As reported in this week’s Dealers’ Diary (page 46), Jupiter Antiques is holding the first spring exhibition in its 35-year history. It takes place within an outside organised event (Penman Fairs), The Chelsea Antiques Fair. Five collections feature, including hundreds of pieces put together by the late Dr Trevor Darling, who died last year. Ahead of the fair Jupiter Antiques has paid tribute to him.
Dr Trevor Darling (1936-2018) was an academic collector. He liked the mysteries of the attribution of unmarked pieces. He once remarked that just like his day job, “it was the diagnosis that intrigued him”.
We first met him in January 1993 at the London Ceramics Fair in the Cumberland Hotel, where he purchased a Worcester butter cooler from us. We built up a good relationship, particularly as we exhibited at several fairs in his area including the fondly remembered Goodwood House Antiques Fair.