Penman Antiques Fairs offer small and interesting events for the discriminating buyer and seller of good quality, genuine antiques, mainly pre-20th Century (with exceptions).

Visitors are offered authenticated (vetted) antiques & works of art, attractively displayed by between 30 and 60 professional antique and art dealers from across Britain. Prices will vary from £50 to £35,000.  Venues offer attractive surroundings,  parking (except at Chelsea), catering etc.

Exhibitors are offered a well-promoted platform from which they can sell their goods, which must conform to Penman standards. Sub-standard pieces will be rejected and must be removed from display. Vetting and conduct guidelines are available. VAT registration is not essential, but most exhibitors are registered, and members of LAPADA or BADA

Penman Art Fairs offer small and interesting events with 30-45 stands, for discriminating buyers and sellers of good quality paintings, sculptures, ceramics etc from the past 75 years, but mainly from the most recent 25 years and Contemporary works.       

Visitors can expect to be offered works by acclaimed artists alongside lesser known names and fresh talent, so prices may vary from £100 to £15,000. Currently only Chelsea and Chester are venues for Art Fairs, but we hope to add one or two in 2008. Venues usually offer attractive surrooundings, good parking & catering etc.

 Exhibitors are offered a well-promoted platform in which to hang their works for sale. Stands are open to galleries as opposed to individual artists, though groups of co-operating artists with shared virtual or occasional exhibitions may be accepted. There is a selection committee who have to pass applicants before they are offered a stand.

History:

Caroline Penman became an antiques dealer when she was 18!

Penman Antiques Fairs grew from 1967, with a home village hall fair (Lindfield), through Ardingly, Shepton Mallet, The National Collectors' Fair, to the smart standfitted and strictly vetted fairs that we see today.

The ART Fairs started in 1996, with the CHELSEA Art Fair, followed by an experimental series of provincial Art Fairs in 1996. None but Chelsea seriously took off. 

Prospective Exhibitors should email Penmans with a brief outline of their stock, and an indication of which fair interests them.

Stands are available to professional dealers and galleries. VAT registration is not essential, but it is a help. Penmans need to check the prospective exhibitor's knowledge, integrity, and depth and quality of stock before offering a stand.

As exhibitors normally re-book their stands from year to year, there are waiting lists at some fairs. We also try to keep a balance of disciplines. eg at Chester there are 5 jewellers, so no new jeweller can be admitted till one leaves.

Once on a waiting list, this is rolled over from year to year till we can find a place for you. However, the waiting list for Petersfield is so long that we have closed the list!