As antiques buffs go, James Stanton is unusual. From a David Hockney first edition book to Cartier timepieces, Tiffany jewels and more, FEMAIL takes a look at Mr Stanton’s impressive antiques collection – and finds out how he picks out the very best vintage pieces. I bought it, had it re-framed in a gallery-style look with UV resistant glazing. While he doesn’t sell many of the vintage pieces he acquires, the 22-year-old is aware that much of what he owns is an ‘investment’ that could be sold later on. Mr Stanton told Daily Mail Australia that he first got into antiques when he was a child. The 22-year-old, from Kangaroo Point in Queensland, is a young antiques afficionado who spends his free time scouring markets, fairs and auctions for beautiful antiques. By the time he was eleven, Mr Stanton was already visiting antique shops with his mum – and his first purchase was a piece of ‘blue Wedgwood jasperware’. I found his first ever edition of “The Itchy Owl” at the tail end of a small auction in Melbourne and acquired it for just over $100. Eric was a highly acclaimed Australia artist who during the war years started making his own linocut Christmas cards for family and friends. I’m now working with one of Queensland’s finest antique stores, The Antique Guild, where we have an enormous collection of pieces dating right back to very early Chinese dynasties,’ Mr Stanton said. While he admitted that he is ‘not an expert’, the 22-year-old said that ‘from a very early age my parents and grandparents nurtured my interest in design, antiques and pieces of value’. As a child, I took a great interest in my mother’s jewellery – and which pieces she would wear each day,’ he told FEMAIL. These days, he collects everything – from first edition books to silver spoons, Art Deco dishes, Cartier watches, Tiffany jewels and more. One of my luckiest personal finds of late was an Eric Thake print. It was in a horrendous frame, which initially would have put many people off it.
If you’re as magpie-like about jewellery as I am, you’ll always be on the lookout for new brands and original pieces to add to your collection. Their goal is to make pieces that ‘will be your go-to for years to come’. But along with the prominent brands we all know and love, there are a load of under-the-radar gems (no pun intended) out there just waiting to be discovered. If you love keeping things unique and prefer to shop independent, these jewellery brands are worth checking out and keeping in mind for your next purchase. This British brand was launched in the autumn of 2024 by Tofi Caroline Adedoyin, a former investment banking director. There are so many amazing affordable and mid-range jewellery brands out there today, with a plethora of choice no matter what your style. All Grove & Vae jewellery is designed in London, and created using 14k gold vermeil and rhodium-plated sterling silver. The brand’s founders, sisters Christie and Rosanna Wollenberg, believe you shouldn’t just save beautiful jewellery for best, so the sculptural rings and earrings are as practical as they are elegant. Tilly Sveaas founded her eponymous brand in 2016. Born in Hong Kong to British-Norwegian parents, London-based Tilly has been a jewellery designer for over 25 years, creating her first pieces during an extended trip to Bali, where she still produces to this day. Her signature T-bar necklaces have been worn by the likes of Taylor Swift. Otiumberg positions itself as a demi-fine jewellery brand.
Think timeless glamour meets modern minimalism, without the unattainable price tag.
