As a third generation antiques dealer, neither I nor any of the previous family owners of my business attempted membership in any prestigious associations with fellow antiques dealers.  I certainly don’t want to think of dealers as a “bad lot” of gentlemen; maybe I wouldn’t make the grade too.  However, it is the existing way they are organized that prevents dealers from being able to achieve goals with good aspirations.

Below I’ve compiled some position statements from leading art and antiques dealers organizations.  They are all great objectives and need the united backing (for the benefit) of all dealers.  Getting everyone under one roof sounds incongruous, but if the methods don’t match the goals, dealers should try to revamp them.

C.I.N.O.A. (LA CONFÉDÉRATION INTERNATIONALE DES NÉGOCIANTS EN OEUVRES D’ART)

Bind their dealer members to adhere to reputable standards of quality and expertise

Facilitating the legitimate circulation of art throughout the world

Disseminating practical information on the art market

Proactively supports measures which aim to eliminate traffic in stolen antiques and works of art

Takes an active part in speaking on issues which impact the market sector’s economy

LAPADA (The Association of Art and Antique Dealers)  

Works to maintain a flourishing art and antiques trade

Keep UK in the forefront of the international market

Vital to dealers faced with increasing national and European legislation as well as financial, regulatory and marketing pressure

Lobbies national and local authorities over current and proposed legislation to ensure that the interests of dealers, both large and small are considered at the highest level

BADA (The British Antique Dealers’ Association)

Set standard(s) for trading in the antiques business

ADAA (Antiques Dealers’ Association of America)

Dedicated to integrity, honesty and ethical conduct of the antiques trade

NAADAA (National Antique & Art Dealers Association of America)

Safeguard the interest of those who buy, sell, or collect antiques and works of art

To promote the best interest of the antiques and art trade

To promote the just honorable and ethical trade practices

AADLA (The Art & Antiques Dealers League of America)

Devoted exclusively to the best interests of the dealers and buyers of antiques and works of art

VARIOUS ANTIQUES ASSOCIATIONS WORLDWIDE:

To dedicate itself to the study and the protection of the interests of the trade

To oversee the issues, propriety and development of the trade

Assist in trade developments with the rest of the world

Stimulating the art market

Safeguarding the purchaser of antiques

Assurance that the customer’s invoice will contain a fair description of the article sold

To inspire the public’s confidence in its members

Aim to bring antiques into the lives of everybody