Meet the Vendor
Doug Graham of Old Fangled Cool sells fine art, antiquities, decorative tribal art and quality furniture. Doug’s is one of the first booths you’ll see as you enter The Hill Antique Market, and—fair warning—you’ll need some time to admire all the old world wonders he brings in!
The Hill Antique Market: The merchandise in your booth is so eclectic! It’s fun to look at. How would you describe it?
Graham: I swim at the deep end of the pool! I look for high quality, the unusual. The uncanny, when I can find it. While I favor fine art, antiquities, tribal and quality furniture, pretty much anything not-antique-mall-typical is my specialty.
THAM: What’s the difference between decorative and authentic tribal art?
Graham: I learned from a collector/dealer how to divine authentic material from the works of contemporary artists attempting to mimic ancient forms. It comes down to condition. How worn is the piece? It is worn where it should be? Is the surface encrusted? I’m educated in “patina literacy,” which tells you if a piece is worthy of curation and sale at a major auction house, or is a purely decorative item more appropriately sold for a modest price for display on someone’s wall. Patina literacy takes years to cultivate. I’ve blown time, effort and money acquiring it, and make stupid mistakes even now. Mistakes are a hazard that go with the business.
THAM: What do you enjoy most about working in the antiques business?
Graham: The thrill of discovery! I love stumbling on some potentially spectacular object, then having that instinct confirmed by research. It’s exciting as hell and very validating. I have journalistic training and experience, and my investigative background has offered an unexpected segue into the world of antiques. I’m often asked to ID stuff for estate sellers, presale, a service I offer at no charge. All I ask is first dibs on things I like. Recently, I was invited to check out “unsolds” at an online auction. I spotted a terra cotta statue I recognized as Japanese. I identified the piece for the auctioneer and happily paid a fair price for it. When I got it home, the artifact turned out to be a rare funeral effigy roughly dating to the Third Century. Talk about thrilling!
THAM: What do you like most about selling at The Hill Antique Market?
Graham: The cool setting—more gallery than antique mall—sophisticated and welcoming.
