Curios and Curioser

Welcome to the brand-new section of the Christleton website where curios, collectibles and classic of all shapes, sizes and provenances will be allowed to shine. My name is Philip Harland, I have been infatuated with antiques of all kinds since my early 20’s, many, many years before the internet, when the only way to get to see (and buy) relics was to tour the antique shops and auction houses of the North West and, for better or worse make the deal.

Over the years ‘antiques’ have, of course been a dynamic and ever-changing quarry: my own father was dismissive of Victoriana and considered that only Georgian (and earlier), until about 1840 to be worthy. I, and many others of 1950’s and 1960’s birthdays got pretty excited about Victorian ‘brown’ furniture: in 2025 you can’t give it away!

Antique means, according to collective belief, at least 100 years old. Any artefact, then from pre-2025 can be considered a genuine antique which, of course makes it infinitely desirable….or does it? Why is one collector’s array of porcelain figurines another person’s clutter nightmare? What makes one individual seek out a single, statement item and another go for a crowd? Why might a 1970’s plastic toy fetch more interest on eBay than a well-painted 1920’s watercolour?

In this series of illustrated articles I will delve into, not only the fascinating history of some delicious artefacts from the past (and the highly skilled craftspeople who created them) but also their desirability, past and present.

Chester is, indisputably one of the UK’s most historically important cities: the Romans, after all were totally convinced! There will be plenty of references here to the many ‘locals’ who have helped put our lovely city on the map of the antique world.