Friends of the Decorative Fair, The House Directory caught up with Markies Antiques, long-term exhibitors at our Fair.
They specialise in Art Deco, which is now a century old, but Markies Antiques is a family business, started by Trudie Markies in 1981, and is now run by her son Jeroen Markies, and his son Jacob Markies.
Trudie’s shop sold a wide range of items, from christening and wedding gifts to jewellery, porcelain, tableware and furniture. The tables would be filled with photo frames, candlesticks, French paperweights and linen.
At the Decorative Fair
By 2000 Jeroen noticed that traditional antiques were giving way to a growing interest in 20th century design, including Arts & Crafts, Art, and particularly Art Deco. The appeal of Art Deco had always been its clean lines and comparatively modern look, an aesthetic that would become an important part of their business. Normally, the quality pieces will have a show wood veneer such as burr walnut, bird’s eye maple or satinwood, veneered onto a high-quality hardwood such as mahogany. Particularly with English Art Deco, the lines and designs are softer than their continental counterparts. For this reason, you now see these pieces used in a variety of interior styles, from antique interiors to modern interiors and so on.
Jacob joined the business in 2018 and says “I’ve always loved Mid Century Scandinavian and Italian design, but I must be honest and say that my dad and I agree on most things. Quality furniture and sculpture from any period is more important to both of us than a specific style. I have been a big fan of Betty Joel since I first saw a chest of drawers designed by her earlier in my career. For a woman in the 1920s and 30s to make her mark as a furniture designer, but also to produce, in my opinion, superb quality and unique pieces is truly impressive.”
Read the whole illustrated article @thehousedirectory.com
Visitors at The Decorative Fair
Stand shot from the Decorative Fair
