British Antique Dealers' Association


The British Antique Dealers' Association was founded in London, 1918. It is a trade association for antique dealers in Britain. Customers can bring complaints against members to the governing body who have the power to revoke membership from an offending business and ban them from participating at various art fairs around the world.
The President of the Association is Victoria Borwick, who served as the Conservative MP for Kensington from 2015 until losing her seat in 2017.

Ivory controversy

The British Antique Dealers' Association has strongly opposed moves for a total ban on the sale and trading of ivory. In 2016 the President of the group, Victoria Borwick, then also serving as an MP, told the House of Commons that "any ban on antique ivory is cultural vandalism". Other MPs criticised Borwick's comments with Rachael Maskell, the Labour MP describing them as "objectionable".
Ahead of the 2017 United Kingdom general election the Conservative Party scrapped their promise for a total ban on the sale of ivory. Several commentators accused the party of bowing to "powerful and wealthy lobbyists".

Art Fairs

BADA organise their own yearly art fair as well as helping in assuring the quality of goods at other art fairs.