Specialists In Lockdown | Alexander Hallett

By way of a little light relief, we are launching a series of brief articles under the banner Specialists in Lockdown. Find out how our valuers and experts are filling their days during the current restrictions.

The first chat is with Alexander Hallett from our Fine Interiors team, an auctioneer and valuer who has a strong interest in Furniture, Works of Art and Asian Art.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next instalment where will be chatting with our fabulous auctioneer and valuer Briony Harford!

How are you keeping busy in lockdown?

I have been cooking like a maniac! Like everyone else in the world I have tried my hand at sourdough, and have been eating loads of lovely fresh fish, of which there is plenty down in Dorset where I have been self-isolating with my family. At this time of year there is lots of wild garlic about, so I have been trying out some new recipes, some successful and some not so successful…

Do you have a favourite self-isolation recipe you can share with us?

This is a really delicious salad dressing: 

1 tin of anchovies

A glug of olive oil

A teaspoon or two of mustard

The juice of a lemon

Parsley

Capers

Either chop the anchovies, capers and parsley or whizz the whole thing up in a food processor. I don’t think I’ll ever dress a salad with anything else ever again! 

What is saving your sanity during lockdown?

I’ve been reading a lot, mainly antiques books on areas of the market about which I’d like to know more. That and our family’s newly established cocktail hour!

Which online exhibition/gallery viewing room or other Internet offering has caught your eye?

I have really enjoyed that prominent dealers and figures from the industry have been letting us into their homes via Instagram to talk about their personal collections and their influences. Philip Mould’s ‘Art in Isolation’ series in particular has been fascinating! The Met’s virtual tours and exhibitions are stunning, too!

You can contact Alex on alexanderhallett@sworder.co.uk | 01279 817778