Why we do it

After several years of buying and selling antiques we decided to turn our passion into a proper business and in 2017 we started ForkHandles Antiques, armed with Church Pews, Enamel Signs and Industrial Furniture. Fork Handles Antiques now offers online purchasing from our base in Totnes, Devon.

Our journey had begun and we soon realised our passion for antiques was more than just buying and selling; history, craftsmanship and how pieces came to be, really started to influence our choices when buying.

We invest time, effort and mileage when sourcing, looking for that something different, those one offs that catch the eye and make you smile.

“Antiques aren’t just items from yesteryear, dealers are ‘sustainable temporary custodians" We can learn so much by researching, re-using, and restoring.

We hope you like our website. Please browse our products and feel free to get in touch to discuss any items you’re interested in.

Who’s Matt? 

The antiques business was founded by Matt Bates in 2017, who has a lifelong passion for all things antique and collectable. He’s often seen at Auctions, Antique Fairs and Flee Markets across the country, chatting to fellow dealers normally with a cup of coffee in hand.

Matt has been involved with several start-ups, gaining valuable experience along the way understanding customer wants and needs - offering transparency in a confusing world, now applying this philosophy to the antiques sector.

When he’s not buying and selling antiques Matt’s focusing on his other passion, Original Posters, bundled up with family life, paddle boarding, tennis, dog walks on the beach in his home county of Devon followed by a pub lunch.