Leading antiques dealer Ambrice Miller, Founder of UK-based Relic art and antiques, demystifies the world of antiques markets and shares her expert tips for unearthing a treasure
(LEFT) AMBRICE WITH HER ATELIER ASSISTANTS THEO AND EDISON; (RIGHT) UNEARTHING TREASURES ON A SOURCING TRIP. IMAGES: AMBRICE MILLER
Shopping at antiques fairs can be both thrilling and intimidating. With a practiced eye and a passion for the stories objects carry, art and antiques dealer Ambrice Miller shares how to navigate antiques markets and brocantes with confidence – preparing well, spotting true value and avoiding costly mistakes. Here, we unravel the mystique of collecting, revealing how art and antiques lend depth and soul to a home, while empowering even the most hesitant to begin their own rewarding search.
How did you first get into dealing in antiques and art?
For as long as I can remember, I have loved art. I was constantly doodling and looking through art and interiors magazines from the age of seven or eight. That love and curiosity of art continued when, at the age of 11, I applied to a performing arts school with a major in art. I went on to study art and classics at university then moved to London. I have collected art and antiques my entire life and it only accelerated after moving to the UK. After years of collecting I launched Relic at the end of 2019.
Why is it important for you to have antiques in your home?
I measure a space by the feeling it gives you when you enter, and the simplest way to add character and depth to a space is to have pieces in it that tell a story. My personal style is maximalism through layering (I have hoarding tendencies!) and I love to settle into a room and feel like I am rediscovering it when my eyes land on something I have forgotten about. It’s also the inviting nature of having many things in a room; it invites you to stay a while and take it in slowly. If nothing else, I want to invite and entertain the eye in every room in my home.
For someone who is new to visiting an antiques market, what would you recommend they take with them?
A tape measure! My friends laugh at me because my bag often resembles Mary Poppins’, especially when I pull out my tape measure. It’s one thing to trust your eye on the scale of a piece you come across or your memory of the size of a space in your home, but with a tape measure and some rough dimensions of what you’re working with, you will never go wrong. I learned this the hard way when I underestimated the length of a 4m table. Let’s just say that piece lingered in the warehouse and not in my dining room, much to my dismay.
Do you recommend researching specific items or styles in advance and setting a budget before you go?
The beauty, and sometimes the frustration, of an antiques market is that you never know what you will come across, so it is almost impossible to prepare. However, the more you research, visit shops, search online, go to auctions, browse catalogues, speak to dealers; the more you become familiar with the general price of things. But never get swept away in the frenzy of buying in an antiques market, as you don’t want to overpay or buy something that is not quality. The more you visit fairs and physically handle objects, you’ll soon get an understanding of what constitutes quality and how much it’s worth.
Is there a best time of day to visit antique markets and do dealers price differently at the start versus the end of a market?
SUPER EARLY if you’re looking to resell! Or super late if you’re buying for yourself, as there are always bargains to be had at the end of the day – most stallholders don’t want to leave with a full van. However, if you’re buying to resell or for a client, arrive early and put in the time to get to know dealers; the relationships and friendships you make is the best part of it all.
Antique markets can feel overwhelming – what’s your strategy for navigating them successsfully?
Have conviction, if you love it and it’s in budget then buy it, because it will sell before you have time to go back. Not all dealers accept cards, so carry cash – also, you can haggle better with cash. Do a first lap focusing on pieces that immediately catch your eye, then your second and third laps (with a decent coffee break in between) are for slow wandering and asking the dealers as many questions as you can. It can be easy to get so fixated on getting the ‘right’ or ‘best’ piece, that it feels stressful. Remember, this is supposed to be fun!
How can beginners start to recognise quality craftsmanship or materials?
With furniture look for solid wood, natural materials, dovetails on drawers and a maker’s mark on the casters of chairs or underneath. I would advise buying a few old antique guidebooks or antiques encyclopaedias (you can always pick them up at charity shops) and flip through them when you have a bit of time. They also make great coffee table books.
How do you decide whether something is a good price and should you try to negotiate?
With most pieces, unless it’s my first time coming across something like it, I can gauge its price; that comes from years of learning, obsessively watching auctions and my background in art. But simply by going to fairs and asking the prices of things, you will slowly start building up a mental database of price points. Do not underestimate how trends can inflate the price of pieces – make sure you buy quality, not trends. And always negotiate; the worst they can say is ‘no’ and you are no worse off than if you didn’t ask. They will not sell it to you at a loss, so don’t ever feel bad for haggling.
Are receipts or documentation important to request?
Always ask for any documentation, especially if it’s a higher price point or you plan to resell it. You might not be able to get it all, but most can write receipts. Documentation is key if you are exporting or buying on behalf of someone else, or buying as an investment piece. For the finer pieces, you can always have it valued or validated by an auction house later. Be wary if it seems too good to be true; there are still some less authentic pieces out there. Never feel pressured to buy anything and if a seller is not forthcoming or seems bothered that you are asking a lot of questions, walk away. It’s generally a fantastic community, but you should protect yourself and your hard-earned money.
What’s your best tip for finding a hidden gem?
Ask a dealer what piece they’re most excited about or what’s an interesting recent find of theirs. Also, always look for original signatures, look at pieces in natural light, whether that’s looking at a painting in the sun so you can see the actual brushstrokes or turning something over in your hand to see the makers’ mark. Learn as much as you can; watch programmes, read books, follow accounts on Instagram, you will learn so much.
Which antique markets in the UK (or slightly further afield) are your favourites?
I love IACF Newark because it still attracts European dealers. But recently I’ve been preferring smaller local fairs in Suffolk, Norfolk and Essex and at private estates. Always a winner is Paris, and only a Eurostar ride away.
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