed by food and kitchen historian Peter Brears who acts in a consultancy capacity for numerous stately homes, National Trust properties and museums throughout Britain and abroad.

Harewood is of special interest to Peter as the kitchen and its contents are an accurate snapshot of early Victorian times, particularly the magnificent display of copper pots, pans and food moulds. Virtually all pieces are original to Harewood and that provenance alone probably carries a premium of up to 50 per cent on current market values. Nonetheless, unattributable pieces on the open market don't come cheap. A small set of three graduated copper saucepans from the 19th century will cost around £150 - and another £75 for the lids as they are invariably sold, and often displayed, separately. Larger items, such as fish kettles, gipsy kettles (or 'drudges'), pot roasters and hemispherical jam or sugar pans can be worth anything between £100 and £500 apiece. Hint - iron riveted handles, rather than brass, are an indication of greater age and are more likely to be on Victorian pieces.

The real surprise is the current prices fetched by copper jelly and other food moulds. Whereas identical items in aluminium, dating from the 1930s, are widely available at around £3 each, the earlier heavy gauge copper ones start at around £200. Peter Brears told me that prices in specialist kitchen antiques shops in London start at £300 and go up to around £1,000 for rarer items such as hinged moulds (pictured above)!

Warning - be entirely satisfied as to the credentials of the vendor. Copies from the Far East, in much lighter gauge copper, have flooded Western Europe and are popping up in Britain alongside similar fakes such as kettles.

Copper kettles themselves are not a difficult subject. Virtually indistinguishable between 1870 and 1930, prices start at around £75 and go up to £150 depending on condition, shape and variations in detail such as hinges and finials. Expect to pay around £100 for each of the ones illustrated. Cast iron kettles, often damaged, are worth half.

Smaller items still in everyday use such as copper skimmers (£30 to £70), enamel spicepots (£40 to £120, and make sure there are six that match, both pictured above) and breadboards (£10 to £35, and up to £200 for some with intricate carvings) are more poplar than more impractical or obscure items such as tin icing syringes and make excellent gifts. Everyday utensils such as wooden spatulas, pastry cutters, mixing bowls, knives and whisks all add character and authenticity for a few pounds. Charity shops, fairs and multi-occupied antiques centres are all good places to look.

Pictured bottom left is kitchen specialist Andreas Marinkovic's stand at the Great Northern Antiques Fair at Harrogate's Yorkshire Showground earlier this month. Based in Haworth, Andreas exhibits all over the UK and is a leading authority in British and Continental kitchenalia. He may be contacted on 01274 834835. Peter Brears, also a local, may be contacted on 0113 2756537. You may be able to see him in action at Harewood House from April 2 to 5 at their next Victorian kitchen event.

Suggested reading - The 1998/9 Miller's Collectibles Guide, £17.99 (earlier editions are useful information sources but values have increased in the last two years) and Miller's Collecting Kitchenware, £16.99. Other interesting sources are small paperback collector's guides available at many fairs, around £2.50 each, and turn of the century magazines in which many utensils are advertised for sale. Those of you more interested in the cuisine and its preparation should be able to find old copies of books of the day (eg, 'Beeton's All About Cookery') for £5 to £10 at most large second-hand bookshops. Specialists charge at least double but, as with everything else, you are more likely to find what you want in a fraction of the time.

OUT AND ABOUT AND COMPETITION

Many of you will have visited the three-day event at the showground on November 6 to 8. I am pleased to report that the continuing work done by North Yorkshire Trading Standards at all venues in the county seems to have had an effect with only two prosecutions for counterfeits pending (one for forged Sylvac ceramics of all things) and two more for repeated breaches of the North Yorkshire Act, under which dealers are required to register with NYTS and keep meticulous records of stock and sales.

Andrew Hartley's Auctions in Ilkley have a couple of major attractions coming up - a catalogue antiques and fine arts sale on December 2 and their annual wine sale on the afternoon and evening of Friday, December 11. Alas, I shall be away for the latter but hope to review the sale from a investment perspective in next month's column.

Weekend fairs abound from now until Christmas. The finest within daily travelling distance is the Bailey Christmas Hoghton Tower Antiques Fair on December 11 to 13, near Preston. Unfortunately, their Swinton Castle (near Masham) event for December 4/6 has been cancelled.

A bit of a trip, but tickets, each for three adults and worth £15, go to the first ten names pulled out of the hat on Wednesday, December 2. Which cut of beef if Henry VIII said to have knighted, clue - the name is still un current use. Answer, please, to Antiques Corner Competition, Wharfedale Newspapers, 9 Orchard Gate, Otley, LS21 3NX. The answer to last month's question, the wandering Dutch evangelist painter who died hard of hearing in France, was, of course, Vincent van Gogh.

CORRECTION

A couple of months ago I said that the cost of the first year's membership of the prestigious British Antiques Dealers' Association (BADA) was the best part of £2,000. BADA have asked me to clarify this; application costs £47, registration £528.75 and another £528.75 for the membership itself - total £1,104.50. Thanks go to BADA for correcting me and being kind enough to invite an application!

A LOCAL EVENT?

You may have read two weeks ago that Otley and District Chamber of Trade and Commerce are on the lookout for new ways or raising levels of interest and awareness in the area. One of the ideas under discussion at their October meeting was a monthly antiques and collectors fair - with strict rules concerning new and reproduction goods. If agreed, the event is likely to be held on the last Sunday of each month, possibly starting around Easter. Views and suggestions, particularly for a suitable venue, may be put to the chamber via me on 01943 463380.

FINALLY

Are there any dealers or collectors who would like to suggest coverage of their pet subject or specialism?

Do any readers have questions they would like me to try and answer? All suggestions, and indeed contributions, gratefully received. Otherwise I shall indulge myself and tell you all about my own specialism, French earthenware (eg Quimper).

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.