New Centre for the Study of the Art and Antiques Market

A new research centre has been launched at the University of Leeds for the study of the art and antiques market, led by Dr Mark Westgarth at the School of Fine Art, History of Art and Cultural Studies.

The Centre for the Study of the Art and Antiques Market (CSAAM) is the first of its kind, both nationally and internationally, with a specific focus on the history of the trade in both art and antiques. It will enable interdisciplinary study of the art and antiques markets and will also encourage dialogue with external partners, such as museums and business organisations.

Dr Mark Westgarth, the Centre’s Director, said: ‘There has been increased interest in the study of the art market over the past 10 years and the new Centre is a response to these evolving interests ― plus the key driver has been the donation of the extraordinary range of antique dealer archives to Special Collections at the Brotherton Library, University of Leeds.’

The Centre has been set up following the success of a three year AHRC funded project led by Dr Westgarth, Antique Dealers: the British Antique Trade in the 20th Century, a cultural geography. Using previously unexplored archives, the project investigated the evolving business practices of the antiques trade as it evolved and developed over the twentieth century. Researchers also undertook a series of oral history interviews to create a new oral history archive of interviews with retired, semi-retired and working antiques dealers.

A public conference focused on the history of the antiques trade is planned for the spring of 2016, to be held at Temple Newsam House in Leeds.

See here for more information about the Centre for the Study of the Art and Antiques Market and the archives to be hosted there.

Images from top:
M. Harris, 40-54 New Oxford St., London, 1921 - Connoisseur, 1921
Blairman & Sons, London, stand at Grosvenor House Antiques Fair 1950