LAPADA

LAPADA is much more than an online antique store. It is the Association of Art and Antiques Dealers and has been a hallmark of quality in the world of antiques since 1974. The golden chandelier symbol displayed in a shop window or at a trade fair signifies membership of the Association, and with over 500 members, it is the largest association of professional art and antiques dealers in the UK. Members cover virtually every discipline from antiques to contemporary fine art.

With such a wide range of items for sale on LAPADA's online marketplace, it can be hard to know where to start! One can go straight to "Items for Sale" and be presented with a list of every item currently in LAPADA's inventory, which is over 30,000 antiques. The general categories listed in LAPADA's online store are Furniture, Art, Jewelry, Silver, Ceramics, Glass, Watches, and more. Under each of these categories are many more subcategories, making it easy to narrow down your search if you are looking for something specific.

Buyers can be absolutely sure of authenticity and quality when shopping on LAPADA's online marketplace. When you purchase from a LAPADA member, you will receive a written invoice that includes the member's business name, address and telephone number, the date of sale, a brief description of the item(s) - including the approximate date of any major restoration or modification to the item since its original manufacture - and the price paid. All members have agreed to abide by a strict code of conduct and in the unlikely event of a dispute, the Association offers a free arbitration service.

Membership in LAPADA, and therefore the ability to list items for sale in this prestigious online store, is not easy. Dealers must have at least three years of professional experience and two referees, one of whom must be a LAPADA member. There is an annual fee for membership, which comes with a number of benefits, including legal assistance, discounted insurance, access to seminars and more. There is also an initial registration fee of £200.

LAPADA has been hailed by the Financial Times as "a trustworthy site that promises accuracy and authenticity along with a wealth of historical information. There is no doubt that this is the place to look for antiques of the highest quality. Collectors can easily navigate the site to focus on specific types of items and are put in direct contact with the dealers themselves to make purchases. With so much historical information, it is also a great educational resource for antiques.