Anuji Varma looks at the highlights of this weekend’s Antiques for Everyone show.

A private collection of silverware crafted by Matthew Boulton and a teapot once owned by Agatha Christie are among the highlights at the Antiques For Everyone show this weekend.

The show at Birmingham’s NEC until Sunday marks its 25th anniversary and to celebrate there will be unique features from Birmingham’s Assay Office and collectors at the event.

There will be more than 300 specialist antique dealers with around 50,000 pieces available to buy.

Those on show include Matthew Boulton pieces that have previously been kept under lock and key including a beautifully crafted wine jug.

“The collection we will have on show is usually a private one,” says Dr Sally Baggott, curator for the Assay Office which is based in the Jewellery Quarter.

“The public can only view it by appointment at the Assay Office, so this is a great way to see the items.

“We will also have lots of other things on display which are not normally on show. These include 18th century silver toys, made up of vinaigrettes, buckles and buttons.

‘‘The Assay Office will exhibit arts and crafts items too. There will be old pieces right through to modern products made this century.”

One of those includes a privately commissioned piece made by artist Theresa Nguyen which was inspired by Der Rosenkavelier Opera.

Dr Baggott adds: “The silver industry demonstrates continuity; things that were happening 200 years ago are still happening today at the Jewellery Quarter with experts having to deal with vast changes in technology.”

The show is split into two sections, with one offering expensive merchandise and the other featuring a more affordable range.

Exhibitor Ken Bull, who runs John Bull Antiques in New Bond Street, London, has been coming to the show for 15 years and will also display Matthew Boulton pieces, which he says he will also consider selling if the price is right.

“I think the changes I have noticed over the years with the show is that it has become considerably smaller,” he explains. “Some may think this is a good thing and others not. This is because of the vetting process.”

Each stallholder’s items are inspected by a member from the vetting committee to make sure they are legitimate before the doors open to the public.

This is a job headed by chairman Peter Wein and can sometimes even lead to some exhibitors leaving the show if their products are not up to standard.

Another regular to the fair is Elizabeth Nicolson, from Solihull. She attends the show three times a year since 2001.

She will bring along her prized piece – a Georgian teapot that once belonged to Agatha Christie. It comes with a price tag of £1,495, but it is the genuine article.

“There are various ways that sellers acquire pieces and going to auctions is one of them, that is how I came across the teapot. As an expert who has experience in silverware I know when an item is bona fide. The industry does tend to be carved up by specialists and this means they can concentrate in one area. However because of recent TV programmes you do find some members of the public who believe that they know more, when in fact they don’t.”

Event director Tiffany Pritchard said: “I want to thank our exhibitors and visitors for their support over the last 25 years and hope we continue to prosper into our golden years.”

* The Antiques for Everyone Summer fair is at the NEC until Sunday. For advanced bookings call 0844 581 0827 or go to www.antiquesforeveryone.co.uk