Charlotte Packer, Editor
Welcome to the May issue of H&A! This month we consider collections in all their forms, from the 2,300- odd works of art held by the National Gallery (p31) – arguably one of the most important art collections in the world – to more personal passions, such as Murray Pollinger’s fascination with Staffordshire potter, Samuel Alcock, which Willa Latham discusses on page 93.
Displaying the pieces we collect is one of life’s great joys, as we explore in our feature on page 23. Lapada’s CEO, Freya Simms, points out that ‘the careful placing of objects can transform the atmosphere in a room’, which is clearly demonstrated in all four of this month’s houses (from p43). However, a really thoughtfully presented collection has many advantages beyond the purely aesthetic: it can help make sense of what we’ve amassed, offer a chance to refine future searches and, for completists, it’s an opportunity to take stock and spot the gaps. More often than not, it’s also a marvellous excuse to continue! With that in mind, turn to page 26 for Jenny Oldaker’s guide to making the most of the antiques you love.
For textile enthusiasts, Celia Rufey points the way to expert dealers with very specific specialisms; people worth knowing about if you want to narrow your focus within this field, or perhaps expand the scope of a more general interest (p88). Elsewhere, Luke Honey makes the case for collecting auction catalogues (p90): invaluable for researching provenance and market value, they are fascinating social documents, too. And finally, if you’ve been inspired by the story of the National Gallery and now long for a gallery wall of your own, turn to page 100 for our feature on how to start collecting art. Enjoy!
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