Speaker
Eric Knowles
Eric Knowles is one of the nation’s best known antiques experts who has shared his expertise with the BBC's ‘Antiques Roadshow’ and radio programmes for over 20 years. A writer and TV presenter Eric has the rare skill of being able to convey his expertise in a manner that is both entertaining and informative. Eric Knowles delivers highly entertaining talks and memorable presentations on all thing to do with Antiques.
About Eric Knowles
Eric Knowles describes his after luncheon and dinner speeches as ‘infotainment’. This is because they are an eclectic mix of sound knowledge, observational humour and the odd shaggy dog story. Thus guaranteeing that the audiences always leaves with a smile on their faces.
Eric Knowles is probably best known for his appearances across three decades on BBC Televisions ‘Antiques Roadshow’. He was also on our screens competing in the successful daytime antiques challenge ‘Put Your Money Where Your Mouth Is’. Having spent 36 years working for a top London auction house, he now works as an independent valuer and lecturer from his base in the Chiltern Hills. Over the years he has lectured extensively in many important museums and galleries not only in the UK but also Australia, Canada, the USA and South Africa.
He has written over 10 books covering subjects such as ‘Victoriana’, ‘Royal Memorabilia’, ‘Art Nouveau’, ‘Art Deco’ and ‘Rene Lalique’ whilst a regular columnist for various magazines. He was the ‘Sunday Times’ antiques expert and was is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts, and an ambassador for the Princes Trust as well as a patron of several other charities.
Confessions of an Auctioneer
I always try to ‘look on the bright side of life’ and consequently my talk is a light hearted look at my journey through life – so far. Yes it tends to centre around my career in the world of antiques but also takes into account my early years growing up in the Pennines of north east Lancashire and the characters I have encountered along the way. Despite having attended the Fred Dibner school of elocution, before graduating from the Russell Harty finishing school for hopeless cases, I reveal how I managed to make the cultural leap from Burnley to Bonhams and the BBC.
Roadshow and other anecdotal tales are offered alongside ad lib observational humour that invariably provide the desired effect especially when performed to an all female audience aged between 40 and then those just that little bit nearer to God. I just hope that nobody actually dies laughing!
