Dear Friends
Welcome to our May newsletter.
As many of you who follow my posts regularly will probably be aware I am a glass half full type of person, always looking for the positives whilst managing to somehow overcome the many negatives that can suffocate smaller businesses, usually with a modicum of success.
In this newsletter it would be remiss of me to not mention the latest updates on the Trump Tariffs for the benefit of my many US based clients, at least my understanding of what is an ever-evolving situation. The news initially dropped like a bombshell, as was no doubt the intention, I then breathed a small sigh of relief that the UK would be penalised by only 10% tariffs, that was until I was informed that it was the country of origin of the goods that are subject to tariffs as opposed to the country of export, as such I was left staring down the barrel of 24% tariffs on Japanese goods, with few exceptions.
As you might imagine a 24% tariff on Japanese works of art would in most cases prohibit me exporting to what is a significant market for me, with many good friends and clients as far afield as Seattle and LA in the west, across to Denver and of course the Big Apple in the East, naturally I was concerned as were my peers.
Just as the news was sinking in and with world markets in turmoil, the President does a quick about turn, suspending the more punitive tariffs for a 90 day window of opportunity to negotiate a trade deal, thus leaving the UK and Japan back at the 10% rate, the cynic in me might say this was part of a more elaborate plan, time will tell.
The good news for my US clients is that with tariffs currently set at 10%, though not ideal, it’s a figure that I can help mitigate, shipping export to any country is actually beneficial to my business, as such there are legitimate ways of me helping with these costs. Another important point to note is that certain antiques and artworks remain tariff free, currently books, pictures, prints and seemingly sculptures fall within this category.
In summary wherever you are based around the globe, if you are keen on an item and are concerned that you may be hit with tariffs, please reach out to me and I will do my best to advise and try to help mitigate those unnecessary costs. I remain hopeful that a tariff free trade deal on antiques can be achieved in the fullness of time.
The very first sale of April was the stunning silvered bronze cockatoo on stand by Mitani, this time staying in the UK to join a very fine collection of art including Japanese works of art supplied by us in the past, sincere thanks to that client for his continued and valued patronage.
According to the stats from the team running my IT and social media at The Antique Marketing Company, that cockatoo received an incredibly high amount of hits. I am not surprised it was charming, in fact I had to apologise to one or two disgruntled clients that had missed it, on this occasion the early bird actually got the bird, as opposed to the worm.
One of our standout sales last month was this stunning cloisonne enamel vase by the Imperial enamellist Namikawa Yasuyuki, the vase was in immaculate condition and even retained its original stand. It has now left these shores to join the collection of an Australian family. Thank you for placing your trust in me from so many thousands of miles away, I hope the vase provides you with years of pleasure.
There was literally no bigger sale agreed last month than that of our monumental elephant group by Sano Takachika, destined to return to mainland Europe where it had spent much of its life in one family ownership, thank you to that long standing client for shouldering the responsibility of moving this 185kg beast, it will be sorely missed.
In other news, the proposed Autumn exhibition catalogue is coming together nicely, I am almost at that point of informing Steve Hayes, our production and graphic design guru, that he is about to help us produce the 2025 edition. Ideally, I would like another couple of market fresh pieces in the bag before making that final decision, I am ever hopeful of the next call revealing a masterpiece. April has been very rewarding to be fair and work continues at a pace to find the missing pieces to the jigsaw.
This months featured item provides you the opportunity to purchase this exceptional condition fine quality gilt bronze vase by the highly regarded Miyao Eisuke of Yokohama, a vase that recently formed part of an extensive UK gentleman’s collection.
And finally, for now, Ted is licking his lips in anticipation of opening his Easter Egg, just wish I could have said the same about my eggs, or lack thereof ☹️
Best wishes
Steve