WOKING.- As cross-border trade with the European Union becomes more difficult and expensive in the wake of Brexit, art and antiques businesses in the UK have started to turn their attention more to the domestic scene. What new areas will they seize on to build interest in collecting?

One is toys, already a popular field, but now attracting greater interest because of its crossover potential as Folk Art. Traditionally, Folk Art is considered to be made up of idiosyncratic items, usually crafted by hand, that have emerged from individual cultures around the world, but the rise of retro chic means that its boundaries are gradually expanding.

Typically, pieces that have outlived their original purpose but are striking in their colour and design, and elicit fond memories of better times gone by, fit the bill nicely, especially if they can be viewed as sculptural conversation pieces that bring focus and interest to an interior.

“There has been a lot of talk about looking for new opportunities within the British market,” said Ewbank’s Auctions partner Alastair McCrea. “Anything that has an attractive design element to it and the potential to capture the attention of people of various ages and interests should start to do really well.

“If buying and selling manages to avoid the costs and paperwork of import and export, that will add to their attraction. While we will always look to source the best pieces from wherever they may be, making more of what we already have within the country is the next logical step.”

This Lines Bros London Transport six-wheeler Omnibus by Tri-ang Toys is a case in point. With inside staircase, red steel disc wheels and rubber tyres, it stands 41cm high and is 74cm long, giving it the substantial size required for an impressive centrepiece for a shelf or table in a modern interior.

It will be offered for sale in the Toys & Models auction at Ewbank’s in Surrey on February 24, with an estimate of £200-400.

Live bidding will be available online at www.ewbankauctions.co.uk