For the love of vintage

In her new book, vintage dealer Michelle Mason shares how to curate a collection of pre-loved pieces, plus what to look out for on your next trip to an antiques market

- ANDRÉA CHILDS

Whether your vintage collection is limited to a handful of pieces or your passion for antiques has taken over your home, chances are you can remember the first piece you owned. And that's often how the obsession starts - with a keepsake or a favourite flea market find.

We collect to archive and conserve the past; drawn to the craftsmanship of everyday objects from previous times, attracted by items of beauty or with sentimental value, and bound to heirlooms passed down through generations.

Building and curating a collection takes time, consideration and financial input but raking through salvage yards and flea markets is, for most, the highlight of the collecting adventure.

Curating your collection

As a shopkeeper I think of each collection of vintage objects as a story waiting to unfold. Whether it's a portfolio of watercolours, a selection of vintage fabrics or an Edwardian dinner service, there is often a common theme such as colour, shape, size or age to be found among all sorts of random pieces. A theme helps to create a narrative, whether it's a personal collection or a group of objects for display in a shop. It's a good way to help focus your eye when starting to build a collection.

Another way to create focus is to build a display around your hero' piece - use a favourite item as a starting point and group with other items. It may be a Victorian lace panel displayed with similar vintage fabrics or an Art Deco cocktail shaker arranged with beautiful glassware. Let your interests guide your choices and you'll soon see a pattern emerge.

Planning a buying trip