Find a gem at antique and art fair

EVERY generation carries its own special memory through time.

Your grandfather will tell you how DIY jobs around the house were done with the good old hammer and nail and with his beloved Stanley tools, or haul out that flint lighter he used when everyone was into cigarettes.

Grandma will tearfully recall the wonderful smells from her kitchen as she kneaded dough to make fresh bread in her Aga stove or bring out that Royal Albert tea set she used when entertaining friends.

Your mom will talk about the excitement of getting her first Barbie doll or have you in stitches when she tells you to pick up or put down the phone – referring to the action of picking up the old receiver of a landline telephone.

And dad will tell you about his collection of “dinky toy cars” and early comic books; how important faxes and floppy discs were in his day and how he progressed from vinyl to cassettes when listening to the Beatles or the Rolling Stones.

We all, no matter our age, remember things or fads we had at certain times of our lives.

It is only when we browse through an antique fair and see things we took for granted way back then – that we marvel at how the world has progressed – but more importantly we recall the good old times.

Preserving that memory and passing it on is what collecting is all about.

The National Antiques and Decorative Arts Faire (Naada) which raised the bar with their prestigious antique fairs for almost 20 years, set a new trend two years ago by moving its annual three-day fair to the elegant Crystal Court at the Mall of Africa.

This “retail-tainment” trend, popular around the world, was followed by the likes of fashion week, symphony concerts and art collectives – who all recognised the importance of moving their events to the heart of where people shop and are entertained.

After two successful years at the Mall of Africa, this successful formula will see the Naada Faire held twice a year (in autumn and spring) in the Crystal Court of the Mall of Africa, incorporating large furniture stands with elegant table-top dealers – the first antique and decorative arts fair taking place from Friday to Sunday with a prestigious opening night to be held on Thursday from 7pm.

In addition to investment antiques, you’ll find china, silver and glassware beautifully crafted by some of the world’s top craftsmen, silversmiths and potters, some going back to the 1800s.

Bookings can be made through www.naada.co.za.

For additional information, contact Giuli on 083 377 6721 or Clyde on 082 883 4933.

Entry is free.