LAPADA - THE ASSOCIATION OF ART & ANTIQUES DEALERS

LAPADA - The Association of Art & Antiques Dealers is the UK’s largest association of professional dealers in antiques and works of art. Since it was formed in 1974, LAPADA’s membership has grown to some 700 member dealers spread throughout the UK together with a smaller number of overseas members in twelve countries. Membership is open only to those who meet the Association’s strict requirements as to experience, quality of stock and knowledge of their subject. Between them members cover virtually every discipline ranging from antiquities to contemporary fine art.

All LAPADA members agree to abide by the Association’s strict Code of Practice that ensures, among other things, that all items for sale in a member’s shop or at a fair must be clearly and correctly labelled including the price: LAPADA members are not permitted to use confusing codes. When buying from a LAPADA member you will be given a written invoice stating their trading name, address and telephone number, date of sale, brief description of the item(s) - including the approximate date, any major restoration or alteration to the item since original manufacture - and the price paid.

LAPADA members can be found at all major fairs throughout the UK and overseas. In addition there are two fairs each year organised exclusively for LAPADA members, one in London and one in Cheltenham.

LAPADA offers a number of services designed to assist the public in buying and selling, exporting and caring for art and antiques.

These include:

The protection of a strict Code of Practice.
Conciliation in the unlikely event of a dispute.
Printed Membership Directory.
Internet site with full details of all members and other useful information on buying and selling antiques.
LAPADA Gift Vouchers and Wedding Present Service, the imaginative alternative to conventional presents. Vouchers may be used in all LAPADA members’ shops, galleries or when they are exhibiting at fairs.
Export information including names and addresses of shippers, and the issue of LAPADA Certificates of Age and of Origin for customs purposes.
Lists of members dealing in any particular discipline.
Making arrangements for authentication and valuation of individual pieces or collections.
A series of leaflets on the care of art and antiques.